British actor Louis Partridge has found himself at the center of an online firestorm following a recent promotional interview for his upcoming film, Enola Holmes 3. The 23-year-old star is facing intense criticism from social media users who have labeled his remarks toward co-star Millie Bobby Brown as dismissive and condescending .

The controversy erupted after a clip from a PopSugar interview began circulating on X. In the video, Brown and Partridge were asked to name their songs of the summer. Brown enthusiastically responded by singing Zara Larsson's "Midnight Sun." Partridge's subsequent reaction—questioning what the song was and making comments about finding something "pop-y" for her to understand—was quickly interpreted by viewers as belittling .

The exchange has been further fueled by Partridge's recent split from Grammy-winning pop star Olivia Rodrigo. The couple reportedly ended their two-year relationship in December 2025 . Rodrigo's new album, You Seem Pretty Sad for a Girl So in Love, which she has described as a "time capsule" of a relationship's rise and fall, has led many fans to search for clues about their breakup within her lyrics .

Fans have also pointed to a separate clip where Partridge appeared to take a jab at Taylor Swift during a music knowledge quiz with Brown. His remark about not knowing a Swift song, coupled with the word "fortunately," was seen by some as a subtle dig potentially connected to Swift's rumored feud with Rodrigo . This has led to speculation that Partridge remains loyal to his ex-girlfriend despite their split .

While the backlash has been significant, others have come to Partridge's defense, suggesting that his dynamic with Brown is built on a long-standing, sibling-like friendship. Brown herself has previously stated that they "regress into our younger selves" when together, and Partridge has echoed that they share a relationship akin to brother and sister .

Despite the negative reaction, the conversation has notably boosted the film's visibility online. Partridge and Brown have also recently shared lighter moments, including Partridge recalling a disastrous audition where he nearly passed out from singing, much to Brown's amusement . Enola Holmes 3, which follows the young detective to Malta, is now available on Netflix .