Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Moderate
- Complexity
- Layered
- Violence
- Mild
- sunny
- witty
- suspenseful
- classic mystery night
- rainy day viewing
What critics said
Critics generally find the film an enjoyable, scenic, and entertaining Agatha Christie mystery elevated by Peter Ustinov's Poirot, despite its far-fetched story and less prestigious supporting cast.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Poirot investigates a murder among guests and staff on an isolated Mediterranean island hotel.
The Mediterranean island paradise and holiday atmosphere frame Arlena Marshall's strangulation and the suspects' resentments.
Guests hate Arlena for her affairs, professional interference, and manipulation, creating overlapping motives for murder.
The insurance case involving a fake diamond leads Poirot toward Arlena, Sir Horace Blatt, and the island mystery.
Films like Evil Under the Sun, and why
Death on the Nile
classic vacation-resort whodunit with an eccentric detective, colorful suspects, and an elegant murder puzzle
Murder on the Orient Express
Agatha Christie adaptation built around a closed circle of suspects, social tensions, and deductive investigation
The Last of Sheila
sunny setting, comic detection, and an ensemble of mutually suspicious guests concealing motives
The Mirror Crack'd
period mystery driven by aristocratic intrigue, stylized suspects, and a polished detective performance
Movie Details
- Director
- Guy Hamilton
- Release Date
- 1982-03-05
- Runtime
- 117 min
- Rating
- 6.9 / 10 (541)
Cast
- Peter Ustinov
- James Mason
- Sylvia Miles
- Roddy McDowall
- Maggie Smith
- Jane Birkin
- Nicholas Clay
- Diana Rigg
- Denis Quilley
- Colin Blakely
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- Amazon Prime Video, Britbox Apple TV channel, BritBox, BritBox Amazon Channel, Amazon Prime Video with Ads, BFI Player Amazon Channel, Howdy Amazon Channel
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Evil Under the Sun about?
- On a glittering Mediterranean island, Hercule Poirot untangles a web of jealousy and deception after a glamorous guest is strangled.
- What is Evil Under the Sun like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Evil Under the Sun as measured, its intensity as moderate and its storytelling as layered.
- Is Evil Under the Sun violent?
- Only mildly. Ember rates the violence in Evil Under the Sun as mild.
- What did critics think of Evil Under the Sun?
- Critics generally find the film an enjoyable, scenic, and entertaining Agatha Christie mystery elevated by Peter Ustinov's Poirot, despite its far-fetched story and less prestigious supporting cast.
- Which films are like Evil Under the Sun?
- Films with a similar feel include Death on the Nile, Murder on the Orient Express, The Last of Sheila, and The Mirror Crack'd.
- How long is Evil Under the Sun?
- Evil Under the Sun runs 117 minutes.
- Where can I watch Evil Under the Sun?
- In United States, Evil Under the Sun streams on Amazon Prime Video, Britbox Apple TV channel, BritBox, BritBox Amazon Channel, Amazon Prime Video with Ads, BFI Player Amazon Channel, Howdy Amazon Channel.
