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 to uncover the killer.
In Kenneth Branagh's latest Agatha Christie movie, A Haunting in Venice, we follow the famous detective Hercule Poirot on yet another exciting adventure. This is the third movie in Branagh's series, following Murder on the Orient Express and Death on the Nile. Poirot, played by Branagh himself, finds himself in the beautiful but mysterious city of Venice, where he tries to stay out of trouble but ends up in the middle of a strange and deadly case.
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At the start of the movie, Poirot is in Venice, trying to avoid getting involved in any mysteries. He even hires someone to protect him from people who want his help. But trouble always seems to find him. Ariadne Oliver, played by Tina Fey, a friend who writes mystery stories, invites him to a strange party at Rowena Drake's house, a former opera singer played by Kelly Reilly. The highlight of the party is a seance led by Joyce Reynolds, a famous psychic or possibly a fake, played by Michelle Yeoh. Oliver wants Poirot to help figure out if the seance is real or a hoax.
From the beginning, A Haunting in Venice sets a spooky and mysterious mood. Venice is covered in thick mist, and the eerie music by Hildur Guðnadóttir adds to the creepy feeling. As bells ring and crows caw, you can't help but feel that something bad is about to happen. The movie does a great job of creating a scary atmosphere, which sets it apart from the other movies in the series.
While the movie may have some awkward moments and scenes that could have been done better, it doesn't shy away from the supernatural elements of the story. Some viewers might guess who the killer is, but the script by Michael Green has enough surprises to keep us guessing.
Unlike the previous movies, which were about revenge and greed, A Haunting in Venice explores the idea of life after death. It makes us think about whether there's something beyond this life. This adds depth to the story as Poirot tries to solve the murder mystery while also dealing with questions about the afterlife.
One of the best things about this movie is its excellent craftsmanship. Kenneth Branagh uses creative camera work and angles to make us feel like we're seeing things from a child's perspective or from the point of view of spirits in the haunted house. This unique style adds to the spooky feeling and draws us into the supernatural world.
The movie also combines computer-generated effects with real locations in Venice and soundstages to make everything feel real and weighty. It shows the beauty of Venice but also the strange and eerie events happening in its historic streets and canals.
Kenneth Branagh's performance as Poirot is once again impressive. While he's not as over-the-top as in the previous movie, he still captures the character's quirks and accent. This time, Poirot is more complex, and Branagh brings out these layers well, making him a compelling character in this supernatural mystery.
A Haunting in Venice might have some predictable moments and scenes that could have been better, but it excels at creating a spooky atmosphere and making us think about the mysteries of life and death. The shift towards a more old-fashioned horror style, reminiscent of movies from the mid-20th century, gives Branagh's Agatha Christie adaptations a unique flavour.
With interesting characters, a mysterious setting, and a plot that keeps us guessing, A Haunting in Venice is another exciting addition to the Poirot series. It encourages us to ponder life's mysteries, both in this world and beyond, making it a valuable part of Branagh's Christie collection.
A Haunting in Venice was released in NZ cinemas on September 14, 2023