Mixed reviews for 'Death on the Nile' with some calling it 'stale' and 'cringey'

The first reviews for Kenneth Branagh's Death on the Nile are out and the reception has been largely mixed with it being called 'cringey' and 'stale' but also an "improvement on Murder on the Orient Express".

Featuring an ensemble cast including Armie Hammer, Gal Gadot, Judi Dench, Letitia Wright, Russell Brand and Branagh himself as Poirot.

Adapted from the Agatha Christie novel of the same name, Death on the Nile follows a group of wealthy passengers aboard the SS Karnak when one of them is murdered. It is then up to Poirot to find the killer before they strike again.

Peter Bradshaw in The Guardian said: "Branagh’s spirited performance as Poirot and a big-name ensemble cast can’t keep this stale and two-dimensional whodunnit afloat."

Conversely, Dan Jolin for Empire Magazine wrote: "An improvement on Murder On The Orient Express, with the increased focus on Branagh’s Poirot (even with its strange moustache obsession) welcome enough to distract from the problems with some of its ensemble and its too-obvious reliance on VFX."

Kevin Maher was also critical in The Times, calling the film a "cringey, slapdash mystery".

In a mixed review, The Hollywood Reporter said: "The film is satisfying enough, though more so as glossy, old-school entertainment than diabolically clever mystery."

Owen Gleiberman in Variety was more positive, writing: "It all comes together in the scene where Poirot gathers the suspects and solves the crime. For about 10 minutes, the movie take wing, which is what you want from an Agatha Christie movie."

Gleiberman also praised Hammer's performance in the movie after The Social Network actor was accused of rape: "So does Hammer’s performance as the wily, arrogant, exceedingly tan Simon — the actor’s presence in the film, after accusations of abuse were leveled against him, has been considered problematic, but it must be said that he pops onscreen more than most of the other actors."

The review in IGN was critical of Gadot and said she was "especially unconvincing as an heiress moulded on much more glamorous and intriguing stars of Hollywood’s Golden Age".

Death on the Nile is out in cinemas Friday, 11 February. Watch the trailer below.