One of Agatha Christie's best mystery novels has never been adapted — and it's long overdue

Agatha Christie is famous across the globe as the ‘Queen of Crime.’ She has over 60 detective novels to her name, as well as countless short stories. Some of her iconic works include Hercule Poirot and Miss Marple, which have been adapted into television series, radio plays, and movies for decades.

However, in my opinion, one of her most unique and atmospheric mysteries — Death Comes as the End — still hasn’t been adapted into a movie, and it frankly needs to be.

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A murder mystery in ancient Egypt

Death Comes as the End is unlike any other book written by Christie simply because it is set in Ancient Egypt around 2000 BCE in Thebes. The setting alone puts Ancient Egypt in the spotlight.

The plot follows a respected priest and landowner, Imhotep, who brings a young concubine named Nofret into the fold, which promptly brings chaos within the household, ultimately leading to people mysteriously dying.

As is characteristic of Christie, the riddle is rather enticing. It is unlike her previous works, though — with the inclusion of pyramids, papyri, and family drama within an Egyptian estate. For these reasons, Death Comes as the End feels distinct and courageous, and even after 80 years, it has retained its brilliance.

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Inspired by love and archaeology

Christie was not simply trying to change things up by studying history. Her interest in archaeology was directly linked to her marriage to archaeologist Sir Max Mallowan.

The two traveled the breadth of the Middle East, and Christie often accompanied her husband to his digs in Iraq and Syria. Together with the historical letters known as the Heqanakht Papyri, these experiences helped give the novel a sense of authenticity, making it distinct from more romanticized versions of the ancient world.

In fact, she ensured the accuracy of cultural and historical details with the help of Egyptologist Stephen Glanville. The outcome is a unique blend of grounded and suspense-filled narrative in the form of a novel, deftly blending historical fiction with psychological thriller.

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A missed opportunity for the screen

Back in 2016, the BBC reported that Death Comes as the End was one of seven planned Christie adaptations in consideration for completion by 2020. It was expected to air as a television special in 2019.

However, the plan seems to have faded into obscurity without any formal reason provided post-announcement. While fandoms argue COVID-19 and high production costs are the reasons the adaptation never materialized, it only seems to strengthen the novel’s lesser-known status — which, ironically, mirrors the themes of the novel itself.

This certainly is the case. The story makes the novel worth loving with its rich, appealing setting, multi-dimensional characters, and bold narrative shifts. It best reflects the beauty of Christie’s penmanship.

Most importantly, captivating portrayals of it can enhance the enjoyment for audiences and satisfy people’s boundless hunger for entertainment that defies conventional frameworks of modern, fabricated storytelling.

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Why now is the perfect time

There is an ever-increasing demand for narratives set in ancient worlds, especially those with strong, character-driven plots. The Mummy, Cleopatra, and The Prince of Egypt evoke a great amount of nostalgia, while new blockbusters such as Dune and The Northman demonstrate that historical epics can attract modern audiences when executed properly.

Additionally, Death Comes as the End is not just about murder. It is about grief, ambition, jealousy, and fear — powerful emotions that transcend time and generations, making the world relatable even when filled with smartphones and streaming platforms. Certainly, a careful adaptation as a miniseries or a feature film has the potential to present this novel to a new generation of mystery enthusiasts.

After Sir Kenneth Branagh sparked renewed interest in Christie’s works through his Poirot films, it is fair to assume that he — or similarly passionate visionaries — could finally give Death Comes as the End the attention it has long deserved.