A Haunting in Venice (2023)

In the third Agatha Christie movie directed by Kenneth Branagh, A Haunting in Venice, the retired Hercule Poirot (Kenneth Branagh) is invited to a seance where one of the attendees is murdered (of course). No one is allowed to leave until the crime is solved. Poirot doesn’t believe in the supernatural. So, will the events that ensue convince him to believe?

The plot of A Haunting in Venice is intriguing and kept me guessing, but it is not as engaging as previous movies in this series. Although the acting is decent, the characters are not as developed as in previous films.

Kenneth Branagh’s direction is solid but, again, lacks the flair and creativity of his previous work. The cinematography is beautiful and captures the essence of Venice. The score is atmospheric and adds to the spookiness of the impressive design of the haunted palazzo where the events take place. The special effects are well done, but there is a much too heavy reliance on jump scares. The pacing is brisk but feels too rushed at times. The dialogue is witty and entertaining but lacks the depth and complexity of the previous movies.

As you can tell, A Haunting in Venice wasn’t, for me, as impressive as the first two movies. I was entertained but didn’t feel satisfied. The spooky atmosphere and beautiful cinematography are the film’s best aspects. It’s a decent addition to the series but not great. If you are a fan of Agatha Christie’s work, check it out. But it may not be as enjoyable for those who are not familiar with the characters or the previous two movies (Murder on the Orient Express (2027) and Death on the Nile (2022).

(In cinemas in Australia – check your local movie guide for show times.)