A Haunting in Venice (Mini-Review)

A Haunting in Venice is the sequel to Death on the Nile (2022). It is also the first ever adaptation of Hallowe'en Party by Agatha Christie. Hercule Poirot is retired in Venice, Italy after having his faith in everything shaken. The world and humanity are much too terrible for anyone to think there is a God out there. It is only when Ariadne Oliver drags him to a seance that he finds himself with another murder to solve. A Haunting in Venice was released in 2023. It was directed by Kenneth Branagh. It stars Kyle Allen, Kenneth Branagh, Camille Cottin, and Jamie Dornan.

There are no mid or post credits scenes. Though during part of the credits the scenery is shown but unless you want to look at Venice, you're not missing anything by leaving once the movie ends.

I'm glad that it's left to each viewer to decide whether or not there are any ghosts. There are logical explanations to each ghost that is seen. So there doesn't have to be actual ghosts for people to see dead spirits. Yet there is still enough doubt for there to be actual ghosts. This is a good choice to make as if people don't want ghosts in the movie there aren't any. But if you are dead set on there being actual ghosts, you'll have enough evidence to argue your points.

For some reason I thought Tina Fey felt out of place in this movie. It could be that I'm just so used to seeing her playing comedies that the more serious side feels odd. But that can't be the reason as other actors more known for comedies have been able to transition to more dramatic roles. So, I guess, Tina Fey just wasn't able to successfully make the transition. Every time she was onscreen, it just didn't feel like she truly belonged.

Murder on the Orient Express (2017) and Death on the Nile both had reasons why characters couldn't simply get away even if they wanted to. This movie had a storm that kept everyone inside which is extremely fitting. A fierce storm on Halloween just fits in with the horror genre. Because, yes, this is a horror movie.

A wrong theory I had was that the bird did it. I found the idea hilarious as everyone would be bending over backward to find a human killer when it was something more innocent all along. Sadly a bird doing bird things had to be dismissed as a murderer. Though I still held onto the silly theory for a lot longer than I should have.

I would highly recommend A Haunting in Venice to those looking for a spooky mystery. I would also recommend A Haunting in Venice to those who enjoyed Kenneth Branagh's other two Agatha Christie adaptations.