A Haunting In Venice perfectly combines mystery and horror in the latest Hercule Poirot story, while never letting one overshadow the other.
A Haunting In Venice, the third Hercule Poirot film, raises the bar by weaving in horror elements that perfectly combine with the mystery elements to create something new and exciting. While the two genres are intertwined throughout the entire movie, neither one overshadows the other, which is why it works so well. There are jump scares and terrifying moments, but at its core, A Haunting In Venice is still a solid murder mystery, with unexpected reveals sprinkled throughout.
Note: This piece was written during the 2023 WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes. A Haunting In Venice would not exist without the labor of the writers and actors in both unions.
This movie starts off revealing that Hercule (Kenneth Branagh) is retired, and the world is missing him and his incredible detective skills. His longtime friend and author, Ariadne Oliver (Tina Fey), decides to try to get him out of his funk by inviting him to a séance. She is starting to believe that the world beyond is real, and would like Hercule to help her reveal the tricks that are being pulled on her by medium Ms. Reynolds (Michelle Yeoh).
Tina Fey is a very welcome addition to the cast. Her role, which she does so well, is to provide the comedic relief. A Haunting In Venice leans into the horror tropes that we all know so well, and is a bit of a dry mystery as the previous two films are, so Tina breaks things up with funny one liners and quick wit.
For those viewers who have seen Only Murders In The Building, this character of hers, Ariadne Oliver, is similar to that of podcaster Cinda Canning. Ariadne is an author and gives off very similar vibes of a no nonsense business woman. She keeps things fun and interesting throughout the movie, and gels well with the rest of the characters.
Speaking of the incredible cast, Michelle Yeoh once again proves why she is so beloved. She is absolutely phenomenal in A Haunting In Venice – both terrifying and mysterious at the same time. Probably the biggest issue with this movie is that there is not enough of her.
With a large ensemble cast, it is easy for some to fall to the background, and that is exactly what happens part way through the film. This is understandable, as everyone shines, but her performance in the séance scene will send shivers down your spine.
When it comes to the horror elements of this movie, they very much follow common horror tropes. From jump scares to a suspenseful score that puts you on edge, A Haunting In Venice has it all. It even has singing children, which is always a bit spooky. Jude Hill plays Leopold Ferrier, and he just might be the creepiest of the entire cast.
Kids in a horror movie almost always set viewers on edge and his role is no different. In fact, the very first time we see him he is reading Edgar Allan Poe, which Hercule himself points out isn’t exactly written for children.
The way this movie is shot, and the atmosphere of it all, is really where the scary parts shine. Being that it mostly takes place in one setting, a seemingly haunted house, the audience feels claustrophobic whenever the characters do. We feel like we are trapped until the mystery is solved as well, which helps put us on edge. Another reason why this film works as well as it does.
When it comes to the mystery itself, Hercule is very much the man he has been in the previous two films. He is smart, observant, and very good at his job. However, considering that he has decided to retire at the start of the movie, he isn’t at his best. This is evident during the first two acts, until he really looks inside himself and decides to commit to solving the mystery. At that moment, during his monologue, it is truly good to have him back.
If you feel that these films are a little too on the dry side, and don’t deliver as much humor as you would hope, A Haunting In Venice will not change your mind. While the horror vibes certainly make this one stand out from the previous two, adding something unique and fun to the plot, it doesn’t change Hercule — which it shouldn’t. If you love a good murder mystery, and a jump scare now and again, then A Haunting In Venice is sure to be right up your alley.
While it is a little on the predictable side, the events will continue to keep you guessing. The plot includes a few twists and surprises as well, just to keep you on your toes. See if you can figure it all out before Hercule Poirot does when A Haunting In Venice hits theaters on September 15th.
Rating: 3.5 out of 5
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About A Haunting In Venice
“A Haunting in Venice” is set in eerie, post-World War II Venice on All Hallows’ Eve, “A Haunting in Venice” is a terrifying mystery featuring the return of the celebrated sleuth, Hercule Poirot. Now retired and living in self-imposed exile in the world’s most glamorous city, 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.
A Haunting In Venice comes to theaters everywhere September 15th.
