You remember that song, right? That haunting, rhythmic thumping of Imagine Dragons' "Believer" playing over shots of a snowbound steam engine. When the first trailer for Orient Express—specifically Kenneth Branagh’s 2017 star-studded remake—hit the internet, people were... conflicted. Some loved the modern energy. Others thought putting 21st-century alt-rock over a 1930s Agatha Christie mystery was a bit much.
But it worked.
The trailer did exactly what a teaser is supposed to do: it made a dusty literary classic feel like a high-stakes blockbuster. It didn't just sell a movie; it sold an atmosphere.
The Anatomy of a Perfect Mystery Teaser
Look, cutting a trailer for a mystery is hard. If you show too much, you ruin the "whodunnit" aspect. Show too little, and it looks like a boring period piece about people drinking tea on a train.
The 2017 trailer for Orient Express mastered the "Introduction of the Suspects" trope. It’s a classic trope for a reason. You have the camera gliding through the narrow corridors of the train, stopping briefly on faces we all know. Johnny Depp. Daisy Ridley. Michelle Pfeiffer. Willem Dafoe. Judi Dench.
It’s basically a flex.
By the time you see Kenneth Branagh’s Hercule Poirot—and that absolutely massive, gravity-defying mustache—you’re already hooked on the scale of it. The trailer used a "one-shot" style movement that made the train feel claustrophobic yet grand. It’s a paradox. You’re trapped in luxury.
Why the Music Choice Was Controversial
Music in trailers is usually "braam" sounds or generic orchestral swells. This one went different.
Using "Believer" was a gamble. Traditionalists hated it. They wanted something orchestral, maybe something that sounded like Richard Rodney Bennett’s score from the 1974 version. But 20th Century Fox wasn't trying to reach people who already had the book on their nightstand. They wanted teenagers. They wanted the "cool" factor.
The heavy bass syncs up with the train wheels hitting the tracks. Thump-thump. Thump-thump. It creates a ticking clock in your head. It tells the audience that this isn't your grandma’s mystery. It’s a thriller.
Comparing the 1974 and 2017 Teasers
If you go back and watch the original 1974 trailer for Orient Express, the vibe is totally different. It’s much more theatrical. There’s a narrator with a deep, booming voice telling you exactly who the stars are.
"The greatest cast of suspicious characters ever involved in a murder!"
It’s campy. It’s fun. But it wouldn't work today. Modern audiences are more cynical. We don't want to be told it's a great cast; we want to see the tension in their eyes. The 2017 trailer relies on visual storytelling—a blood-stained kimono, a glass of wine shaking, a pistol being loaded.
The Mustache Factor
We have to talk about the mustache. Honestly, the first time I saw the trailer for Orient Express, I couldn't look at anything else. Kenneth Branagh’s Poirot has a facial hair situation that is, frankly, aggressive.
In the books, Christie describes Poirot’s mustache as "very stiff and military." Branagh took that and dialed it up to eleven. The trailer used this as a visual anchor. It tells you right away that this version of Poirot is a bit more eccentric, maybe a bit more of an action hero than the Albert Finney or David Suchet versions.
It was a branding masterstroke. You might forget the plot, but you won't forget that mustache.
How Trailers Influence Modern Mystery Trends
Because that trailer for Orient Express was such a massive hit (it racked up millions of views in its first 24 hours), it changed how studios market mysteries. Look at the trailers for Knives Out or Death on the Nile.
They all follow the "Orient Express Template" now:
- A rapid-fire introduction of an ensemble cast.
- A singular, iconic detective figure.
- A modern, rhythmic soundtrack to make it feel fast-paced.
- Vibrant, saturated colors that pop on a smartphone screen.
Basically, the 2017 trailer proved that there is still a massive appetite for "locked room" mysteries, provided they look expensive and feel urgent.
The "Clue" We All Missed
One thing most people missed in the first trailer for Orient Express was the seating arrangement. If you pause the video at exactly the right moment during the "Last Supper" style shot of the dining car, you can actually see the power dynamics of the suspects.
The way the characters are framed—who is looking at who, who is shielding their face—it's all intentional. Most trailers just throw clips together. This one was choreographed.
It’s also interesting to note what the trailer didn't show. It didn't show the snow as a barrier until the very end. It focused on the interior warmth, making the eventual "cold" of the murder feel even more jarring.
What Really Happened with the Marketing?
Behind the scenes, the marketing team was terrified that audiences wouldn't care about a story that had already been told a dozen times. Everyone knows the ending, right? (Well, if you don't, I won't spoil it, but it’s a legendary twist).
The goal of the trailer for Orient Express was to make you doubt what you thought you knew. It used taglines like "Everyone is a suspect" to imply that maybe, just maybe, this version would change the ending.
It didn't, of course. But the possibility was enough to drive a $350 million global box office.
Actionable Takeaways for Movie Buffs and Creators
If you’re a fan of the genre or someone interested in how these things are made, there’s a lot to learn from how this film was sold to us.
First, pay attention to "thematic sound design." The next time you watch a mystery trailer, mute it. See if the visuals still tell a story. If they don't, it’s a bad trailer.
Second, look at the color grading. The trailer for Orient Express used a lot of deep blues and warm oranges (teal and orange, the classic Hollywood combo) to create a sense of luxury and impending doom.
Third, notice the "stare down." Every suspect in that trailer has a 2-second clip where they look directly into the camera. It’s a psychological trick to make the viewer feel like the detective. You are Poirot. You are judging them.
To get the most out of your next mystery movie experience, try these steps:
- Watch the trailer on a big screen with good headphones. Most of the clues in modern trailers are hidden in the foley work—the sound of a clicking lock or a sharp intake of breath.
- Compare the "Teaser" to the "Official Trailer." Usually, the teaser (the first one released) is much more artistic and mood-focused, while the second trailer gives away way too much of the plot. Stick to the teasers if you want to remain surprised.
- Research the Cinematographer. In the case of Orient Express, it was Haris Zambarloukos. He shot it on 65mm film, which is why the trailer looks so much "deeper" and more textured than your average digital movie.
The legacy of the trailer for Orient Express isn't just about one movie. It’s about how it revived a genre that many thought was dead and buried in the 1970s. It proved that with the right music, a killer cast, and a really big mustache, you can make an old story feel brand new again.
