The ABC Murders
Metascore
58

Mixed or average reviews - based on 10 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 4 out of 10
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 10
  3. Negative: 2 out of 10

Critic Reviews

  1. Entertainment Weekly
    Reviewed by: Chris Nashawaty
    Jan 28, 2019
    83
    The '30s period details are lavishly spot-on and Malkovich, with his graying goatee and thick-as-bearnaise accent, gives the character a haunted, beady-eyed intensity. It may be a bit leisurely paced for some, but armchair whodunit junkies will enjoy this workout for their "little gray Cells." [1/8 Feb 2019, p.85]
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  2. The Daily Beast
    Reviewed by: Nick Schager
    Feb 1, 2019
    80
    Thanks to this engaging--and slyly timely--adaptation of Christie’s 1936 novel, it ably earns first-runner-up status. ... Poirot’s arrogance, of course, remains. Yet in Malkovich’s skillful hands, the detective is a more detached and interior genius, destabilized by his shaky professional standing and, also, by the long-ago catastrophe that made him who he is today.
  3. Wall Street Journal
    Reviewed by: John Anderson
    Jan 31, 2019
    70
    An elaborately fleshed-out Poirot history is the most audacious aspect of this “ABC Murders,” which, as the original dictates, abounds in red herrings and overly broad supporting characters. ... No one will ever call Mr. Malkovich a minimalist, but he does strip away the customary flamboyance, thus making Poirot new.
  5. Cleveland Plain Dealer
    Reviewed by: Mark Dawidziak
    Jan 28, 2019
    70
    Why does this murky version of Christie’s 1936 novel occasionally hit wearisome and plodding stretches? It’s never because of Malkovich’s portrayal. It’s the directing and writing that comes up short. ... Despite the erratic nature of the direction, “The ABC Murders” often is gripping fare, with each installment serving up more than its share of fiercely memorable moments.

User Reviews

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User Score
4.9

Mixed or average reviews- based on 17 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 6 out of 17
  2. Mixed: 6 out of 17
  3. Negative: 5 out of 17
  1. Zumadancer
    Feb 19, 2019
    0
    A blasphemy and abomination for any true fan of Hercule Poirot. Kenneth Branagh was awful in 'Murder on the Orient Express' but Malkovitch'sA blasphemy and abomination for any true fan of Hercule Poirot. Kenneth Branagh was awful in 'Murder on the Orient Express' but Malkovitch's performance here is a new low. He turned the delightful, and flamboyant Poirot into a dour, off-putting loner. How did Agatha Christe's estate allow this?… Full Review »
  2. OlivierPiel
    Feb 3, 2019
    4
    Read the Slant Magazine critique. The short TV serie has a beautiful photography, totally ruined by clichéd characters, ludicrous plotRead the Slant Magazine critique. The short TV serie has a beautiful photography, totally ruined by clichéd characters, ludicrous plot exposition and background and a very average Malkovitch performance (his French still sucks!).… Full Review »
  3. imthenoob
    Feb 19, 2019
    5
    At first, I genuinely hated it but it definitely grew on me as time went on. I still feel that it was way too overly sexualized and that GrintAt first, I genuinely hated it but it definitely grew on me as time went on. I still feel that it was way too overly sexualized and that Grint was criminally underused but I also appreciated the new take on Poirot. And Malkovich's performance grew on me as time went on. So much so that I wouldn't mind seeing more of him as Poirot.… Full Review »
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