Kenneth Branaugh is back in his third outing as Hercule Poirot, the famed Agatha Christie sleuth. A Haunting in Venice is based off of the Christie novel, "Hallowe'en Party." This movie is easily the best of the Poirot trilogy.
Though the film is set in Venice, almost the entire movie takes place in a home. This adds to the claustrophobic vibe of the film. While there is a supernatural aspects to this movie, it is still a murder mystery. The story revolves around a friend of Poirot's that invites him to attend a seance led by a very popular medium who is suspected of being a fake. Poirot is intrigued but hopes to show that the world of the supernatural is merely a fantasy. The story is up to interpretation and you end up with more a classic who-done-it movie than a horror movie.
The surrounding cast is exceptional. Tina Fey plays an author that helps Poirot during the investigation and is sassy and a delight. Michelle Yeoh is solid as usual and plays the medium. Jamie Dornan plays a veteran doctor who is suffering from PTSD.
In the end we get a solid movie that has some elements of horror so I wouldn't recommend it for everyone. But some spooky moments added into this murder mystery make for a wonderfully delightful film to watch.
Deleted Scenes
- Morning Routine
- The Doge’s Palace
- Halloween Party Extended
- Desdemona’s Warning
- Children’s Story
- Poirot Needs Air
- Guarding The Gates
- Secret Doorway Extended
- Ferrier’s Shouts
- Poirot Pauses for Thought
- Journey Home