Film Review: "A Haunting in Venice" (2023).

"Death was only the beginning" in A Haunting in Venice. This supernatural mystery film directed by Kenneth Branagh, adapted by Michael Green, and based on the 1969 novel Hallowe'en Party by Agatha Christie. It is the sequel to Death on the Nile (2022). Set in eerie, post-World War II Venice on All Hallows’ Eve, now retired and living in self-imposed exile in the world’s most glamorous city, celebrated sleuth Hercule Poirot reluctantly attends a séance at a decaying, haunted palazzo. When one of the guests is murdered, the detective is thrust into a sinister world of shadows and secrets.

In February 2022, Branagh stated that discussions for additional films were ongoing. The filmmaker and star stated that he hopes the film series becomes a franchise of films including other characters created by Christie. In March, 20th Century Studios president Steve Asbell confirmed that a third movie was in development. with Branagh returning as director and star, and Green returning to pen the installment. The film will see a lesser known Poirot story be the basis for the plot, with the setting changed from the UK to post-war Venice, Italy. It is the first film adaptation of the story. By late October, the film was officially announced with Kyle Allen, Camille Cottin, Jamie Dornan, Tina Fey, Jude Hill, Ali Khan, Emma Laird, Kelly Reilly, Riccardo Scamarcio, and Michelle Yeoh rounding out the film's cast. At the same time, principal photography commenced and wrapped in January 2023. Filming took place at Pinewood Studios in Buckinghamshire, England and throughout Venice. Unlike its predecessors, which were both filmed in Panavision Super 70mm in the widescreen 2.39:1 aspect ratio, the film was shot digitally, with Sony Venice cameras in the taller 1.85:1 aspect ratio. Branagh worked with the technical department to cause surprises for the cast. The actors were not warned about lights going out suddenly, or gusts of wind and slamming doors on the sets in which they worked, causing genuine confused and startled reactions from the actors to appear in the film. In April, it was revealed that Hildur Guðnadóttir was hired to score the film's score, marking the first in the series not to be composed by Branagh's frequent collaborator Patrick Doyle.

The film stars Branagh, Allen, Cottin, Dornan, Fey, Hill, Khan, Laird, Reilly, Scamarcio, and Yeoh. Branagh’s third performance as the infamous detective is fine, casual and he allowed each actor -- and there are many -- to have a moment in the spotlight.

All who enjoy Agatha Christie novels for the cleverly put-together puzzles and familiar characters, are sure to be disappointed with this version. A sequel that is slightly superior to the predecessor when Branagh takes Poirot's magnifying glass, but its whodunit mystery on the Nile is not able to hide the weaknesses that sink its plot into a regular and predictable canal. Might take forever to get going with its extremely long first act & gives to many indicators to who the killer will be making it obvious before the murder happen but still I found it surprisingly entertaining in the back half.

Simon says A Haunting in Venice receives:

Also, see my review for Death on the Nile.