Mikes Film Talk

Death and Other Details, or Death at Sea, is a sort of homage to all things Agatha Christie. Not too dissimilar to Death on the Nile, this is a case of murder at sea. Hulu’s latest offering can be seen as their answer to Knives Out. However the show’s creators; Heidi Cole McAdams and Mike Weiss are avid fans of the late Dame’s work.

This is their nod to the mistress of murder.

However, do not expect to find Monsieur Poirot lurking shipside here. You also will not find Miss Marple, AKA Aunt Jane knitting and talking about village life. This tale of death at sea features detective Rufus Cotesworth, played to perfection by Mandy Patinkin. He is a former world famous sleuth.

The Plot

Death and other Details starts with a business tycoon chartering a ship on the Mediterranean sea. He hosts a ship-board party to celebrate a new business merger with the Chun family. During the festivities a man is murdered. This death prompts a murder investigation. The Chun’s ask Cotesworth to solve the crime.

The Assistant

Imogene (Violett Beane) is forced to become assistant to the detective. She knows Rufus already. He worked on her mother’s murder years before. Though she dislikes the man she reluctantly agrees to help him.

The Rest of the Main Cast

Everything Else

Rufus and Imogene form an alliance. They start looking for clues and the detective starts questioning the guests. The must conclude their investigation before Interpol arrive. Time is running out.

This is a luscious looking vehicle for all concerned. Patinkin’s narration reminds us that we are “watching a book.” All the actors on the show perform impeccably. Each one bringing their characters to life convincingly.

*Shout out to Sophia Reid-Gantzert as the young Imogene.*

Death and Other Details does evoke images of Dame Agatha Christie, especially those marvelous Poirot adventures. Her Belgian detective did have more than a few exotic settings. Here, McAdams and Weiss give us something just as fetching, a Mediterranean shipboard location and a death at sea.

This is a delicious mystery set at sea. Hulu have released the first two episodes on January 16. Start watching now if you do not want to fall behind. Remember: “Details matter.”