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Appointment with Death

Name: Appointment with Death
Director: Michael Winner
Released: 1988
Duration: 102 min

Representation Score

1.5/10

Minimal

1988

Director

Michael Winner

Runtime

102 minutes

Average Rating

No ratings yet

New Showbiz Analysis

Appointment with Death is a conventional mystery that emphasizes genre clichés over progressive storytelling. While it presents a nuanced view of female dominance through Emily Boynton, the film remains entrenched in traditional structures. The narrative lacks depth in exploring multiple aspects of identity, such as LGBTQ+ identities or disability. The setting is used more as a scenic backdrop than a means to explore diverse cultural perspectives. Overall, the film maintains a Western-centric viewpoint, focusing on European characters and reinforcing established social hierarchies without challenging them.

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Category Breakdown

Does Appointment with Death have LGBTQ+ representation?

Minimal

The film focuses solely on heterosexual relationships and marriage, with no representation of LGBTQ+ identities or narratives involving non-binary gender roles.

How does Appointment with Death portray gender?

Fair

Emily Boynton challenges traditional gender roles by portraying a strong, dominant female character with significant influence. This depiction goes beyond typical submissive female stereotypes.

How racially and ethnically diverse is Appointment with Death?

Limited

The cast is primarily composed of European actors, even though the story is set in Egypt. Local characters have minimal impact on the plot and serve mainly as a backdrop for the Western characters.

How does Appointment with Death represent religion and culture?

Limited

The storyline upholds traditional social hierarchies and justice systems. It does not engage with secular or anti-Western themes, instead relying on conventional mystery frameworks.

Does Appointment with Death include disability representation?

Minimal

There are no portrayals of physical or neurodivergent disabilities. No characters' narratives are defined by impairment or disability.

Present on Screen

Emily Boynton's character provides a nuanced portrayal of female dominance and ability to act.
The film moves beyond standard gender clichés by showing women in positions of significant control.

Limited or Absent

The film lacks racial diversity, focusing on Western travelers rather than the local Egyptian population.
There is no representation of LGBTQ+ identities or non-assuming gender matches what was assigned at birth narratives.
The story fails to include characters with visible or invisible disabilities.
The narrative adheres to traditional colonial-era perspectives and social hierarchies.

Official Synopsis

Emily Boynton, the stepmother to three children, blackmails the family lawyer into destroying a second will of her late husband that would have freed the children from her dominating influence. She takes herself, the children, and her daughter-in-law on holiday to Europe and the Holy Land. At a dig, Emily is found dead and Hercule Poirot investigates.

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