A Haunting in Venice (2023)
A Haunting in Venice
”Former detective Poirot investigates a murder at a seance in post-WWII Venice.”
Available at home
Subscription
Trailer
Why watch this film?
Partially based on Agatha Christie's novel "The Hallowe'en Party," "A Haunting in Venice" is the third film in the Hercule Poirot detective series directed and starring Kenneth Branagh (from "Belfast"), following "Murder on the Orient Express" and "Death on the Nile." The story places us in Venice, where a retired and reclusive Poirot decides, skeptically and reluctantly, to attend a seance. However, when one of the attendees is murdered, he must return to detective work not only to uncover the murderer's identity but also to determine if something supernatural is at play. Due to this premise, "A Haunting in Venice" incorporates elements of the horror genre, elevating it beyond the typical whodunit and making it not only notably better than its two predecessors but also a surprising choice for the Halloween season.
Filmelier
Our suggestions
Plot summary
In post-World War II Venice, Poirot, now retired and living in his own exile, reluctantly attends a seance. But when one of the guests is murdered, it is up to the former detective to once again uncover the killer.
To share
Do you want to watch something different?
Watch full movies now!
Press play and be surprised!
Where to watch?
Available at home
From the same director
Mary Shelley's Frankenstein
Despite some modifications, this is the most faithful adaptation of the book 'Frankenstein; or The Modern Prometheus', by the writer Mary Shelley. Thus, the feature film interestingly addresses the evolution of science while man challenges the natural order of life - which is one of the central themes of the British writer's work. In the vision of filmmaker Kenneth Branagh, this story gains existentialist drama airs, without betting on a clearer terror, something that can attract some people and away from others. Visually stunning and with a great cast (including names like Robert de Niro, Tom Hulce, Helena Bonham Carter and Branagh himself), the film was nominated for the Oscar for Best Makeup.
Murder On the Orient Express
"Murder on the Orient Express" is a stylish production that keeps viewers engaged with its all-star ensemble. Directed by Kenneth Branagh, the movie follows the celebrated detective Hercule Poirot as he investigates a murder on a train. While it may not quite live up to its classic predecessor, the film's lavish setting and talented cast make it a worthwhile watch. The story is well-paced and the characters are intriguing, with each passenger on the train holding their own secrets and motives. Overall, "Murder on the Orient Express" is a thrilling mystery that is sure to keep audiences on the edge of their seats.
Much Ado About Nothing
A great adaptation of William Shakespeare's classic with an all-star cast featuring actors such as Emma Thompson, Richard Briers, Keanu Reeves, Kate Beckinsale, Denzel Washington, and Michael Keaton. Despite being from another era, the British playwright's text remains beautiful and entertaining while Kenneth Branagh's-led adaptation successfully brought to the screen all that exuberance.
All Is True
Oscar-winning Kenneth Branagh has a personal (or, rather, passionate) relationship with William Shakespeare. At 28, he adapted, directed and starred in 'Henry V' - today, he adds no less than six cinematic adaptations of works by the master of British drama. That said, 'All Is True' stands out for two reasons: it is the first Shakespeare-related film Branagh has made in over ten years and it is the first time he plays the author himself. The drama offers first-rate performances from Branagh and Judi Dench, exquisite cinematography and a script that provides good information about the writer. However, it fails to sentimentalize the motivations behind the characters' actions. Still, it is a beautiful portrait of one of the most important fans and scholars of Shakespeare's work, which deserves to be appreciated.
Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit
Jack Ryan: Shadow RecruitJack Ryan is a well-known name in spy movies, having been portrayed by Alec Baldwin, Harrison Ford, Ben Affleck, and in 'Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit', Chris Pine brings the spy to life. The character, created by author Tom Clancy, is so famous that it even got its own Amazon Prime Video series in 2017. On TV, Ryan is played by John Krasinski (Jim from 'The Office'). As we already gave away, 'Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit' is a spy movie directed by Kenneth Branagh - who also plays the villain of the story - starring Chris Pine and Keira Knightley. Get ready for great action scenes, a smart and well-thought-out plot, and lots of adrenaline.
Cinderella
It is challenging to translate classic films into new versions, visions, looks, adaptations. Kenneth Branagh ('Murder on the Orient Express'), however, accepted the challenge of bringing to the screen a flesh and blood version of 'Cinderella', a classic fairy tale that was given a memorable adaptation by Disney itself. Here, to compensate for the lack of magic of an animated cartoon, Branagh compensated with grandiosity. The cast is superb (Cate Blanchett, Lily James, Helena Bonham Carter and Stellan Skarsgård are the highlights) and the visual of the film is breathtaking, with special emphasis on the costume. Obviously, it can't be said that it is better than the 1950s animation. But still, it is exciting and moving.
