Kenneth Branagh’s next Hercule Poirot movie is releasing this year. The film looks very different than the first two films of the franchise. A Haunting In Venice is set in the eerie, post – World War II Venice on a Halloween Eve. This film is supposed to be a terrifying mystery featuring the return of the celebrated sleuth. Hercule Poirot is now retired and has imposed self-exile in the most beautiful city of the world- Venice. One day, he has to reluctantly attend a seance at a deteriorating haunted palazzo after which the inevitable happens – one of the guests gets murdered and Poirot has to enter into the world of secrets and shadows to solve this case. The premise seems extremely promising but the problem with these Poirot movies are the screenplays. They don’t adapt the source material well for a cinematic experience. The first two films were critically panned down but this one seems to have generated strong reactions from critics. Keep reading below to find out what the critics have to say.
A Haunting In Venice First Reactions – A Strong Whodunnit!
- Mireia Mullor (Digital Spy) – “A Haunting in Venice is the best movie in Kenneth Branaghs’s Hercule Poirot saga. It’s an ingenious, twisty and surprisingly spooky whodunnit, blessed with a nightmarish version of Venice and a stellar cast.”
- Carson Timar, Editor in Chief of Clapper posted on X (formerly known as Twitter),
A HAUNTING IN VENICE is a fantastic Halloween murder mystery that is easily Kenneth Branagh's best Hercule Poirot feature to date. With incredible visuals, a brooding haunting tone, and a satisfying conclusion, this has all the elements to be a yearly tradition #AHauntingInVenice pic.twitter.com/lehiFFFp5Q
— Carson Timar (@BP_MovieReviews) September 7, 2023
- Jazz Tangcay (Variety) – “Loved the Belfast reunion with Jude Hill and Jamie Dornan,” she wrote, adding: “Another brilliant and thrilling whodunnit from Kenneth Branagh.”
- Tessa Smith, a film critic on Rotten Tomatoes posted on X (previously known as Twitter),
A Haunting In Venice perfectly combines mystery and horror elements in a way that neither one overshadows the other. It's spooky with fantastic jump scares and a great mystery. My two favorite genres so I am very happy. Tina Fey is fantastic! #AHauntingInVenice pic.twitter.com/dE2lyjen2F
— Tessa Smith – Mama's Geeky (@MamasGeeky) September 7, 2023
- Bill Bria (Slash Film) – “Another solid Branagh Poirot picture!”
- Joe Russo (film director of Avengers: Endgame, Avengers: Infinity War, Captain America: The Winter Soldier, etc.) said it was “dripping with macabre”. He further added, “The Halloween-set murder mystery is a wide-angle lens love-fest that is a welcome stylistic shakeup, swapping NILE’s green screens for atmospheric, physical locations.”
- Rebecca Lewis writer for Hello Magazine posted on X (formerly known as Twitter),
A Haunting In Venice takes time to find its groove but once settled is captivating, helped by gorgeous production design & score, & just enough jump scares to keep you on edge. I wasn't expecting such a deep character examination of Poirot in a horror but Branagh surprises again. pic.twitter.com/BuGtXuGVt1
— Rebecca Lewis (@bexlewis361) September 7, 2023
- Rama Tampubolon (Rama’s Screen), disagreed with his fellow critics, claiming A Haunting in Venice “was the weakest of the Hercule Poirot saga”.
A HAUNTING IN VENICE was the weakest of Hercule Poirot saga. Less predictable than the 2nd film but that’s a low bar.
The reveals were also downright ludicrous.
Thank god for the cinematography that at times kept it from being painfully chatty & mind-numbing. #AHauntingInVenice pic.twitter.com/1VuYFpwXXg— Rama's Screen (@RamasScreen) September 7, 2023
Kenneth Branagh has assembled another all-star cast for A Haunting in Venice, including Yellowstone star Kelly Reilly, Call My Agent’s Camille Cottin, Jamie Dornan, Michelle Yeoh, Tina Fey and Mayor of Kingstown’s Emma Laird, among others. The movie is the third Christie novel that Branagh has directed, following Murder on the Orient Express and Death on the Nile. Both movies had solid, if unspectacular reviews, but only Murder on the Orient Express was a box-office hit with $353 million and Death on the Nile struggled, grossing only $137 million.
A Haunting In Venice will release in theatres near you on 15th September 2023.
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