Ordeal by Innocence (2018)

The 2018 BBC adaptation of Agatha Christie’s Ordeal by Innocence is a moody, atmospheric, and emotionally charged retelling of one of the author’s lesser-known but psychologically complex mysteries. Directed by Sandra Goldbacher and featuring a stellar British cast, the three-part miniseries boldly reinvents the original novel, bringing a darker and more stylized edge to Christie’s world of family secrets and fatal lies.

Set in 1950s England, the story revolves around the wealthy and deeply dysfunctional Argyll family. Their matriarch, Rachel Argyll (played with icy command by Anna Chancellor), is brutally murdered, and her adopted son Jack is blamed and imprisoned. Eighteen months later, just as the family is preparing to move on, a stranger named Dr. Arthur Calgary (Luke Treadaway) arrives with shocking news: Jack had an airtight alibi and was innocent all along. This revelation reopens old wounds and sets off a tense and unraveling investigation within the family.

Unlike many Christie adaptations that stick closely to period charm and traditional whodunnit pacing, Ordeal by Innocence takes significant creative risks—most notably by changing the identity of the killer from the original novel. This controversial decision drew both praise and criticism from fans and critics, but it undeniably injected a fresh sense of suspense, even for those familiar with the source material.

Visually, the series is striking, with a cold, muted color palette that mirrors the emotional sterility of the Argyll household. The lavish interiors of the family estate are filled with tension, creating a claustrophobic environment where everyone seems to have something to hide. The use of flashbacks, disjointed memories, and fragmented timelines adds psychological depth and enhances the feeling that the truth is always just out of reach.

The performances are uniformly strong. Bill Nighy brings subtle gravitas as the grieving but secretive father, Leo Argyll. Eleanor Tomlinson and Alice Eve both shine as adopted daughters with vastly different emotional landscapes. However, it's Matthew Goode’s portrayal of the manipulative and menacing Philip Durrant that steals many scenes, adding a layer of disturbing unpredictability to the story.

The series also leans into themes that Christie only subtly explored in the book: abuse, control, power dynamics, and the emotional cost of secrets within a family. Rachel’s character is reimagined as not just a strong-willed matriarch but also a controlling and emotionally abusive figure whose influence continues to haunt the family long after her death.

Ordeal by Innocence (2018) is not a conventional Agatha Christie adaptation, and that’s precisely what makes it compelling. With its psychological depth, morally ambiguous characters, and cinematic presentation, it transforms a mid-century murder mystery into something more modern and unsettling. For viewers looking for a fresh take on classic Christie—one that challenges assumptions and isn’t afraid to break the rules—this series is a gripping, gorgeously dark experience.