Classics: A Review of Ordeal By Innocence By Lauren Ennis

Historically, an ordeal was a physical or mental test which accused persons were forced to endure in order to prove their innocence. These primitive tests included no evidence, and were often fatal regardless of the person’s innocence or guilt. In Agatha Christie’s Ordeal by Innocence the methods may be modern but the ordeal is never less than deadly for the dysfunctional Argyll family. Easily one of the darkest adaptations of Christie’s work, this 2018 miniseries explores the aftermath of a crime and the ways in which the past becomes an ordeal in of itself for both guilty and innocent alike.

There's no place like home for the holidays

The story begins with the brutal killing of famed philanthropist and heiress Rachel Argyll (Anna Chancellor) on Christmas Eve, 1954. The gruesome crime leaves Rachel’s family shattered beyond repair when her adopted son, Jack (Anthony Boyle), is arrested for the murder and later dies in prison before the case reaches trial. The series then flashes ahead a year and a half later as Rachel’s widower, Leo (Bill Nighy), prepares to marry his sultry former secretary. As Rachel and Leo’s four surviving children return home old wounds are laid bare while family secrets threaten to unfurl. In the midst of this already fraught atmosphere a dubious stranger arrives at the estate claiming to be Jack’s alibi for the night of Rachel’s murder. As the revelation of Jack’s innocence comes to light another, more sinister realization descends upon the family; if Jack didn’t kill Rachel, then the killer is still alive and lurking amongst them.

The miniseries combines the best in classic Christie with the elements of a modern psychological thriller to create a viewing experience that is truly to die for. Rather than focusing upon the crime itself and the immediate aftermath the series instead breaks with the traditional murder mystery format by exploring both the events leading up to the murder and the its resonating impact. In this way the series shifts its focus from ‘whodunnit’ to why was it done. Through this twist in its structure the series is afforded a much more modern and complex approach as it delves into the minds of its long list of suspects and explores the events that shaped each of them. As the script reached deeper into the characters’ damaged pasts the series evolved into a gritty psychological thriller that poses as many pointed questions about trauma, violence, social class, and justice as it answers’ about its central murder. While the story is a period piece in the beloved British tradition, its strikingly modern themes of mental health, corruption, and sexual violence lend the proceedings both a sense of urgency and emotional weight. Although viewers have been left divided over the ways in which the script diverges from Christie’s original novel, this reviewer found that the series pays apt homage to the spirit of the original novel while still offering surprises for today’s viewers. Through its combination of classic mystery and modern psychological thriller Ordeal by Innocence is guaranteed to offer twists to satisfy Christie devotees and modern cinephiles alike.

Mommy Dearest

Christie’s tale of murder and malic is brilliantly realized thanks in large part to the work of the talented cast. Anna Chancellor is fascinating as the enigmatic Rachel and perfectly captures the cold charisma that draws others to her against their judgment. Bill Nighy turns in an understated but compelling performance as family patriarch, Leo. Crystal Clarke and Christian Cooke invoke sympathy as tortured siblings Tina and Mickey who share more than their mutual longing to escape their toxic family. Eleanor Tomlinson and Matthew Goode are compulsively watchable in their portrayal of the twisted codependent relationship between haughty eldest sister Mary and her disabled addict husband. Ella Purnell exhibits a childlike charm as wounded wild child Hester. Anthony Boyle is nothing short of magnetic in his turn as black sheep Jack. Luke Treadaway and Morven Christie lend the film its emotional core as Jack’s tormented alibi, Dr. Calgary, and the haunted housekeeper, Kirsten.

Ordeal by Innocence is a mystery that will continue to raise questions long after its shocking conclusion. Through its thought provoking script, engaging performances, and intriguing atmosphere the series is guaranteed to keep viewers guessing until its final reveal. A masterpiece of a mystery that shatters the PBS mod, Ordeal by Innocence is must watch television for the modern mystery buff. After starting this series audiences’ greatest ordeal will be tearing themselves away.

Murder by numbers