Murder on the Orient Express (2017)

Last updated:
October 8, 2025

Directed by Kenneth Branagh, Murder on the Orient Express (2017) is a stylish adaptation of Agatha Christie’s legendary detective novel. With its all-star cast, luxurious visuals, and Branagh’s theatrical flair, the film reintroduces the world to the meticulous Belgian detective, Hercule Poirot.

Table of Contents

Detailed Summary

Setting the Stage: Hercule Poirot’s Early Investigation

The movie opens in Jerusalem, where Hercule Poirot (Kenneth Branagh) cleverly solves a theft case involving a priest, a rabbi, and an imam. His deduction skills and obsession with symmetry are immediately on display. He then boards the Orient Express, a lavish train traveling from Istanbul to Calais, hoping for a quiet holiday after his recent case.

The Ensemble Cast on Board

Onboard the train are an intriguing mix of passengers:

Samuel Ratchett (Johnny Depp) – a shady American art dealer with a criminal background
Mary Debenham (Daisy Ridley) – a poised governess hiding secrets
Dr. Arbuthnot (Leslie Odom Jr.) – a former army doctor
Princess Dragomiroff (Judi Dench) – an elderly Russian aristocrat
Hildegarde Schmidt (Olivia Colman) – her devoted maid
Hector MacQueen (Josh Gad) – Ratchett’s secretary
Count and Countess Andrenyi (Sergei Polunin & Lucy Boynton) – a glamorous European couple
Mrs. Hubbard (Michelle Pfeiffer) – a chatty American widow
Gerhard Hardman (Willem Dafoe) – a supposed Austrian professor

Poirot soon learns that Ratchett has been receiving death threats. Ratchett asks Poirot for protection, but Poirot refuses, saying he dislikes his “face.”

The Murder

That night, the train is trapped in an avalanche, stranding it in the mountains. The next morning, Ratchett is found dead in his compartment — stabbed 12 times. His door is locked from the inside, making it a classic locked-room mystery. Poirot takes charge of the investigation, determined to identify the killer before the train reaches its next stop.

The Investigation

Clues begin to emerge:

A handkerchief embroidered with the letter “H”
A pipe cleaner
A burned note referring to the Armstrong case
A red kimono, mysteriously appearing and disappearing

Through interviews, Poirot learns that Ratchett was actually Cassetti, the man responsible for the Armstrong kidnapping and murder case, in which a child was kidnapped and killed years earlier. The tragedy led to the deaths of several family members and servants.

One by one, Poirot pieces together the connections: every passenger on the train had ties to the Armstrong family. Each person had a motive.

Movie Ending

In the climactic reveal, Poirot gathers all the passengers in the dining car and lays out his deductions. He explains that every person on the train played a part in Ratchett’s death. They had all conspired to kill Cassetti together — each stabbing him once, delivering justice for the murdered child.

Poirot presents two possible solutions to the authorities:

A lone killer broke into Ratchett’s room and escaped.
Everyone aboard was guilty.

Poirot, struggling with his moral code, ultimately decides to cover up the truth, allowing the passengers to go free. He acknowledges that justice can sometimes exist outside the law.

As the train resumes its journey, Poirot receives word of a new case in Egypt — a murder on the Nile. The camera lingers on Poirot as he walks toward his next adventure, clearly teasing the sequel, Death on the Nile (2022).

Are There Post-Credits Scenes?

No, there are no post-credits scenes in Murder on the Orient Express (2017). The film ends with Poirot being informed of the Nile murder, effectively serving as a teaser for the next installment rather than a traditional post-credits bonus.

Type of Movie

This is a mystery crime drama with strong elements of psychological suspense and period drama. The tone is elegant and introspective, with moments of dark humor and moral conflict.

