Newly released mystery drama Murder on the Orient Express is based on the 1934 Agatha Christie novel and is definitely one for those who love detective films. The story follows world-renowned Belgian detective Hercule Poirot as he travels on the luxurious Orient Express along with a group of Cluedo-esque characters including the wealthy widow, the governess and the doctor to name a few.
One of the characters is brutally murdered and as the only one who seems fit to deal with the investigation, Poirot must find out who the killer is before they strike again. The seemingly simple plot reveals a more complex back story as the film goes on and the fact that the majority of the film takes place in the fixed space of the train was interesting as it makes the viewer focus on the plot.
For someone who loves seeing modern films that are set in the early 1900s purely for the aesthetics and cinematic aspects (The Great Gatsby is my favourite film of all time), I really enjoyed the way that the 1930s was portrayed in terms of the costumes and the props, which for me is a good enough reason in itself to go and see the film. The way the characters were constructed also appealed to me as each one had been deeply considered in terms of the actor and the part the character played in the film.
Unlike most murder mysteries, it is a film that keeps you guessing until the end and, without giving too much away, I would say that the viewer is put in an interesting moral dilemma when the killer is revealed, which Poirot himself also clearly suffers.
Before I saw the film, I wasn’t sure about the fact that the majority of it would take place in one area, the Orient Express itself, as films like this can often become boring and claustrophobic. However, I was pleasantly surprised that it wasn’t like this and being in one place only added to the suspense of the film.
Overall, I would recommend Murder on the Orient Express to anyone, whether you love detective mysteries or are just looking for something different to watch.
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