Death On The Nile Ending Explained: Who Was The Killer? What Really Happened In The Karnak? Explained Point By Point

A violent and vindictive suspect but with an iron skill among many passengers who hide possible passionate and economic motives: finding out who is behind the Death On The Nile will be very difficult even for Poirot, who will also be sidetracked by a particularly intelligent murderer, wary and truly diabolical. In the finale of Kenneth Branagh’s film – which brings Agatha Christie’s classic thriller back to the screen – Hercule Poirot will gather all the surviving passengers of the Nile cruise ship Karnak to unravel his incredible deductions and unmask the culprit.

Here’s what happens in the ending of Kenneth Branagh’s Death On The Nile, who killed the victims, how and why in this new version of the story that differs in a not inconsiderable way from the original.

Death On The Nile Ending Explained: The Diabolical Plan of Jacqueline De Bellefort

Hercule Poirot reveals to the passengers that the creator of the diabolical plan that is killed Linnet Ridgeway Doyle, his maid Louise Bourget and friend Bouc are Jacqueline de Bellefort, Simon Doyle’s ex-girlfriend. The two actually never stopped loving each other and plotted Linnet’s marriage and subsequent murder only to appropriate her fortune. Simon wants the money: for the love of man, Jacqueline has concocted the incredible plan, which without his lively intelligence he would never have been able to think and implement.

Simon therefore only pretended to fall in love with Linnet, leaving Jacqueline and marrying the heiress. Since he and her ex were in agreement, Jacqueline de Bellefort was able to appear wherever the couple went (and pre-book her presence on the Karnak). The plan allowed both of them to obtain an alibi, in front of witnesses. With her 22 gauge Jacqueline only pretended to shoot Simon, who, using Euphemia’s carmine-colored tube, simulated her wound and blood. As the woman was being taken away, he ran upstairs, opened the cabin door and killed his wife with the pistol recovered from under the sofa, muffling the noise with the scarf stolen from her godmother Marie Van Schuyler. Back in the common hall, he found the nerve to really shoot himself in the leg. He assisted by the doctor and unable to move, she under the effect of morphine, they already had the perfect alibi for the whole night.

The Murders Of Louise And Bouc

Two facts, however, have complicated the situation. The maid Louise came out of her cabin to smoke and saw Simon enter Linnet to shoot her. The woman makes it clear to the employer that she knows the truth, but she will keep silent for money, uttering an ambiguous sentence during the interrogation of Simon de Poirot. Warned of the danger, Jacqueline steals a scalpel from Dr. Windlesham and cuts the woman’s throat.

There is another witness who witnesses the heinous murder Bouc, who had stolen the diamond necklace in Linnet, discovering the body but keeping silent about what happened in order not to reveal his theft. When Jacqueline kills Louise, Bouc accidentally witnesses the scene, as evidenced by the space devoid of bloodstains in the wake on the Karnak wall and the dressing gown he discarded, because it was stained with the maid’s blood. Just as he is about to confess the truth, Bouc is shot down by Jacqueline using accountant Andrew Katchadourian’s gun, after receiving the alarm signal from Simon.

The Ending Of Death On The Nile 

Once discovered, Jacqueline shoots herself and Simon, unable to bear not so much to end up in prison, as to live without him: the two die embracing each other. The arrival at the port of Karnak is dramatic, with 5 bodies wrapped in shrouds like mummies, which get off the boat.

Poirot takes leave of a Euphemia torn by the death of her son and the Otterbourne. Even Hercule Poirot is deeply moved by the death of his friend and reproaches himself for his death. Six months later, back in London, he will go to the venue where Salome Otterbourne performs, to hear her sing once more.

How Does Death On The Nile End?

Poirot reveals that the killers of Linnet, Louise and Bouc are Simon and Jacqueline, who never stopped loving each other and wanted to get their hands on the heiress’s estate. Jacqueline does not want to be captured and fires a single shot at herself and her lover. Upon arrival of the Karnak at the port, 5 corpses wrapped in shrouds, like mummies, are disembarked. Poirot blames himself for the death of his friend. Six months later, on his return to London, he will go to hear Salome Otterbourne sing at a club.

Who Is The Killer In Death On The Nile?

Jacqueline and Simon are the two killers she kills Bouc and Louise, he kills his wife Linnet. For the full explanation of their plan and motive, you can read this in-depth study.

Who Dies in Death On The Nile?

There are five final victims:

• Linnet, the rich heiress killed by her husband Simon in league with the ex Jacqueline to steal her assets
• Louise, Linnet’s maid, whose throat Jacqueline cuts to prevent her from revealing that she saw Simon kill his wife
• Bouc, whom Jacqueline shoots shortly before she reveals to Poirot that she saw her kill Linnet
• Jacqueline and Simon, killed by a single shot fired by her to avoid being captured.