Cast

Kenneth Branagh – Hercule Poirot
Michelle Pfeiffer – Caroline Hubbard
Johnny Depp – Samuel Ratchett / Cassetti
Judi Dench – Princess Dragomiroff
Willem Dafoe – Gerhard Hardman
Daisy Ridley – Mary Debenham
Leslie Odom Jr. – Dr. Arbuthnot
Josh Gad – Hector MacQueen
Penélope Cruz – Pilar Estravados
Lucy Boynton – Countess Andrenyi
Tom Bateman – Bouc

Film Music and Composer

The haunting and elegant score was composed by Patrick Doyle, a frequent collaborator of Branagh’s. The music blends classical orchestration with melancholy undertones, emphasizing both the beauty and tension aboard the train.

Filming Locations

The film was shot in England, primarily at Longcross Studios, with exterior scenes filmed in Malta and the Swiss Alps. The production used a real train constructed on a rotating platform to simulate movement. These locations heightened the film’s atmosphere of isolation and confinement, emphasizing the “nowhere to run” element of the mystery.

Awards and Nominations

While Murder on the Orient Express didn’t win major awards, it received nominations for:

Best Production Design (Art Directors Guild)
Best Costume Design (Costume Designers Guild)
Best Makeup and Hair (BAFTA shortlist consideration)

Its visuals and production design were widely praised.

Behind the Scenes Insights

Kenneth Branagh’s moustache was custom-made and took months to design, inspired by Christie’s detailed description.
Branagh both directed and starred, which required him to direct scenes while in full costume as Poirot.
The snowstorm scene was filmed in a refrigerated set to create authentic frost effects.
Johnny Depp’s scenes were shot in just two weeks.
Branagh insisted on building a full-scale replica train, rather than relying solely on green screen.

Inspirations and References

The film is adapted from Agatha Christie’s 1934 novel of the same name. Branagh aimed to stay faithful to Christie’s themes of moral ambiguity and human justice, while updating the tone and pacing for modern audiences.

Alternate Endings and Deleted Scenes

Several minor scenes were cut, including extended interviews with the passengers and an alternate introduction that showed Poirot solving another small case before boarding the train. However, the film’s main ending remained unchanged and true to the novel’s conclusion.

Book Adaptations and Differences

While the core plot remains faithful, Branagh’s version differs in tone and character emphasis:

Poirot is more emotionally expressive and conflicted than in the novel.
Some character backgrounds are simplified for clarity.
The ending adds a moral dilemma, emphasizing Poirot’s inner struggle between law and justice.

Memorable Scenes and Quotes

Key Scenes

Poirot’s dramatic deduction scene in the dining car.
The reveal of the Armstrong connection through the burned note.
Poirot’s emotional confrontation with the group as he questions what justice truly means.
The haunting shot of the snowbound train stuck in the mountains.

Iconic Quotes

“There is right. There is wrong. There is nothing in between.”
“I can only see the world as it should be. When it is not, the imperfection stands out to me like a nose on a face.”
“I see evil on this train.”

Easter Eggs and Hidden Details

Poirot’s name card in the restaurant car is marked No. 13, referencing superstition and fate.
The mention of the Nile case foreshadows the sequel.
Some props, like the red kimono, are direct visual nods to the 1974 film adaptation.
Branagh’s cameo as Poirot in a portrait subtly mimics Agatha Christie’s husband’s appearance.

Trivia

Branagh used 65mm film, giving the movie a vintage cinematic feel.
The production took over 300 costume fittings due to the period wardrobe.
The original Orient Express dining car was recreated in stunning detail, down to the wallpaper texture.
Michelle Pfeiffer recorded her own version of the song “Never Forget”, which plays over the end credits.

Why Watch?

Because Murder on the Orient Express isn’t just a whodunit — it’s a meditation on justice, morality, and human nature. With breathtaking visuals, an impeccable cast, and Branagh’s commanding performance, it’s a must-watch for mystery lovers and fans of classic detective storytelling.

Director’s Other Movies

Death on the Nile (2022)
Belfast (2021)
Cinderella (2015)
Thor (2011)
Henry V (1989)

Murder on the Orient Express (2017)

Detailed Summary