HCA Gradebook: “Death on the Nile”

Film: Death on the Nile (2022)
Plot: While on vacation on the Nile, Hercule Poirot must investigate the murder of a young heiress.
Cast: Gal Godot, Russell Brand, Armie Hammer, Annette Bening, and Letitia Wright
Director: Kenneth Branagh
Release Date: February 11, 2022
Studio: 20th Century Studios
HCA Overall Grade: C+

Rama Tampbulon says “Death On The Nile was a much more solid film than its predecessor, Murder on the Orient Express. Irresistible and intoxicating, it kept you guessing until the very end. I couldn’t take my eyes off of the elegant ensemble. And there was also a profound sensitivity and sadness to the character Hercule Poirot this time around. Like a man who considered his existence to be both a blessing and a curse. Beautifully directed and exquisitely shot, Death On The Nile is riveting.”

Grade: B+

Dan Murrell says “Kenneth Branagh’s enthusiasm for the character of Poirot is obvious. I enjoyed this film more than the first, largely because of Branagh’s often poignant performance. While the ensemble cast as a whole may not have as many standouts as Murder on the Orient Express, Sophie Okonedo and Emma Mackey deliver performances to remember.” 

Grade: B+

Clarence Moye says “Branagh returns to Agatha Christie territory with a far more entertaining and visually appealing adaptation. His performance as Hercule Poirot finds new shading with notes of self-doubt and regret. He is supported by a game, star-studded cast, and outstanding costumes and production design. This is old-fashioned entertainment with flaws but a strong performance from Kenneth Branagh.” 

Grade: B

Derek Sante says “Death on the Nile is a good murder mystery, but a bit slow for younger audiences.”

Grade: B

Don Shanahan says “The most fascinating lodestone of this gem collection emerges to be Branagh himself. In his second screen appearance as the famed private investigator Hercule Poirot, both the camera and our eyes are magnetized to Kenneth Branagh. There are drop-dead gorgeous and expressive characters gallivanting all around, and we can’t pull away from the diminutive observer with that prominent mustache and those impeccable suits.”

Grade: B

Aaron Neuwirth says “With a strong cast, an emphasis on style to compensate for the convoluted plotting, and a frequent sense of intrigue, murder may be afoot, but there’s plenty of fun to be had.”

Grade: B

Anthony Digioia says “Death on the Nile is a mixed bag. The production design and wardrobes are immaculate. But the visual appeal wears off in a plot that takes far too long to get going when some of its moves are already a tad foreshadowed. Branagh lives and breathes Poirot, but this ensemble felt wasted and the tension of the focal mystery feels lacking for its runtime.”

Grade: C

John Nguyen says “Death on the Nile really shines with its backdrop of Egypt, showing us gorgeous and grand scenery. Kenneth Branagh is a delight as detective Hercule Poirot, and Tom Bateman as Bouc is charming. However, it’s a predictable murder mystery. With such a notable cast, it’s a shame that the rest of the performances felt uninspired.” 

Grade: C-

Caitlin Kennedy says “Despite its close adherence to the tested formula, Death on the Nile hits a hollower note. For all of its blustering on love, the film is most lacking in the heart department.” 

Grade: C-

Scott Menzel says “Death on the Nile is a mystery without any mystery. A dull and uninteresting mess that looks visually stunning but is lacking in terms of story and performance. The acting in Death on the Nile ranges from laughably bad to mediocre at best. I would even go so far to say that Armie Hammer and Annette Bening deliver two of their worst performances ever in this film. And to make things even worse, the film is predictable and poorly edited. The whole film feels like it was thrown together. I would definitely recommend avoiding going on this snooze cruise.” 

Grade: D

Catherine Springer says “A film that fails in every way, particularly the obvious and distractingly bad CGI. Zero tension, zero thrill, and zero mystery in a film that suffers from inertia and an overabundance of ego.”

Grade: D-