Murder on the Orient Express

Main Plot

In "Murder on the Orient Express," directed by Kenneth Branagh, the famous detective Hercule Poirot finds himself aboard the luxurious train traveling from Istanbul to Calais. During the journey, a wealthy and disliked passenger is murdered, and Poirot is tasked with solving the crime. As he interviews the eclectic group of passengers, each with their own secrets and potential motives, Poirot uncovers a complex web of lies and deceit. The investigation reveals surprising connections among the passengers, leading to a dramatic and unexpected resolution. The film explores themes of justice, morality, and the nature of truth, set against the backdrop of the opulent and confined setting of the train.

Characters

• Kenneth Branagh plays Hercule Poirot, a brilliant detective who investigates a murder aboard a luxurious train, uncovering secrets and solving the complex case.
• Penélope Cruz plays Pilar Estravados, a devout missionary nurse who is one of the passengers and suspects in the murder investigation led by detective Hercule Poirot.
• Willem Dafoe plays Cyrus Hardman, an undercover Pinkerton detective posing as a racist Austrian professor to protect a key witness.

Ending Explained

In the 2017 film "Murder on the Orient Express," directed by Kenneth Branagh, the conclusion reveals that all the passengers on the train were complicit in the murder of Samuel Ratchett, whose real name was John Cassetti. Cassetti was responsible for the kidnapping and murder of a young girl named Daisy Armstrong, which devastated her family and led to multiple tragedies. Each passenger had a connection to the Armstrong family and a motive for revenge. Detective Hercule Poirot, played by Branagh, uncovers this intricate web of connections and motives through meticulous investigation. He presents two possible solutions to the authorities: one, that an unknown outsider boarded the train and killed Cassetti, and two, that all the passengers collectively committed the murder. Poirot ultimately decides to present the first solution to the police, allowing the passengers to go free, as he grapples with the moral complexities of justice and compassion. The film ends with Poirot being summoned to solve another case, hinting at future adventures for the famous detective.