The Jewel of the Nile

The Jewel of the Nile has quietly become one of the more dependable comedies currently available in Australia on Disney Plus, and in the UK on Disney Plus. The runtime earns every minute, with nothing here that feels like padding. A 6/10 rating says what the writing already makes obvious: this one works. Michael Douglas is the obvious draw, but the whole ensemble earns its laughs. Available now on Disney Plus — press play and find out why people keep recommending it.

There is a reason The Jewel of the Nile keeps coming up in conversation. The Jewel of the Nile gets the fundamentals right first, then finds room to get weird with it. Joan Wilder is thrust back into a world of murder, chases, foreign intrigue... And love. This time out she's duped by a duplicitous Arab dignitary who brings her to the Middle East, ostensibly to write a book about his life. Michael Douglas and Kathleen Turner lead a cast that brings real weight to the material. It was released in 1985. The real test of any comedy is whether it is still funny once you know all the jokes, and The Jewel of the Nile holds up on rewatch in a way that separates it from one-off curiosities. It delivers reliably on what it promises, which is more than most of its competition manages.

For viewers who want something light without wanting something stupid, The Jewel of the Nile respects your intelligence. It has built its own audience without needing a direct comparison. It is a manageable watch, easy to fit into a single evening. Michael Douglas sets the tone, but the supporting cast is where a lot of the best moments come from. A reliable pick for any night you want quality comedy without the homework.