Death on the Nile (2022) - A Story That Has Stood the Test of Time - 8/10 (17/02/22)

Death on the Nile is a thriller based upon the famous novel by Agatha Christie that has already been adapted into numerous video games, television series, radio shows, movies and comic books. This film follows Murder on the Orient Express, written and directed by the same team five years ago. This movie brings the first half of the twentieth century to life in a nostalgic way and tells a fascinating story in great depth and detail.

The story revolves around Belgian war veteran and detective Hercule Poirot who encounters his friend Bouc while vacationing in Egypt. Bouc introduces him to his friends Linnet and Simon who have recently gotten married and are celebrating their honeymoon. They decide to hire the famous detective to protect them from Jackie, who was once in a relationship with Simon and friends with Linnet and is consumed with jealousy. Things indeed take a sinister turn on the cruise ship and Hercule Poirot needs to put the different pieces of the puzzle together to come to a stunning conclusion.

This film convinces on several levels. First of all, the settings are truly lush and should be enjoyed on the big screen. This starts with the extravagant clothing, continues with beautiful make-up and concludes with authentic objects from the thirties and stunning locations in a beautiful country.

Up next, the acting performances are overall quite decent. Kenneth Branagh convinces as cunning, curious and dynamic detective with a lonesome lifestyle and saddening past. Emma Mackey shines as aggressive, sensible and sinister antagonist who haunts everybody on the cruise ship. Armie Hammer delivers the goods as good-looking but shady husband who is playing a very dangerous game.

The highlight of the movie remains the fascinating story line. Once the first crime takes place, the viewers will follow a dramatic sequence of events that will keep them putting the pieces together until the very end. The story has aged rather well and is exceptionally brilliant. If you are not familiar with the novel or earlier adaptations of it, this movie will leave a lasting impression and might deserve multiple viewings to fully grasp all the details of the numerous crimes that have been going on.

A special shoutout goes to the movie's imaginative opening and closing. The former shows a clever young Hercules Poirot who manages to save his fellow soldiers during the horrors of the First World War but is unable to protect his captain and himself. The latter shows how the aging detective is slowly putting a term to his lonesome lifestyle and opens up to let his heart rule his mind again.

The movie obviously also has some minor flaws. The first half is unnecessarily long as it takes half of the film before any significant dramatic events occur. Up next, the acting performances aren't as universally convincing as in the famous adaptation of the seventies with acting legends such as Bette Davis, Mia Farrow, Angela Lansbury, David Niven and Peter Ustinov.

However, Death on the Nile is a timeless thriller that still convinces in its most recent adaptation with outstanding settings, excellent plot, great acting performances and a few creative twists in the opening and closing sequences. Fans of the novel and its numerous adaptations should certainly appreciate this film. Anyone who likes clever whodunits should give this marvelous movie a chance.