Murder on the Orient Express

In 1934, renowned detective Hercule Poirot finds himself investigating a perplexing theft case at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem. His obsessive-compulsive tendencies drive him to seek balance in life, yet his extraordinary skill in uncovering lies often feels like a curse.

After yearning for peace in Istanbul, Poirot is compelled to return to London to tackle yet another mystery. His close friend Bouc, who manages the Orient Express, invites him to stay aboard the illustrious train, where the next series of events will unfold.

Onboard the train, business magnate Samuel Ratchett solicits Poirot's services as a bodyguard due to threats he's been receiving from an unknown source. Poirot declines the offer but remains alert and aware of the unusual happenings surrounding Ratchett.

That very night, Poirot is drawn to strange sounds coming from Ratchett's cabin. Before he can investigate further, a shadowy figure in a red kimono rushes past him in the corridor, heightening the tension and suspense onboard the express train.

Tragedy strikes when an avalanche derails the train, trapping all passengers within. The sense of danger escalates as the survivors must navigate this fresh threat while the circumstances surrounding Ratchett’s presence onboard remain mysterious.

The following morning reveals the shocking fact that Ratchett has been brutally murdered in his cabin, stabbed multiple times during the night. With his friend Bouc, Poirot immediately begins to investigate the identities and alibis of the stranded passengers.

During the investigation, Caroline Hubbard claims that someone entered her compartment during the night, suggesting a potential route for the murderer. This leads Poirot to consider the possibility that the murderer is among the passengers currently trapped on the train.

Poirot discovers a ruined note linking Ratchett to the infamous kidnapping case of Daisy Armstrong, which turns out to be a pivotal detail. He learns that Ratchett is actually John Cassetti, the very man responsible for Daisy's abduction and eventual murder.

The investigation reveals the heartbreaking consequences of Daisy's death, including her mother's tragic demise during childbirth and her father's suicide that followed. These revelations deepen the emotional complexity of the case and highlight the motives of those involved.

Poirot learns that the train compartments were securely locked on the night of the murder, leaving only the passengers within the car as suspects. Despite the guard's claims of not seeing anyone enter Ratchett’s cabin, Poirot's analysis leads him to suspect foul play.

As the investigation unfolds, Poirot conducts interviews with various suspects, including Mary Debenham. Tensions rise dramatically when John Arbuthnot brandishes a firearm, although he quickly clarifies his intent is not murder but to emphasize a point.

With each interview, Poirot uncovers hidden ties between the suspects and the Armstrong family, weaving a complex narrative of grief and revenge. The interconnected histories of the individuals aboard the train create a dense tapestry that Poirot strives to unravel.

Eventually, Poirot confronts the passengers with two theories regarding Ratchett’s murder. The simpler theory suggests an outside killer, while the more intricate one implicates everyone present, revealing their personal connections and motives against Cassetti.

In a stunning twist, it becomes clear that Hubbard, posing as a mere passenger, is actually Linda Arden, mother to Sonia Armstrong. She orchestrated the murder alongside the other suspects, which reveals the meticulous planning behind the act of vengeance.

Faced with the truth, Poirot realizes that true justice will elude him as he presents a singular killer theory to authorities. Understanding that the collective actions of the passengers were justified by Cassetti's past, he lets them escape, facing the weight of a lie.