I really enjoyed Kenneth Branagh's first film, Murder on the Orient Express, and I love ancient Egypt, so I thought I would enjoy Branagh's latest effort.
Death on the Nile is a 2022 film directed by Kenneth Branagh and adapts the Agatha Christie Hercule Poirot novel of the same name. It is rated PG-13 for mild violence and language and is appropriate for tweens and up.
The Film
Story: I've never read the book, so I don't know how it compares to the original story, but I felt the mystery was really intriguing with no obvious murderer and several twists and along the way. The reveals were truly revealing at the end, and yet none felt like cheats.
Cast & Acting: This was a well cast film with everyone feeling like they fit, but no one was a standout or really felt like they were perfect for the role other than Kenneth Branagh himself and Tom Bateman playing Bouc, both iconic in their roles.
Art Direction & Cinematography: The film was beautifully shot with gorgeous scenes of Egyptian ruins, an elegant riverboat, and a great club. The director tried hard to frame every shot in an interesting way. Most the time it worked with only a few shots feeling forced.
Pacing: I felt this movie was a little slow. It always felt like it was slightly dragging, and I never found myself completely lost in the film.
Conclusion
Death on the Nile is an enjoyable film. The mystery was very intriguing with no obvious murderer and several twists and along the way. The reveals were truly revealing at the end, and yet none felt like cheats. This was a well cast film with everyone feeling like they fit, but no one was a standout or really felt like they were perfect for the role other than Kenneth Branagh himself and Tom Bateman playing Bouc, both iconic in their roles. The film was beautifully shot with gorgeous scenes of Egyptian ruins, an elegant riverboat, and a great club. The director tried hard to frame every shot in an interesting way. Most the time it worked with only a few shots feeling forced. I felt this movie was a little slow. It always felt like it was slightly dragging, and I never found myself completely lost in the film. I give it 4 out of 5 boxes of popcorn.
