Directed by:
Kenneth BranaghScreenplay:
Michael GreenCinematography:
Haris ZambarloukosComposer:
Patrick DoyleCast:
Kenneth Branagh, Gal Gadot, Armie Hammer, Tom Bateman, Letitia Wright, Emma Mackey, Sophie Okonedo, Russell Brand, Annette Bening, Ali Fazal, Rose Leslie (more)VOD (3)
Plots(1)
Belgian sleuth Hercule Poirot’s Egyptian vacation aboard a glamorous river steamer turns into a terrifying search for a murderer when a picture-perfect couple’s idyllic honeymoon is tragically cut short. Set against an epic landscape of sweeping desert vistas and the majestic Giza pyramids, this tale of unbridled passion and incapacitating jealousy features a cosmopolitan group of impeccably dressed travelers, and enough wicked twists and turns to leave audiences guessing until the final, shocking denouement. (Walt Disney Nordic Fin.)
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Reviews (12)
I enjoyed this movie in the cinema as opposed to the recent Murder on the Orient Express, which left me completely cold because it was simply a pretentious flamboyant parade of stars with no added value. The filmmakers did not shy away from somewhat tweaking the plot of Death on the Nile. So even though I already knew the end of the story quite well, I ended up being slightly surprised by its development, where the tone of the movie became indiscriminate and somewhat pessimistic. Thumbs up for that.
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At times Death on the Nile looks like a modern theatre play, at times like a largely impressive colouring book, which is inappropriate for a film of this type. The whole thing is a little bit flat, sweaty, going for power, or rather for effect. Branagh's Poirot is OK, but the rest of the cast is mostly jerking and prancing around. What's missing are real visuals, decent camera work, real sets and, most importantly, a better plot.
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Having seen the adaptations with both Peter Ustinov and David Suchet before, I approached the newest Death on the Nile as a properly described sheet of "papyrus". As a result, I couldn't fully appreciate the detective plot because I knew who was behind it all – but that's my problem. So I focused more on the acting, the visual presentation and any innovations to the source material and previous adaptations. In terms of the acting, Death on the Nile was embarrassing, even within the individual performances. From a visual point of view, however, the film definitely has something to offer, if only due to the setting in Egypt and on a boat, but some scenes seemed too artificial and contrived. Branagh's adaptation differs quite a bit from the book in its conception: the opening sequence depicting the origin of Poirot's moustache I could have easily been shortened or inserted as a flashback to the plot, and I was a bit bothered by the unnecessary sexualisation of the characters (sexual tension can be built up less blatantly). On the other hand, I didn't mind the slight changes to the characters in terms of gender, victims, etc. Death on the Nile is an appealing and modern take on Poirot, albeit set in the 1930s, which will surely be most appreciated by those unfamiliar with the source material and the other films, but I personally felt that it could have been handled differently (and better?).
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Death on the Nile has always had a bit of something luxurious, fantastic, and amazing within it. The adaptation with Ustinov made the brand famous. Later there was a series with Suchet. And this year, we can tick off the excellent new version with Branagh, which I waited for during the entire pandemic. For a better experience, it was of course ideal to watch the new Murder on the Orient Express (2017). I wish there were a few more wonderful feature films like this, because Branagh's relationship to the world of Agatha Christie is not only smart, but respectful and courageous at the same time. It offers eye-candy shots of the whole Nile cruise and directorial work with very interesting actors. In addition to the statuesque Gal Gadot, we get the classically perfect Annette Bening, the Jennifer Saunders and Dawn French duo…
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I’m a big fan of the detective genre, so just like with Murder on the Orient Express, I was eagerly anticipating Death on the Nile. Kenneth Branagh's portrayal of Hercule Poirot is spot-on, and the film's lavish production is undeniably impressive. But that grandeur is also where it stumbles a bit. Agatha Christie's stories, while top-tier in the mystery department, are inherently intimate affairs. This film, however, feels anything but. The cinematography is stunning — it's practically an ad for 1930s Egypt, and you can’t help but be mesmerized by it. The period atmosphere is also on point, though I could’ve done with less of the overdone sexual tension that Branagh decided to inject into the story. The cast, however, is where things get a bit shaky. The acting feels overly theatrical, to the point where nearly every character becomes irritating (except Poirot, of course — his theatricality is part of his charm). The ensemble is a collection of largely unnecessary characters, and honestly, if the boat had sunk and taken them all with it, I wouldn't have minded — the story might have ended quicker, and we’d be spared the drawn-out drama. That said, Russell Brand was a surprising standout — I didn’t even recognize him until he spoke. And Emma Mackey, who gave off major Emma Stone vibes, also caught my attention. Overall, Death on the Nile is an interesting watch, but for me, the older adaptations still hold the crown.
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