Review | ‘Death on the Nile’ – A killer cast

There’s nothing like a good old-fashioned murder mystery. As the cast of characters is slowly introduced, the audience gets a chance to play detective along with the film’s hero. Checking out whose story matches up with whose and uncovering sordid secrets beyond the reveal of the culprit. In truth, the only error a murder mystery can make is being too predictable.

Then again, guessing is only part of it. With a film like Death on the Nile, the enjoyment also comes from watching some very familiar faces playing dress up and trying their best to feel like they belong in the 1930s. Kenneth Branagh returns as the big man with the big moustache, Hercule Poirot, and instead of enjoying a holiday in Egypt, he’s roped into yet another mystery.

The film takes its sweet time getting you familiar with all the characters and an even sweeter time before the grand moment of truth. As you wait for the reveal, the movie treats you to some captivating dialogue and some very pretty shots. Like Poirot himself, director Kenneth Branagh knows the devil is in the details, oftentimes making a big show of the smallest occurrence. It’s enough to throw you off as you’re not quite sure what’s a part of the story and what is a director showing off some flashy camera work.

What makes and breaks Death on the Nile is the cast. While some feel appropriate for the role and period, others feel distractingly out of place. Much of the movie depends on its ability to maintain the mysterious illusion, but that all falls apart, thanks to a few bad apples.

It’s not enough to ruin the film entirely. The dialogue and the story are intriguing enough to make up for it, and Brannagh’s misdirection keeps the guessing game interesting. What more could you ask for from a murder mystery?

Rating: Half-Price

Damian Levy is a film critic and podcaster for Damian Michael Movies.