Looking for a fun mystery thriller that has a spooky feel to it? If so, then look no further than 20th Century Fox's A Haunting in Venice. Following Death on The Nile and Murder on The Orient Express, the third film in the Kenneth Branagh directed trilogy has him reprising his role as Belgian detective Hercule Poirot. Released during the fall season to coincide with Halloween, Venice provides audiences with a seasonal treat that's both darker and spookier than the previous films with the story still maintaining the same Clue-like mystery feel to it that's accompanied by visuals as well as another star-studded cast.
Based on Agatha Christie's bestselling novel Hallowe'en Party, Venice has detective Poirot, now retired and living in Italy in a self-imposed exile. He reluctantly attends a seance at a decaying haunted palazzo where he soon gets thrust into a sinister mystery when one of the guests is murdered. Darker than the previous Poirot stories and full of sinister secrets involving key players in the story, A Haunting In Venice takes the mystery aspect of its plot to the next level, though doesn't quite outdo the previous Poirot tales. It is within the performances from its strong ensemble along with stellar production values, which give the film a spooky vibe and ultimately make it work with Branagh's directing that remains as enthusiastic as ever in telling these slick mystery stories.
With any Poirot cinematic mystery, it's the work of the film's ensemble cast that plays a significant part in keeping the audience engaged. The cast presented here plays their roles with complete devotion towards telling the story with the strongest work coming from Branagh, Tina Fey, and Michelle Yeoh. Branagh once again commands the story with a classy performance as retired world-renowned Belgian detective Hercule Poirot, who once again uncovers something sinister lurking in the shadows. Tina Fey impresses as Poirot's friend Ariadne Oliver, who happens to be a crime novelist. Michelle Yeoh also delivers impressive work as supposed psychic medium, Joyce Reynolds with her performing one of the film's most intense moments. Other notable performances from Venice's impressive cast include Kyle Allen as Alicia Drake's ex-fiance Maxime Gerard, Camille Cottin as Rowena's housekeeper Olga Seminoff, Jamie Dornan as Dr. Leslie Ferrier, Jude Hill as Dr. Terrier's precocious son, Leopold, Kelly Reilly as Alicia's mother Rowena, Rowan Robinson as her deceased daughter, Alicia, Riccardo Scamarcio as Poirot's bodyguard Vitale, and Amir El-Masry as a young man named Alessandro, who seeks Poirot's help. Though Venice's cast isn't as star-studded as the previous films, the ensemble here shines in churning out fantastic performances.
With Venice's directing, Branagh creates a spooky mood while doing an excellent job of showcasing Italy's exotic locations. Given his heavy use of dutch angles, Branagh uses them throughout the course of the film in addition to making the atmosphere appear much darker than the previous films. He does a stellar job of building up the suspense while filling it with numerous jump scares and key graphic sequences such as a character being pushed out of a window and impaled on a statue below or another committing suicide by stabbing themselves. There's one sequence in particular which involves a Halloween seance that proves extremely effective in driving up the audience's anxiety regarding the mystery behind the story. As far as directing goes, Branagh once again establishes himself as being an expert filmmaker who can take classic literature and present it on the screen while giving it both a rich and grand feel. Though audiences may find the films beginning portion to move a bit slow, they'll find themselves being engaged once the stories spook factor kicks in.
Whereas Murder On the Orient Express and Death On The Nile both had their stories be murder mystery centered, Venice sticks to the same formula while exploring themes including truth, regret, sin, tragedy, ghosts, and happiness vs. satisfaction with the overall story showing how heartbreak can ultimately lead to desperation. The script is well-written to where it doesn't make it obvious who the killer is and paints each main character as being a possible suspect with dark secrets behind revealed as Poirot is thrusted into a double homicide murder case. While the writing succeeds at making the film feel like one giant puzzle that audiences will enjoy piecing together, it's third act leaves something to be desired after the first two acts being reliably strong.
As good as the film goes about solving the latest murder mystery, it doesn't quite feel as satisfying as the previous stories. However, as a faithful adaptation of Agatha Christie's classic novel and as a film meant to serve up a delicious Halloween treat this fall moviegoing season, A Haunting In Venice satisfies while pushing its established formula to the limit.
Final Verdict: Worth seeing if you're a fan of Agatha Christie's work or Kenneth Branagh as an actor and director.
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