Murder on the Orient Express

Main Plot

Murder on the Orient Express follows renowned detective Hercule Poirot as he embarks on a luxurious train journey across Europe. During the trip, the train becomes stranded due to a snowstorm, and a wealthy American passenger, Samuel Ratchett, is found murdered in his compartment. With a limited number of suspects, all of whom are passengers on the train, Poirot takes it upon himself to investigate the crime. As he interviews each passenger, he uncovers a web of secrets and hidden connections among them. The detective must sift through lies and alibis to piece together the truth behind the murder, all while racing against time and the elements. The story explores themes of justice and morality, leading Poirot to confront the complexities of human nature as he seeks to solve the case before the train can resume its journey.

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 ending of Murder on the Orient Express, detective Hercule Poirot reveals the truth behind the murder of Samuel Ratchett. Throughout the film, Poirot gathers clues and interviews the passengers aboard the train, uncovering their connections to the victim, who is revealed to be a notorious gangster responsible for the kidnapping and murder of a young girl named Daisy Armstrong. As Poirot presents his findings, he unveils a shocking twist: all the passengers conspired together to kill Ratchett as an act of justice for Daisy’s death. Each passenger had a motive tied to their personal loss, and they collectively executed the plan to avenge the crime that had devastated their lives. Poirot faces a moral dilemma, as he must decide whether to expose the truth or allow the passengers to escape justice for their vigilante act. Ultimately, Poirot presents two solutions to the authorities: one that implicates an unknown assailant and another that reveals the collective guilt of the passengers. The authorities choose to accept the first solution, allowing the passengers to evade prosecution. This resolution highlights themes of justice and morality, leaving the audience to ponder the complexities of right and wrong.