Hi all!

Today I am ranking/breaking down the Hercule Poirot franchise, created by Kenneth Branagh. He plays the aforementioned character in the revamped adaptations of Agatha Christie’s murder mystery novels. To date, only three have been released, however, Kenneth has plans to continue expanding the world in years to come. As someone who owns Agatha’s entire collection, I am thrilled by this news. So far, the films have been excellent. Without further ado, let’s get into it!

1.) Murder on the Orient Express 

In first place, we have Murder on the Orient Express (based off the book by the same name). This is the first film in the franchise. It follows fictional detective, Hercule Poirot, who investigates a murder on a sleeper train he happens to be aboard, travelling from Istanbul to London. Suddenly, every notable person on the Orient Express is a suspect. With a killer roaming such a confined space, time is running out to keep the innocent safe. There are multiple reasons this instalment is my favourite. A.) The visuals. The stunning European sights and wintery aesthetic, make it the perfect cosy film to immerse yourself in. B.) The cast. It’s quite stacked with actors/actresses such as: Johnny Depp, Penelope Cruz, Willem Dafoe, Judi Dench, Michelle Pfeiffer, Daisy Ridley and more. C.) The twist. This story has one of the best reveals across Agatha Christie’s works. I guarantee, you won’t see it coming! I would absolutely start here (both film and book), if you’re unsure where to begin.

2.) A Haunting in Venice 

In second place, we have A Haunting in Venice. It is based off Agatha Christie’s novel: Halloween Party. Now retired and living in self-imposed exile, Poirot reluctantly attends a seance at a decaying, haunted palazzo. He soon gets thrust into a sinister world of shadows and secrets, when one of the guests is murdered. This is the ultimate spooky season film. It is set on Halloween and is the darkest of the adaptations so far. Like all the movies, the cinematography is perfection. From the gothic dwelling, to the tumultuous canals, to the masked figures, this entry has a touch of horror, none of the others do. I truly enjoyed every single moment but I must admit, the twist was quite predictable. I worked out the killer within the first twenty minutes. I highly recommend checking it out.

3.) Death on the Nile 

In last place, we have Death on the Nile (based off the book by the same name). Hercule Poirot’s Egyptian vacation aboard a glamorous river steamer, turns into a terrifying search for a murderer, when a picture-perfect couple’s idyllic honeymoon, is tragically cut short. The best part of the film is the soundtrack. The music is so catchy, even my passer-by husband commented on it. Having said that, it has the most predictable twist of the three. There’s a certain part that instantly cements who the killer is. It’s also the most over-the-top instalment thus far. I didn’t mind it, but others may find it too dramatic. I still recommend it, purely for the cinematography and score.

Thank you so much for reading! How would you rank the films in this franchise?

Peace & Love xoxo