A Haunting in Venice: Movie Review
Oops a little late today but here I am, dearest reader!
I saw A Haunting in Venice last weekend as a little treat to myself since I have been really enjoying that line of Agatha Christi adaptations (the first two being Murder On The Orient Express and Death On The Nile) and this one seemed perfect for the upcoming spooky season! Don’t worry, dearest reader, I kept the review spoiler-free since it’s just come out.
Onwards!
The Movie
Based on the Christi novel, Hallowe’en Party, A Haunting in Venice is a 2023 American mystery movie that was directed by Kenneth Branaugh and stars Kenneth Branagh, Kyle Allen, Camille Cottin, Jamie Dornan, Tina Fey, Jude Hill, Ali Khan, Emma Laird, Kelly Reilly, Riccardo Scamarcio, and Michelle Yeoh.
This acts as a sequel to Death on the Nile (2022) and is the third film in the Branaugh movie series.
In post-World War II Venice, Poirot, now retired and living in his own exile, reluctantly attends a seance. But when one of the guests is murdered, it is up to the former detective to once again uncover the killer. — IMdB description
The film opens on the lovely detective living in Venice, having retired from solving crimes due to the horror and toll it took on him. He gets an unexpected visit from a friend, a female author, who convinces him to go to a Hallowe’en party to debunk a famous psychic who is planning on hosting a séance. Poor Poirot is forced back on the case in a haunted, dilapidated Venice house as a storm rages on outside, cutting them off from help.
The Review
I know I didn’t review the first two movies in this series, mainly because they were pure mysteries while this one had a more horror lean to it. Simply put, as I said above, I have really enjoyed all of them. A Haunting in Venice is my favourite, Murder on the Orient Express is my second favourite, while Death On The Nile comes in third. Just so you know. I know you were wondering. PLM, tell us, rank the movies, we need to know. Well, there ya go.
Right away, I was swept away in the beautiful cinematography, as the camera sweeps over the Venice landscape (Venetian-scape?) and we find Poirot avoiding everyone as he indulges in baked goods. What a vibe.
One thing this movie has in spades is atmosphere, especially once we follow the detective to the eerie Orphans’ Ball held in a house purported to be haunted by dead kids. Wow, nice. Way to support those kids’ mental health.
The movie hit predictable plot points — the séance hinting that the ghost didn’t die of natural causes, murder, suspicions, the eventual reveal — but I still had a lot of fun! I did manage to guess a certain part of the plot earlier on and I was a smug little goat when it was confirmed, but I didn’t manage to guess the murderer(s).
So high points: atmosphere, all-star cast, fun spooks, decadent settings, and a clean little mystery! I personally didn’t find any downsides, I just went in wanting to have fun and I did. I have seen reviews stating that the start was slow or it didn’t hit as well with them, but I really enjoyed it. I think it’s a great flick to watch for the season and it has just the right amount of suspense and mystery to hold you hooked until the end.
9/10
If you end up watching the movie, let me know what you think!
Until next week,
x PLM
