Death on the Nile (2022)

Belgian sleuth Hercule Poirot boards a glamorous river steamer with enough champagne to fill the Nile. But his Egyptian vacation turns into a thrilling search for a murderer when a picture-perfect couple’s idyllic honeymoon is tragically cut short.

Review:

The accents were so fake they were ridiculous. The two hour, seven minute run time was too long. And the denouement was far too quickly explained, considering it was quite complex.

Death on the Nile waits almost an hour into the movie before there is an actual death… a murder mystery that is focused much more on the shallow lives of its wealthy aristocrats rather than solving the murder mystery. The mystery is fairly stereotypical and easy to figure out. The film is dreadfully slow making the 2 hour run time feel more like 3 hours. If you enjoyed Murder on the Orient Express, you will probably enjoy the expanded characterization of Kenneth Branagh’s Hercule Poirot amidst the spectacular set pieces and wardrobe of the 1930s. Mix in superstar Gal Gadot and some other up and coming talented actors and the Death on the Nile rises from absolute bore to tolerable.

An ending you can spot miles away from. Who the hell wrote this script? They need to be fired. And for the love of God why, just why did they put in that weird uncomfortable dance scene!

Devotees of the Ustinov version of this Christie novel (I am one), may be disappointed. That version had scenery, superb humour and outstanding performances from a diamond cast and came over as hugely entertaining. Whilst this is beautifully shot, I can’t help thinking that Branagh overcooks it and there are poorly cast actors elsewhere. Also there are a couple of moments that look just wrong. That said, if you’re seeing this story for the first time, it’ll definitely hold your attention.

I liked Murder on the Orient Express and expected much of the same here, but it didn’t quite grab me in the same way. A strong cast and some good individual performances, but it didn’t quite come together. There’s a back story, but not sure what that really added. Maybe I missed something.