Death on the Nile first wave of reviews praise Kenneth Branagh’s acting and directing… while criticizing the slow pacing of this murder mystery

With just four days until it hits theaters, the first wave of reviews have come in for 20th Century Studios’ Death on the Nile, an adaptation of Agatha Christie’s 1937 novel of the same name.

Kenneth Branagh returns both as a director and as Detective Hercule Poirot, a role he reprises from 2017’s Murder on the Orient Express, which he also directed.  

The first 52 reviews were posted on Rotten Tomatoes on Monday, earning a ‘Fresh’ 69% rating, as critics praised Branagh’s acting and directing, though had issues with the pacing.

First wave: With just four days until it hits theaters, the first wave of reviews have come in for 20th Century Studios’ Death on the Nile, an adaptation of Agatha Christie’s 1937 novel of the same name

Reviews: The first 52 reviews were posted on Rotten Tomatoes on Monday, earning a ‘Fresh’ 69% rating, as critics praised Branagh’s acting and directing, though had issues with the pacing

The adaptation follows Poirot, who, while on vacation on the Nile River in Africa, is tasked with solving the murder of an heiress.

Variety’s Owen Gleiberman praised Branagh’s work as a director, calling the film, ‘crisper and craftier’ than his Murder on the Orient Express adaptation.

He also praised Gal Gadot as Linnet Ridgeway, who has, ‘a vivacious spark she hasn’t always shown outside the Wonder Woman films.’

Detective: The adaptation follows Poirot, who, while on vacation on the Nile River in Africa, is tasked with solving the murder of an heiress

Gal praise: He also praised Gal Gadot as Linnet Ridgeway, who has, ‘a vivacious spark she hasn’t always shown outside the Wonder Woman films’

He also addressed the controversial presence of Armie Hammer, who many fans called for his removal from the film after multiple allegations of sexual misconduct surfaced.

‘The actor’s presence in the film, after accusations of abuse were leveled against him, has been considered problematic, but it must be said that he pops onscreen more than most of the other actors,’ Gleiberman admits.

The Hollywood Reporter’s David Rooney also mentions that Hammer’s character Simon is, ‘suitably dashing though clearly outclassed in intelligence by the two rivals for his love.’

Armie: He also addressed the controversial presence of Armie Hammer, who many fans called for his removal from the film after multiple allegations of sexual misconduct surfaced

He also mentions that, while Hammer has been, ‘almost invisible in the trailer, there’s no sign of his role being downsized in the final cut.’

One of the most common criticisms among the first wave of reviews was for the film’s slow pace, with Den of Geek’s Don Kaye calling it, ‘a slow boat to nowhere,’ though he adds it’s ultimately worthwhile.

‘The bigger issue, however, is that Death on the Nile simply takes too long to get to the good stuff. But once it does, you’ll be hooked for the film’s second half,’ Kaye said.

Slow boat: One of the most common criticisms among the first wave of reviews was for the film’s slow pace, with Den of Geek’s Don Kaye calling it, ‘a slow boat to nowhere,’ though he adds it’s ultimately worthwhile

UPI’s Fred Topel said the film is better than Murder on the Orient Express, stating, ‘The film presents a more engaging mystery, with some extra fun twists along the way.’

Not all of the reviews were positive, though, with Screen Daily’s Fionnuala Halligan stating, ‘As the narrative gears grind through like the slow and steady paddle boat, there’s a sense that Branagh has lost a lot of the fun of Agatha Christie along with his passport.’

AV Club’s A.A. Dowd added, ‘If a viewer didn’t know better, they might assume they were seeing the fourth or fifth entry in a sputtering franchise, not the direct follow-up to a global box-office hit,’ referring to the $352.7 million Murder on the Orient Express pulled in, from just a $55 million budget.

Twists: UPI’s Fred Topel said the film is better than Murder on the Orient Express, stating, ‘The film presents a more engaging mystery, with some extra fun twists along the way’

USA Today’s Brian Truitt added, ‘The action happens on a steam ship rather than a train this time, though still finds itself veering off the rails as it drags out the setup and rushes the reveals.’

London Evening Standard’s Charlotte O’Sullivan opined, ‘Whatever way you spin it, this is the Belgian detective as we’ve never seen him before. And, frankly, as I have no wish to see him again.’

Death on the Nile hits theaters nationwide on February 11, after several delays.

Action: USA Today’s Brian Truitt added, ‘The action happens on a steam ship rather than a train this time, though still finds itself veering off the rails as it drags out the setup and rushes the reveals’

Theaters: Death on the Nile hits theaters nationwide on February 11, after several delays

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