Poirot (Kenneth Branagh) accompanies an old friend on a luxurious river cruise along the Nile in Egypt. One evening, a murder occurs, and the renowned detective Poirot immediately undertakes the task of solving the crime. With no one having boarded or disembarked, the murderer must be among the distinguished guests. It soon becomes apparent that everyone on board is in grave danger, as the murderer is determined to conceal the truth.
British author Agatha Christie introduced the character Hercule Poirot 102 years ago. Subsequently, he featured in 33 novels and over 50 short stories. The books have been adapted into films and television series for many years. British actor David Suchet, among others, portrayed Poirot in 70 feature-length episodes from 1989 to 2013, and he was my introduction to the character, although many others may primarily associate him with Peter Ustinov’s interpretation.
Kenneth Branagh is a highly accomplished director and actor, and the announcement of his casting as Hercule Poirot piqued my interest. The first film, Murder on the Orient Express, which he directed and starred in, premiered in 2017 and I found it to be an acceptable adaptation. The ensemble cast of well-known actors was a definite draw, a casting trend that seems increasingly limited to superhero films these days.
After several premiere postponements, Death on the Nile finally debuted in 2022, reintroducing us to Kenneth Branagh’s interpretation of the Belgian detective. Having Suchet’s portrayal firmly in mind, it’s challenging to fully embrace Branagh’s version, as their interpretations of the character diverge significantly. In Death on the Nile, Poirot carries a firearm and even runs in one sequence, a departure from the more sedentary depiction of the detective. Here, Branagh’s portrayal seems to lean towards a “cooler” persona, which, in my opinion, is not entirely successful. Furthermore, an early sequence in Death on the Nile alters fundamental aspects of Poirot’s character in a manner that feels inconsistent with Christie’s literary creation.
Beyond Branagh’s individual choices in interpreting Christie’s character, Death on the Nile suffers from other issues. Notably, much of the film appears to have been shot indoors, which is evident in numerous scenes. The most egregious example is an early scene where Poirot meets an old friend at one of the pyramids in Egypt. This sequence features some of the weakest visual effects and computer animation I’ve encountered (and I’ve seen Sharknado). The effects are not only subpar, but the composition of the images and the interaction between the characters feel amateurish. While the special effects don’t improve significantly as the film progresses, it’s consistently apparent that everything is filmed against a green screen (although the extra material reveals this isn’t entirely the case). The plot offers a classic murder mystery premise, and the cast (Armie Hammer, Gal Gadot, etc.) is noteworthy, but the film ultimately falls short of becoming truly compelling.
The Blu-ray edition boasts sharp visuals with vibrant colors and deep blacks. The nighttime sequences are particularly impressive, with strong contrasts between light and shadow. The audio is adequate, although I found the overall mix to be somewhat quiet. Death on the Nile is also available on Disney+, and while the picture quality is slightly inferior, the audio is somewhat improved. The Blu-ray edition distinguishes itself with its extensive supplementary material. The documentaries are informative, and while they include the customary praise for all involved, they also offer interesting insights into the production. I was particularly surprised by the amount of practical filming locations used, contrary to the impression given by the film; despite the poor computer effects, which distract from the well-crafted elements, the audience may incorrectly assume that everything is animated, which detracts from the overall viewing experience.
In conclusion, Death on the Nile provides an engaging murder mystery with a talented cast. However, questionable creative decisions regarding Poirot’s character and the subpar visual effects negatively impact the film’s overall merit.
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