By Keith Walther | Rose Law Group Reporter
A whodunit murder mystery mixed with the supernatural in an old, exotic city that has its fair share of ghosts sets the stage for an engaging, plot twisting film. Based on Agatha Christie’s 1969 novel “Hallowe’en Party,” “A Haunting in Venice” is somewhat of a sequel in that it features Kenneth Branagh once again sporting the teased moustache of the famed French sleuth but is still a standalone movie that can be enjoyed without watching the others.
After retiring and exiling himself to Venice, Italy in 1947, Hercule Poirot (Kenneth Branagh) has convinced himself that his murder solving days are long behind him until an old acquaintance shows up needing a favor. Ariadne Oliver (Tina Fey) is an author on the hunt for her next big novel, and she enlists Poirot’s help to uncover the truth of the suspicious death of Rowena Drake’s (Kelly Reilly) daughter. The grieving mother also hires a famous medium, Mrs. Reynolds (Michelle Yeoh), to delve into the reported hauntings at the palazzo where the untimely death occurred.
Events take a drastic turn when guests start getting murdered, causing Poirot to shut down all exits from the building. Not only must he identify the very real killer amongst suspects each with a believable motive to commit the murders, but he also must deal with the creepy hauntings plaguing his mind. Is it trickery? Or is it something more sinister and surreal? One thing is certain, Poirot’s rational and scientific deduction will be put to the test.
“A Haunting in Venice” is the third film featuring Kenneth Branagh as Hercule Poirot, the previous two being “Murder on the Orient Express” and “Death on the Nile.” All three films are also directed by the Oscar winner (“Belfast”) and while the prior two were decent yet forgettable, this latest entry has enough suspense and cleverness to make it the best of the three. What makes this film stand out is the horror element that provides some goosebump inducing scenes complete with a couple of jump scares.
Branagh uses the aging grunginess of Venice coupled with a dark and stormy night and an ominous score to accentuate the foreboding nature of the story. His inclusion of the supernatural helps to distract the audience from an otherwise typical and predictable “Clue”-like murder mystery. He also throws some well-timed curveballs that casts doubt on who the killer actually is.
As for Branagh’s performance, he once again excels as the French detective who doesn’t miss a clue. He incorporates a flawless French accent, which many actors tend to avoid due to the difficulty, but he seems make it look effortless. He has a commanding screen presence that leads the audience through the multiple layers of a complex plot.
The supporting cast features some memorable performances from Oscar winner Michelle Yeoh (“Everything Everywhere All at Once”), Emmy winner Tina Fey (“30 Rock”), and Kelly Reilly, best known for her portrayal of Beth Dutton from the hit TV series “Yellowstone.” In a dialogue driven movie, it’s important to have a capable cast, and they do not disappoint, each portraying their characters believably while hiding key secrets that could reveal their guilt or innocence.
“A Haunting in Venice” is certainly more of a mystery than horror but with a sufficient amount of creepy suspense that will appease many horror fans. It may not be as good as a “Knives Out” or “Glass Onion,” but it’s still entertaining enough to be worth a rental at the very least.
This movie earns:
