I love a good murder mystery, and a haunted Agatha Christie adaptation feels like the perfect fare to kick off spooky season. A Haunting in Venice manages to bring the chills, while also keeping true to the sarcastic whit of Christie’s famous detective, Poirot. While there are some genuine jump scares and creeps, the film remains focused, and delivers a good mystery.
Recent murder mystery films like the Knives Out series (obviously inspired/a love letter to Christie’s work) have set a high bar for the genre. A Haunting in Venice doesn’t quite clear that bar, but it is close. Kenneth Branagh’s take on Poirot continues to be acerbic, dryly comedic, and a delight. It’s that character that anchors the film and serves as a point of grounding in a cast that generally feels two-dimensional and tropey. While that makes for good murder mystery fare, it stops the film from being great. There is one other standout character, but I won’t name them, because spoilers, they’re not around long…
Still, a strong horror sensibility contrasted with dry whit manages to elevate this film above the pack and gives it a unique place in the genre. The camerawork is a true star, bringing the viewer right into the claustrophobic world of a haunted palazzo in Venice. From the first frame, Haunting in Venice knows exactly what it wants to be and communicates it effectively through beautiful setting and an uneasy score.
Overall, if you’re looking for some good, spooky fare to kick off the season, I recommend A Haunting in Venice. I’m a wimp when it comes to scary movies, and I managed to make it through, although there were some parts that were terrifying. The cast all play their parts well, and it’s hard to not want to follow Poirot on whatever mystery he’s embarking on next. Also, at a short 108 minutes (a rarity these days), it’s an easy watch.
3.5/5 Stars – If spooky murder mystery sounds good to you, then give this one a watch!
Ashton Macaulay 