Death on the Nile
There's something very simple to say about 'Death on the Nile': if you liked 'Murder on the Orient Express', then this second Kenneth Branagh production will surely please you too. After all, it's a movie without big thrills or surprises, mainly a suspense based on genre traditions and focused only on entertaining. And it works. After all, Agatha Christie knew how to tell good mystery stories and Branagh, a classic director, brings all the charm, elegance and classic tones of the book to the cinema screen. It's hard not to pay attention to the sumptuous details in the landscapes of the Nile and Egypt, where a wedding ends badly - with relatives, friends and an ex as suspects. Even though the movie has aged badly even before its release, due to the accusations against Armie Hammer and Letitia Wright's anti-vaccine stance, 'Death on the Nile' can still be seen as a light and uncommitted entertainment, just like the Queen of Crime's books. It won't change your life, nor will it be a memorable movie. But isn't it worth it, from time to time, to just enjoy a good mystery plot?
Artemis Fowl
Directed by Kenneth Branagh ('Thor') and based on the 2001 best-selling novel of the same name, 'Artemis Fowl' is the long-awaited cinematic adaptation fans have been waiting for nearly two decades, now famous for its creative freedom with the original material. With the help of visual effects and top-notch talents like Colin Farrell ('Fantastic Beasts'), Judi Dench ('Victoria & Abdul') and Josh Gad ('Beauty and the Beast'), the result looks like a mix of 'Harry Potter' and 'Men in Black', but devoid of the charisma or originality of both. It's worth it as innocent fun for kids, but it will hardly be appreciated by fans of the original book.
Belfast
In a filmography that includes big-budget fantasies ('Thor'), Shakespeare adaptations ('Hamlet') and literary classics ('Mary Shelley's Frankenstein'), 'Belfast' is director Kenneth Branagh's most personal work, inspired by his childhood memories of the Irish city where he was born and spent his early years. The story puts us with little Buddy (Jude Hill), a boy who lives happily with his family until the conflict in Northern Ireland in the 1960s breaks the peace in his neighborhood. So his parents start to consider the possibility of leaving the only home the family has ever lived in. 'Belfast's narrative is framed in Buddy's childish perspective, so there is an air of playfulness and innocence throughout the plot. The other side of the coin is that the issues around the conflict are not portrayed as deeply as they could be, and are poorly described in the script. In other words, don't expect a complex drama illustrating the political and social problems of Ireland at the time. On the contrary, 'Belfast' is a typical bittersweet "feel good movie" with good performances and an upbeat soundtrack.
Thor
Adaptation of the classic Marvel Comics character, created by the legendary duo Stan Lee and Jack Kirby. The direction is in the hands of Kenneth Branagh, famous for films such as 'Hamlet' and 'Mary Shelley's Frankenstein'. The filmmaker brings this more poetic vision to the hero, paired with humor, which goes hand in hand with the character (although it creates a certain distance from the audience - something that does not happen, for example, in 'Iron Man'). Chris Hemsworth is impeccable in the title role, showing himself as another successful casting by Marvel Studios. Special mention should also be made of Tom Hiddleston's great performance as villain Loki and the special effects, which turn the mythical Asgard into reality - just as imagined by Lee and Kirby, with technology (albeit not fully understood by us, viewers) taking a little place of the mystical.
Mystery
Missing
When her mother disappears while on vacation in Colombia with her new boyfriend, June’s search for answers is hindered by international red tape. Stuck thousands of miles away in Los Angeles, June creatively uses all the latest technology at her fingertips to try and find her before it’s too late. But as she digs deeper, her digital sleuthing raises more questions than answers… and when June unravels secrets about her mom, she discovers that she never really knew her at all.
From the Ashes
At a strict girls school, a mysterious fire blazes out of control, Now everyone’s questioning whether it was an accident or arson.
The Abandoned
When a mysterious corpse is found in a river, a distressed police officer delves into a string of grisly murders as danger quickly approaches.
A Deadly Invitation
Eccentric millionaire Olivia sends her half sister Agatha, and a group of old acquaintances, a mysterious invitation for a weekend on her yacht, where they will discover the true motive behind this invitation: the celebration of... a murder? Caught off-guard by an unexpected death, and with the help of a rookie policeman, Agatha will try to figure out if this is merely an accident or an elaborate plan for revenge.
