Directed by Kenneth Branagh and written by Michael Green, Death on the Nile is a 2022 mystery-thriller based on Agatha Christie’s 1937 novel of the same name and the second entry in Branagh’s Hercule Poirot film series, following Murder on the Orient Express (2017). The film was released in U.S. theaters on February 11, 2022. A leisurely honeymoon cruise on the Nile turns deadly when a young heiress is murdered, forcing detective Hercule Poirot to unravel a boatful of suspects and motives.
Quick Facts
| Film | Death on the Nile (2022) |
| Director | Kenneth Branagh |
| Composer | Patrick Doyle |
| Studio | 20th Century Studios |
| Based On | Death on the Nile (1937) by Agatha Christie |
| Genre | Mystery, Thriller, Drama |
| Release Date | February 11, 2022 (United States) |
| Runtime | 127 minutes |
| Where to Watch | Digital rental/purchase; streaming on Hulu |
Who Composed the Death on the Nile Score?
Patrick Doyle composed the score, continuing his long-running collaboration with Kenneth Branagh that stretches back to Henry V (1989). Doyle is also known for Sense and Sensibility, Hamlet, Gosford Park, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, Rise of the Planet of the Apes, Thor, Brave, and Cinderella, as well as Murder on the Orient Express (2017).
Doyle wrote and recorded the Death on the Nile score remotely from his home during the COVID-19 lockdown, supervising sessions with Branagh over video conferencing before the film’s cut was finalized. Reflecting the Egyptian setting, Doyle folded 1930s big-band jazz textures and subtle Middle Eastern instrumental colors into his signature lush orchestral sound. The soundtrack album was released by Hollywood Records on February 11, 2022, the same day as the film.
Death on the Nile Score Tracklist
Here is the complete 25-track original score album, composed and conducted by Patrick Doyle. You can listen on Spotify, Apple Music, and other platforms.
| # | Track | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | The Trenches | 1:30 |
| 2 | What About This? | 1:38 |
| 3 | The Pyramids | 2:28 |
| 4 | Bourgeois Nightmare | 2:00 |
| 5 | The Newly Weds | 1:31 |
| 6 | She’s Back | 2:04 |
| 7 | A Single Bullet | 1:38 |
| 8 | Immortal Longings | 1:11 |
| 9 | Abu Simbel | 3:07 |
| 10 | Come with Me | 3:28 |
| 11 | Suspects | 2:00 |
| 12 | One Last Cork | 2:27 |
| 13 | Goodnight Jacks | 3:40 |
| 14 | Alibi | 2:24 |
| 15 | Someone Is Dead | 1:37 |
| 16 | Inheritance | 2:49 |
| 17 | You Killed Them | 3:39 |
| 18 | Let Poirot Work | 1:04 |
| 19 | One Final Interview | 3:13 |
| 20 | Was Someone Hurt? | 3:03 |
| 21 | I Wasn’t Thinking | 4:53 |
| 22 | I Needed Him | 2:39 |
| 23 | Perhaps | 3:16 |
| 24 | The Cost of Love | 2:14 |
| 25 | Death on the Nile | 4:54 |
Additional Music Featured in the Film
Alongside Doyle’s score, the film’s nightclub and dinner-party scenes feature source music performed by the character Salome Otterbourne (Sophie Okonedo), who lip-syncs to classic recordings by Sister Rosetta Tharpe:
- “That’s All” (live) — plays as Salome Otterbourne is introduced to the nightclub audience
- “Up Above My Head, I Hear Music in the Air” — plays when Linnet arrives at the club
- “Rock Me” — plays as Jackie introduces Simon to Linnet
- “Shout, Sister, Shout!” (with Lucky Millinder & His Orchestra) — plays as the group boards the S.S. Karnak
- “Nobody’s Fault But Mine” — plays after Jackie boards the ship during dinner
- “Stand By Me” by The Staple Singers — closes out the film over the credits
Cast
- Kenneth Branagh as Hercule Poirot
- Gal Gadot as Linnet Ridgeway-Doyle
- Armie Hammer as Simon Doyle
- Emma Mackey as Jacqueline “Jackie” de Bellefort
- Sophie Okonedo as Salome Otterbourne
- Tom Bateman as Bouc
- Annette Bening as Euphemia Bouc
Where to Stream
The score is available on Spotify and Apple Music. The film is available to rent or buy digitally and streams on Hulu.
Related reading: Movie Soundtracks | Hulu | Streaming Hub
Frequently Asked Questions
Who composed the Death on the Nile (2022) soundtrack?
Patrick Doyle composed the score, his sixth collaboration with director Kenneth Branagh, recorded remotely during the COVID-19 lockdown.
How many tracks are on the Death on the Nile score album?
The official Hollywood Records soundtrack album, released February 11, 2022, contains 25 tracks of Patrick Doyle’s original score.
Does Death on the Nile use any licensed songs?
Yes. The film’s nightclub scenes feature Sister Rosetta Tharpe recordings lip-synced by Sophie Okonedo’s character, Salome Otterbourne, plus “Stand By Me” by The Staple Singers over the end credits.
Is Death on the Nile a sequel to Murder on the Orient Express?
Yes, it is the second film in Kenneth Branagh’s Hercule Poirot series, following Murder on the Orient Express (2017), with Branagh again directing and starring, and Michael Green again writing the screenplay.
Where can I stream or listen to Death on the Nile?
The soundtrack streams on Spotify and Apple Music, and the film is available to rent or buy digitally and streams on Hulu.