A Review of ‘Agatha Christie’s Murder Is Easy’

3/4/2024

Written by John Edward Betancourt

David Johnson as Luke Fitzwilliam in ‘Agatha Christie’s Murder Is Easy’. (Photo Courtesy of BritBox.)

One particular aspect of murder mysteries that is supremely fascinating, is the sheer fact that classics from this genre continue to endure in our modern world. And what makes that so fascinating, relates to how we live in an era where they simply should not. For the modern murder mystery is catered to the times and filled to the brim with dark moments and gritty cases, and grizzled investigators that have seen it all and are in a deep battle with their own psyches to push ahead and do good in the world. But, while we are in a new era for the genre, the classics do to continue to endure and rightfully so.

Because the best ones out there, are timeless in nature. Courtesy of explorations regarding murder and the human condition that are relevant in 2024 and any year really and speak to aspects of our world that aren’t changing or getting any better and one particular author whose work fits this criterion is Agatha Christie. Because she truly had an understanding of who we are as a society and of what problems we hide often in the name of progress and well, the power of the classics and the importance of her work are top of mind today, simply because BritBox is home to a powerful and relevant new adaptation of her work, Agatha Christie’s Murder Is Easy, and well… this is definitely a story worth spotlighting… for several reasons.

Such as the fact that this story features a juicy plot that is supremely faithful in nature. For this tale introduces us to Luke Fitzwilliam, a retired officer who is heading to London via train when we meet him, and whilst aboard it, he meets the enigmatic Miss Pinkerton. A seasoned soul in a hurry to report to Scotland Yard that murder has descended upon her hometown of Wychwood, and she wants nothing more than justice. A quest that Luke is happy to help champion when Miss Pinkerton dies on the streets of London in a concerning and strange manner and well, it doesn’t take long for Luke to learn that the idyllic Wychwood is anything but, and this town is mired in darkness and death because someone has discovered that murder is indeed easy when one puts their mind to it.

Which really is the plot of the original book to a tee, and there are more faithful elements to be found in this tale. After all, Wychwood is filled to the brim with quirky and dynamic characters that all have reasons to commit to darkness, another Christie staple. One that gives rise to a story that keeps us guessing, as a good Agatha Christie novel/story is wont to do, and that guessing game takes us down incredible paths and incredible possibilities. All of which makes for an immersive who-done-it that is so cleverly crafted and assembled that even the hardcore fans of her work may second guess themselves as to how it ends since everything is handled here in such a refreshing and fun manner.

But while it is a true delight to be immersed in a new and faithful telling of a true classic, it is the underlying subtext in this story that makes it worth our while. Simply because this story, focuses heavily on elements that we can relate to and currently grapple with. Since this is a story grounded in concerns about class warfare, and the abuses that the rich and entitled take part in, and how those abuses of power and of money impact the everyday person, and the impunity they occur with. Giving rise to a story that is timely and relevant and that easily explains why Agatha’s work continues to endure, because she really did have a core understanding of the problems of the modern world. Granted, those elements could be juiced up a little bit for this adaptation, but that is immaterial. For the core of those concepts were always there and ready to be pondered upon.

However, having them spotlighted here really does add incredible depth and perspective to a story that is indeed captivating and engaging. Giving rise to an adaptation that truly resonates through and through and is further enhanced by some delightful performances. Since everyone in the cast brings their A-game to the table and plays their respective parts with a zest and zeal that perfectly fits the moment and serves the wonder of the story and well, in the end, all of these elements combine to bring forth, a perfect murder mystery. One that does Agatha proud since it has it all really, and it reminds us of her prowess as a writer and how her observational skills truly made her work timeless and powerful, and poignant.

Watch ‘Agatha Christie’s Murder Is Easy’

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