Death on the Nile

Detective Hercule Poirot has been invited to a wedding. Not just any wedding though, a wedding for the illustrious and wealthy Simon and Linnet Doyle. Poirot is attending a destination wedding in a small village in Egypt. The wedding reception and festivities, however, are aboard the luxurious boat, the S.S. Karnak, as it travels up the Nile River.

It’s all fun and games, including an amazing excursion of a Pharaoh’s tomb, until one uninvited guest, Jacqueline, Simon’s ex-girlfriend, suddenly appears on board to spoil the fun. Determined to win back Simon’s love, Simon and Jacqueline get into a heated argument onboard the Karnak, as Linnet retires to her room. Simon, once again, declares to Jacqueline, “I do not love you! Leave me be” before Jacqueline angrily fires a shot into his leg. Afterward the two of them are whisked away to different parts of the boat; Simon to tend to his injured leg and Jacqueline to a room where she can calm her nerves.

As the next morning approaches however, Linnet’s body is discovered in her and Simon’s bedroom on the boat, a bullet lodged in her temple. Simon is beyond devastated! Who would want to hurt Linnet? There are plenty of guests and suspects aboard the ship: Bouc, Poirot’s friend, Euphemia, Bouc’s mother, Linnet’s cousin, Andrew, the ship’s doctor, Dr. Windlesham, Marie Van Schuyler, the godmother, Mrs. Bowers, the nurse, Louise, the lady’s maid, Salmone, the singer, Rosalie, Salamone’s niece and business manager. Everyone is a suspect.

This is a case Poirot may never soon forget.

“Murder on the Orient Express,” the first book in the series by Agatha Christie (Death on the Nile is the second book of the series) is a fascinating read and the movie was no exception. When I reviewed Murder on the Orient Express many years ago, I recall what really piqued my interest was Christie’s ability to intertwine multiple characters, backstories and provide a coherent, yet fully developed and, honestly, pleasant mystery that I myself couldn’t figure out until the final scene (as a good mystery should).

“Death on the Nile” takes place shortly after “Murder on the Orient Express.” For those who did not view “Murder…” however, rest assured, you did not miss out on much and will still follow “Death on the Nile” very nicely. This is to the film’s credit, as there is such a large gap between when “Murder…” came out and “Death…” that, frankly, sometimes, while newcomers to a franchise appreciate a recap of previous events it does add time, and in this case it wouldn’t have been necessary considering the film is an appropriately 2hr 20 minutes in length (pacing wise, I didn’t find the film lag or find myself checking my watch). Additionally there are some strong performances all around. You can tell Kenneth Branaugh is having a lot of fun on screen as Poirot (his mannerisms, his overreactions and even his moments where he’s more reserved). Gal Gadot once again commands the screen in each of the scenes she is in (I’ll admit I am an admirer of many of her films).

I only have a few caveats this time around. First, the sexual and suggestive content in this film was too much and unnecessary. The violence has increased slightly as well (not much more than the first, when comparing the two side by side though). Also, I will state that, as the film progresses, it becomes more and more apparent who the murderer is (and if you think about it is apparent at early moments in the film), but this does not REALLY detract much from the film. It’s still fun to sit back and enjoy the ride (and even receive the occasional scare, like the audience member and I did).

Content of Concern

VIOLENCE: Moderately Heavy to Heavy. Soldiers are bombed and killed in a brief battle scene (not gruesome). A soldier is blown up on a bridge (the scene cuts away very quickly as the explosion occurs). A soldier receives a deep battle scar on his face. We see a crocodile snatch a gazelle and drag it into the water (not graphic). Another croc snaps up a bird. As mentioned earlier, Jacqueline shoots Simon in the leg. Two dead bodies are discovered (one in a bed, and one floating through a boat’s paddle wheel, both not very graphic, but both containing some blood). We witness some men briefly fighting and punching each other. Someone is shot and killed. Someone shoots a metal item and then shoots his gun in the air as a warning shot. In one scene, we see someone commit a murder-suicide.

SEXUAL/SUGGESTIVE CONTENT: There is an extensive scene at a bar at the beginning of the film where two characters are engaged in very sensuous, very suggestive dancing. A woman calls Simon “the engorged stallion” and reference to sex by “sitsy,” “standsy” and “horse.” A woman begins to unfasten a man’s pants. A female character mentions to another woman she and a guy have sex a lot. Even when a male and female character are married to each other, they are seen flirting with other couples. Linnet brags to Jacqueline how much sex she is having with Simon in order to make her jealous. A woman admits to having a “handful of husbands, each one a handful.” Characters caress each other, press their clothed crotches together and kiss. A character refers to having sex 3 times today.

There is a strong hint of 2 female characters being in a long term Lesbian relationship (not public).

We also hear some extremely cynical views on marriage and family. When one person states, “Not every love ends with dissolution and betrayal, she says, “No, the lucky ones die in childbirth.”

PROFANITY: G*d (2), “G*d-d*mn her,” d*mn (6), “Good G*d,” H*ll (3, one of them cut-off)

VULGARITY: Slang term “Where is my serpent?” (woman referring to male’s genitals), the word “fig,” “a**”

NUDITY: Some women wear cleavage bearing and back-bearing outfits.

ALCOHOL: Characters are seen drinking champagne, wine and other drinks at bars, on the ship and in other venues.

OCCULT: A character states “I have immortal longings in me.”

Issues

Characters throughout “Death on the Nile” have a rather distorted view on love. Poirot, for example (and this doesn’t spoil anything, I promise), in the past, suffered from a relationship that ended poorly when a woman ended things because of how he looked. Other characters in the film and book base their love and marriage on tangible, fallible and fleeting things like money, wealth, power and status.

God’s love for His sons and daughters is far stronger than we can possibly imagine; it is pure and unconditional. Scripture also tells us that since God loves us we need to live by His example and share that love in as many ways as possible. It may not always be easy (I speak from personal experience), but with God all things are possible.

Jesus stated the following:

“A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another” —John 13:14

John stated the following:

“Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.” —1 John 4:7-8

“We love because he first loved us.” —1 John 4:19

Lastly, the apostle Paul described true love, the love we are supposed to live by, as follows:

“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails…” —1 Corinthians 13:4-8

Closing Thoughts

Those who enjoyed “Murder on the Orient Express” like I did will once again hop on board (yes, pun intended) this take on Agatha Christie’s beloved classic. There are some strong performances, the mystery, truthfully is easier to follow this time around, and the whole “confined-setting scenario” from the first film gives a pleasant, yet welcomed feel. However, the story is more disturbing and sad than pleasant.

However, the sexual and suggestive content which did NOT appear in the first film, or even in the book, was a red flag this time around and is likely to be a stumbling block for some Christians. I think this film is for adults only and possibly some mature teens, but certainly not youngsters.

• Violence: Heavy
• Sex: Moderately Heavy
• Profane language: Moderately Heavy
• Drugs/Alcohol: Moderate
• Nudity: Mild
• Vulgar/Crude language: Minor
• Occult: Minor

See list of Relevant Issues—questions-and-answers.

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