You’re probably familiar with “iPhone face,” the modern trend of actors whose features feel a little too contemporary to be believable in period pieces.
There are tons of examples of this from recent years, and it’s safe to say that “iPhone face” — or “Instagram face,” as some call it — is becoming more of an issue with the increased popularity of fillers, Botox, and even dental veneers among Hollywood stars.
This week, Netflix released brand-new images from the third Enola Holmes movie, which comes out in July. The pics show Millie as the titular character, who, in case the name wasn’t enough of a giveaway, is the mystery-solving teenage sister of the already-famous detective Sherlock Holmes, played by Henry Cavill.
The film is set in the Victorian era, and with that vital detail in mind, fans have pointed out some slight inaccuracies in the mid-to-late-1800s styling.
Putting aside the ongoing speculation that Millie might have dabbled in some cosmetic work on her face, fans’ eyes were immediately drawn to her perfect, polished nails, which are especially visible in this photo.
Give or take, I’ve been getting my nails done about twice a month for the past 12 years, so I know a thing or two about manicures. And, based on the pics, it looks like Millie’s gone for an almond shape with a gel polish, at the very least, and possibly some acrylic extensions. (If I said the shade is giving OPI’s “Bubble Bath,” would that be a step too far? Maybe.)
Whatever the case, Millie’s nails certainly look very modern (I highly doubt that they’d figured out gel polish and UV/LED lamps in the 1800s), which has prompted fans to question how she was even allowed to show up to set with them.
One viral post with over 222,000 likes and 5.6 million views on X read: “pulling up to 1885 with a fresh gel set.” In the quotes, someone else added: “You’d think these movie executives would pay more attention to details knowing social media exists…”
Critics went even harder on the styling over on Reddit, where someone slammed Millie’s “fake nails” as “ridiculous” within the context of the movie. “Are the acrylic stiletto nails historically accurate?” another user wrote. “What the fuck are we doing here, girl?”
“How was this approved?” asked another. “Fake nails in the Victorian era?!”
Well, this certainly wouldn’t be the first time that a fresh set of acrylics made it into a Netflix period drama… Yes, Penelope Featherington of Bridgerton, I’m talking about you.
Let me know your thoughts on this in the comments.