Naren Roy

An interesting adaptation with creative twists from the screenwriter and director. Some changes landed well; others not so much. In some ways, it was quite faithful to the book, and I appreciate the incredible performance by Eamon Warren for A.B. Cust. I think the Poirot character here was believable in many ways, and quite layered, but not as charming as the man we hear painted in the books' writing or seen on the screen by prior actors. His backstory being changed here is an interesting take- and the way he finds himself in a changing modern world is thought-provoking. It is quite odd however how far the character's celebrity status was taken to where he had orchestrated "murder games" for the rich and famous. That seems to loose touch with what otherwise is a decently pleasing watch of Poirot. Personally, I prefer Malkovich's interpretation to Branagh, but it still isn't a match for Suchet (iCONIC) or Ustinov. It is a LOT how dark this film is, like some of the later ITV - Suchet feature lengths. Also a coincidental foreshadowing given the continual new directions filmmakers are taking Poirot such as the new up-and-coming "Haunting in Venice" (Christie meets horror genre.)