Belgian sleuth Hercule Poirot’s spectacular Egyptian vacation aboard a river boat becomes a terrifying search for a murderer after a picture-perfect couple’s honeymoon is cut tragically short. Based on Agatha Christie’s novel, this tale of passion and jealousy is filled with wicked twists and turns until its shocking finale. A film by Kenneth Branagh, starring Tom Bateman, Annette Bening, Russell Brand, Ali Fazal, Dawn French, Gal Gadot, Armie Hammer, Rose Leslie, Emma Mackey, Sophie Okonedo, Jennifer Saunders, and Letitia Wright.

A mystery film based on the novel of the same name by Agatha Christie, first published in November 1937. The novel has been adapted for film and television numerous times, most notably in John Guillermin’s 1978 adaptation. This film is a sequel to MURDER on the ORIENT EXPRESS.

In 1937, at a London club, Hercule Poirot (Kenneth Branagh) observes Rosalie Otterbourne (Letitia Wright), the niece of blues singer Salome Otterbourne (Sophie Okonedo), arguing with Monsieur Blondin (Rick Warden), who insists that he never pays anyone upfront.

Later that night, Jacqueline de Bellefort (Emma Mackey) introduces her fiancé, Simon Doyle (Armie Hammer), to her childhood friend, heiress Linnet Ridgeway (Gal Gadot). Jacqueline’s motivation for this meeting is to secure a job for Simon, who is currently unemployed. Linnet agrees to help by hiring him as her new land agent.

Six weeks later, Hercule Poirot serendipitously encounters his friend Bouc (Tom Bateman) and his mother Euphemia Bouc (Annette Bening) in Egypt. Bouc cordially invites Poirot to join them at the First Cataract Hotel for a wedding party.

Upon arriving at the hotel, Hercule Poirot discovers that it is a wedding party for Linnet Ridgeway and Simon Doyle. Linnet and Simon inform Poirot that Jacqueline de Bellefort has been following them since Simon broke off the engagement. Poirot declines their request for assistance, as Jacqueline has not committed a crime. However, he does speak to her to assess her threat level, and he ultimately advises Linnet and Simon to board a Nile honeymoon cruise and return home immediately for their own safety.

Ignoring Hercule Poirot’s advice, Linnet and Simon Doyle invite their guests to board the S.S. Karnak, believing that Jacqueline de Bellefort will be unable to follow them. On the cruise ship, Linnet confesses to Poirot that she feels unsafe and distrusts her guests, believing that they may only be her friends because of her wealth. She urges him to watch over her and Simon, as if she knows something bad is going to happen.

Despite their best efforts, Jacqueline manages to board the ship. The next morning, Linnet is found murdered, with a gunshot wound to the head. Hercule Poirot must now determine which of her guests is the killer.

DEATH on the NILE is a visually stunning and atmospheric mystery film that captures the essence of Agatha Christie’s classic novel. However, the film does feel too long, at over two hours and twenty minutes. This can make it difficult for some viewers to stay engaged, specially the slow pacing in the first half of the film. The central romance, which should drive the thrills and suspense, also falls flat with Hammer and Gadot’s chemistry-free performances.

DEATH on the NILE had its world premiere in France and South Korea on 9 February 2022. The film was theatrically released in the United States on 11 February.