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Parents' Guide to

Murder on the Orient Express

By Jeffrey Anderson, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 13+

Colorful, thoughtful, classical mystery has some violence.

Movie PG-13 2017 114 minutes
Murder on the Orient Express Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this movie.

Community Reviews

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age 12+

Based on 24 parent reviews

Peliculas2021
Peliculas2021 Parent
April 20, 2023
age 10+

Totally awesome mystery movie!

Entertaining whodunnit doesn’t have too much violence nor bad language. This movie is based on the book by Agatha Christie and the first version of the movie in 1974. Although the movie isn’t very violent it does have some drinking alcohol and consuming drugs. There is some violence: a man gets stabbed 12 times in the stomach and some violent dialogue but nothing too hairy. Families will enjoy this murder mystery sequel and will love the storyline. I think this movie is great for ages 10+
doctora
doctora Parent of 5-year-old
May 30, 2022
age 13+

Classic whodunit with a lot of style and panache

Excellently shot, fantastic pacing and appropriate liberties were taken with the source material. Fabu job modernizing the portrayals in order to have a cast that reflects 2017 and contemporizing the mystery so more of the audience is invested. Branagh does a fabulous job...on pins and needles for Death on the Nile.
See all 24 parent reviews

What's the Story?

In MURDER ON THE ORIENT EXPRESS, master detective Hercule Poirot (Kenneth Branagh) has just solved a case in Jerusalem and is looking forward to a vacation. Unfortunately, he's summoned to another case in London and must board the Orient Express. A boorish passenger, Ratchett (Johnny Depp), whose business appears shady, tries to hire Poirot for protection. Next thing anyone knows, Ratchett has been murdered, and there's a whole train car full of suspects. Poirot interviews them one by one, including Ratchett's secretary (Josh Gad), his valet (Derek Jacobi), a society lady (Michelle Pfeiffer), a princess (Judi Dench), a professor (Willem Dafoe), a governess (Daisy Ridley), a doctor (Leslie Odom Jr.), and a missionary (Penelope Cruz). But the more Poirot learns, the less the clues seem to add up; they even seem to contradict one another. He comes to realize that this case will lead him to question everything he knows.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (24 ):
Kids say (52 ):

Branagh calls on his finest classical directing skills to make this smart, old-fashioned murder mystery into an enjoyable, great-looking entertainment, with an ensemble cast to die for. Based on the novel by Agatha Christie, Branagh's colorful, fluid Murder on the Orient Express is a worthy companion to the book's previous big-screen adaptation, Sidney Lumet's 1974 version. Best of all, Branagh directs himself in the role of the famous detective Poirot, and it's as natural a fit as his outings as Henry V and Hamlet were. Branagh finds a fascinating emotional center to the character, a certain kind of pain that drives him, rather than just being really smart. (Plus he has an amazing mustache.)

The movie takes place in a single location, but Branagh's camera moves gracefully through the narrow corridors; he never constricts or tightens for suspense purposes. He goes outside, or above, or wide, to bring all the characters together on a human level. (He also uses mirrors and windows to fascinating effect.) This isn't a traditional murder mystery, in that it's not particularly suspenseful or thrilling. Rather, it's content and mature enough to explore the reasons behind it all, to find the soul of the thing. This is a movie aimed at viewers who have a little bit of patience and who don't mind a little bit of the way things used to be.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about Murder on the Orient Express's violence. How much is actually shown? What's the impact of the violence that's not shown? Is this thrilling or shocking?

  • How does the movie depict drinking and drugs? Are they glamorized? Do any of the characters appear to be addicts? What indicates that?

  • What does the movie have to say about racism and discrimination? Which characters appear to be intolerant of characters from other cultures? How are they treated by others?

  • Like Poirot, do you believe that there are simple, black-and-white solutions for every problem? Why or why not?

  • Why do you think author Agatha Christie and her character Hercule Poirot have such enduring appeal?

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