A Haunting in Venice movie review. Detective Hercule Poirot, who entered our lives with Agatha Christie novels, made many film adaptations and also appeared on the theater stage, took his place in cinemas with the movie Murder in Venice, the third of his collaboration with director and actor Kenneth Branagh.
The third reunion after Murder on the Orient Express and Death on the Nile, A Haunting of Venice, with its original name, carries its adventure to Venice, as its name suggests. In addition to Branagh, the cast includes names such as Michelle Yeoh, Jamie Dornan, Tina Fey, Riccardo Scamarcio, Camille Cottin and Kelly Reilly. Even though the movie proceeds on the basis of a previously committed murder, let’s say that it should not be a surprise for the audience to expect new murders where Poirot is and let’s move on to the movie.
Murder in Venice begins with Poirot, who has decided to retire, being invited to a house by his writer friend Ariadne Oliver. The fact that there is a medium and that there may be clues to a murder attracts Poirot’s attention, but most importantly, his desire to prove that the medium is a fraud excites him even more. The story and the medium’s entrance during Halloween are also reflected in the film’s atmosphere and cinematography choice.
Film; It welcomes us with eerie sounds, blurry and off-angle images, close-ups that convey the tension of the characters, and plenty of storms. Of course, although we move indoors, the Venetian background is also used impressively. We can easily say that very successful choices were made in this regard and this uncanniness was passed on to the audience. So much so that even our detective, known for his courage, gets his share of this tense environment and makes the audience feel the experience of tense moments, especially at the beginning. Of course, at this point, it is a great advantage that the director-actor duo has Branagh as one hand.
Tina Fey is the name that alone bears the humorous power of the film. He uses this power a lot when it comes to creating characters. Not only that, it also makes humor/references to Poirot and the trilogy (I guess we can call it that). He subtly makes fun of our magnificent and confident detective. While he makes moves to bring her to his senses, he hints that he may not be as good as he thinks in some matters.
While Fey and Branagh’s scenes provide small breaks from the tension and cold atmosphere, they also manage to let the audience breathe. New Oscar winner Michelle Yeoh and other characters maintain the balance with their serious performances. Branagh, on the other hand, is where he should be in terms of both story and performance and is right in the middle of everything.
This time, Poirot faces supernatural and spiritual situations that have become legendary as the “curse of children” as well as murder suspects. Poirot is strongly against this issue, but he also witnesses events that cause him to have constant doubts. Branagh does not make a definitive judgment on this situation until the end of the film, and even at the end.
Poriot, who never compromises on reality while solving murders, does not talk hypothetically and reaches clear results, this time winks a little to the world of spirits. Branagh, who is in the director’s chair, prefers to leave the decision to the audience, but with small touches. For the detective, who is now getting older and it is unclear whether he will retire or not, these interrogations in the new story are decisive for his career.
Maybe it’s time to compromise? Or it is best to retire. Who knows? Maybe this situation will cause him to hold on to his profession more tightly. All of these may be indicators of whether Branagh will continue the series. The same indecision may have affected him, just like the character he plays. Time will show that. Of course, this indecision does not affect the master detective in the murder solving phase, but it may make the director think about his career.
In the final analysis, we have a new Poirot movie that makes good use of the Halloween atmosphere and makes a nice addition to the classic narrative in the horror thriller genre. Both those who love detective work and murder mysteries, and those looking for the atmosphere of tension I mentioned, will leave the hall happily. When we look at it as a trilogy, I think it would not be wrong to say that it will be of the same value as the first two films.
If we look at it as a trilogy again, we can say that Branagh’s new journey for the character received a passing grade. One can say that it is a movie and series that can be watched with pleasure without expecting a masterpiece. Branagh, who entered the cinema years ago with Shakespeare adaptations, ended his last years with Christie. Let’s see which author will be his next stop. Enjoy watching…
All about A Haunting in Venice movie.
A Haunting in Venice (2023)
Directed by: Kenneth Branagh
Starring: Kenneth Branagh, Kyle Allen, Camille Cottin, Jamie Dornan, Tina Fey, Jude Hill, Ali Khan, Emma Laird, Kelly Reilly, Riccardo Scamarcio, Michelle Yeoh, Fernando Piloni
Screenplay by: Michael Green
Production Design by: John Paul Kelly
Cinematography by: Haris Zambarloukos
Film Editing by: Lucy Donaldson
Costume Design by: Sammy Sheldon
Set Decoration by: Celia Bobak
Art Direction by: Susanna Codognato, Peter Russell, Chris Stephenson
Music by: Hildur Guðnadóttir
MPAA Rating: PG-13 for some strong violence, disturbing images and thematic elements.
Distributed by: 20th Century Studios, Walt Disney Pictures
Release Date: September 15, 2023
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