A Haunting in Venice 2023 is a spooky Halloween mystery that tests Kenneth Branagh’s Hercule Poirot, writes DAVID SAUNDERSON
Review of A Haunting in Venice 2023
I chose to watch A Haunting in Venice for one obvious reason. It had the word “haunting” in the title.
This is Kenneth Branagh’s third film as Agatha Christie’s Belgian detective Hercule Poirot. I enjoyed the first, Murder on the Orient Express, but missed Death on the Nile. Fortunately, you do not need to have seen either to follow this one.
The story takes place in Venice on Halloween in 1947. Poirot has retired and wants to be left alone. Naturally, that does not last.
Crime writer Ariadne Oliver, played by Tina Fey, persuades him to attend a séance in a supposedly haunted palazzo. Michelle Yeoh plays the medium, Joyce Reynolds. Poirot plans to expose her as a fraud. Then somebody dies and the evening becomes rather more complicated.
I will say no more about the plot. Funnily enough, I watched a new episode of Mark Gatiss’s Bookish the other night which also involved the murder of a medium. Perhaps murdered mediums are having a moment. Whoops, I’ve said too much!
A Haunting in Venice is loosely based on Agatha Christie’s 1969 novel Hallowe’en Party. I have not read it, but a quick look at the book’s plot suggests little survives in the film beyond a few characters and ideas. The book takes place in an English village, not Venice. The séance, haunted palazzo and supernatural atmosphere largely belong to the film.
Branagh called it a “supernatural thriller” rather than a horror film. That seems fair. It has ghosts, dark corridors, strange voices and a few jump scares. Beneath the Halloween decorations, however, it remains a murder mystery.
Even Poirot seems unsure whether he faces human wickedness or something supernatural. Branagh does a good job of appearing completely shitscared while trying to preserve Poirot’s dignity.
I also like that Branagh does not make Poirot too much of a freak. The enormous moustache remains, of course, but the man beneath it feels human. He is eccentric without becoming a complete caricature.
David Suchet remains my Poirot. I once stood beside the actor in an airport immigration queue while returning to the UK. This has nothing to do with the film, but it is my only personal connection to the international world of Hercule Poirot.
Tina Fey is interesting as Ariadne Oliver, particularly because she is not there merely as comic relief. Michelle Yeoh gives the medium real authority and mystery. Kelly Reilly, Jamie Dornan and the rest of the cast serve the story well, although some characters receive more attention than others.
The real star is the setting. Venice looks wet, shadowy and claustrophobic. The crumbling palazzo provides secret rooms, gloomy staircases and plenty of places for ghosts or murderers to hide. A violent storm conveniently traps everyone inside.
My main problem is the solution. A good murder mystery should make you kick yourself for missing the clues. Here, the final explanation feels as though the filmmakers pulled it out of the air. Poirot explains everything with confidence, but I am not convinced the audience had a fair chance of reaching the same answer.
Still, A Haunting in Venice is a fun supernatural thriller with strong Halloween overtones. It is not especially frightening and its mystery does not entirely satisfy. But it creates an enjoyably spooky atmosphere.
A fun fact: Filming began on 31 October 2022 — Halloween itself. Apparently that is considered a spooky day. Who knew?
