Although considered a mystery film, “Death of the Nile,” which hit theaters Feb. 11, 2022, was heavy on theatrics but light on suspense. 

With a stellar cast to play peculiar characters, the film was yet another adaptation of one of Agatha Christie’s books that features detective Hercule Poirot who is played by Kenneth Branagh. Branagh, who also directed the film, started his adaptation series with “Murder on the Orient Express” in 2017.  

“Death on the Nile” gives a more extensive and somewhat unnecessary, background to Poirot and his trademarked, bombastic mustache. Its prologue shows scenes of Poirot serving in World War II in a confusing way that hardly contributes to the storyline. 

The following scene is where the pieces start to fall into place. Lovers Jacqueline de Bellefort (played by Emma Mackey) and Simon Doyle (played by Armie Hammer) run into Bellefort’s friend and heiress, Linnet Ridgeway (Gal Gadot), at a nightclub. A business deal is made between Simon and Linnet upon meeting for the first time, and the two share a dance. And Poirot just happens to witness this series of events from afar. 

The film, set in 1937, fast forwards six months to Poirot enjoying the Pyramid of Giza in Egypt, and somehow he was able to get a cup of coffee and a pastry accompanied by a table and a chair for his viewing. Andhe just happened to run into one of his old friends, Bouc (played by Tom Bateman), at one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Not completely realistic, but I do appreciate the theatrics of it all. What I do not appreciate is the CGI of Egypt, which you will soon be familiar with if you plan to watch this film. 

Bouc, accompanied by his mother, Euphemia Bouc (played by Annette Bening), invites Poirot to his friend’s honeymoon excursions. Poirot accepts and soon realizes that he was there when the two newlyweds met. 

The newlyweds, Linnet and Simon, celebrate with an odd guest list that included Bouc and his mother, Linnet’s cousin (played by Ali Fazel), Linnet’s ex-boyfriend (played by a surprisingly clean-cut Russell Brand), Linnet’s godmother and her friend (played by Jennifer Saunders and Dawn French), Linnett’s friend from boarding school (played by Letitia Wright) and a singer (played by Sophie Okonedo) that performed at the nightclub when Linnet and Simon met. All guests of which Linnet admits to not trusting, and somehow no guests are there for Simon. It is also a little unbelievable that an heiress only has eight guests, nine including Poirot, at her wedding. 

The whole storyline made me think, “this would never happen in real life,” but I must admit, the juicy theatrics piqued my interest. Especially when Simon’s ex, Jacqueline, came to rain on the newlyweds’ parade. 

To escape Jacqueline, Linnet and Simon decided to take the wedding party on the Nile River on an extravagant yacht. By the title, I think you know what happens next. 

Luckily for those on the ship, they brought along Poirot, but unluckily for some, the murderer still struck. This is where some suspense was afforded to viewers. However, with so many characters, the different layers of their lives were crossing over in confusing ways, distracting Poirot from finding the killer and confusing me as a viewer. 

Despite some of its flaws, I would still highly recommend this film to anybody. I would also suggest playing a guessing game of “whodunit” throughout the film — the answer may be both surprising and obvious to you like it was for me.  

“Death on the Nile” is playing in theaters.