MOVIE REVIEW: A Haunting in Venice Earns Four Stars

Kenneth Branagh's latest Hercule Poirot film, A Haunting in Venice, is a haunted house movie but isn't that scary. It is a surprisingly enjoyable and suspenseful mystery. While it may not be the most original or groundbreaking film of the year, it's well-made, well-acted, beautifully shot and fun.

The film is set in the atmospheric city of Venice, where Poirot is invited to investigate a series of mysterious deaths at a séance. The cast is full of talented actors, including Branagh, recent Oscar winner Michelle Yeoh, Tina Fey, Jamie Dornan, and Kelly Reilly.

All of the actors give excellent performances, but Branagh is particularly good as Poirot. He brings his usual intelligence and gravitas to the role, but he also shows some vulnerability and humanity that we haven't seen in his previous Poirot films, Death on the Nile, and Murder on the Orient Express.

The film's mystery is well-crafted and suspenseful. I was able to figure it out just before it was revealed, but that didn't take away from my enjoyment of the film. I liked the way the film played with the supernatural, and I appreciated the fact that it didn't shy away from some darker themes.

I have never read a book by Agatha Christie although I obviously need to. I've read a book about her though. Tina Fey plays a mystery writer that is not Agatha Christie but kind of represents her in this story.

Overall, A Haunting in Venice is a solid and entertaining mystery film. If you're a fan of Agatha Christie or mysteries in general, I recommend checking it out.

A Haunting in Venice is current screening at the Regal 12 Cinema at Eagle Ridge Mall.

Overall rating: 4/5 stars