A Haunting in Venice

I actually enjoyed this more than I thought I would.
Being a huge fan of Agatha Christie, I agree the work of David Suchet is a real masterpiece - and therefore, hard to achieve again. But Kennet Branagh is probably the second-best Poirot I've seen.
As for the story, this should be marked as horror as well, even if only as the fourth-listed genre. You'll see why.

I'm not sure why the lower scores? no bimbo with no acting skills but boy fans in droves means many of them would be extremely disappointed.

on the other hand, if you're looking for a classic flashback, this is magnificent. the entire cast, directing, and settings were perfect. the cinematography reminiscent of Citizen Kane or other 1930s,40s, 50s movies that used camera angles to elicit the audience response.

I only give it a 9 because I feel like the clues weren't all shown like in a Christie book so you can figure it out before Poirot if you're paying attention. I may watch again to see if they were all there throughout. but a minor detail since I have a feeling if I do they will be there and I just missed them.

the best Branagh Poirot film yet

The most atmospheric and even witty Kenneth Branagh Poirot mystery. Where Branagh possibly does his best work in the role. As for the wit, that is due to an excellent Tina Fey.
There’s just a lot less of a Horror aspect as the trailers hinted. I just found some things predictable as well.
Spoiler Warning: Like, hallucinogenics coming into play. As well as knowing the killer was one of the less obvious people.
Such as it being either Ariadne (Tina Fey) Poirot’s old writer friend who brought him on the case. The mourning mother Rowena (Kelly Reilly of Yellowstone). Or Riccardo Scamarcio as Vitals, an ex cop who also is Poirot’s bodyguard.

Ok I had not expected a seagull go for a GROWN pigeon.
Beautiful cinematography right from the start. Wow. Would love to see this on a proper screen.

“I am satisfied”
“No, this is happiness, not satisfaction. A writer knows the difference.”

This is brilliant already.
I guess Ariadne is really Agatha. I should probably read more Christie.

That scary story was rather unsettling.

“That’s why I like ‘medium’, it’s somehow, middling” I love this film haha.

I did suspect the right person a bit before Poirot did, but did not have it all put together like him of course.

One question remains unanswered for Poirot – how to live his life.

My favorite movie in the series! The first one was so dumb that all of them took turns stabbing and didn't leave any evidence. And I didn't even bother with the second. This one was more believable imo. And the horror elements were a nice touch.

Unpopular opinion perhaps. I very much enjoy Branagh's Poirot films. They sort of harken back to films of yore in more ways than one.

I really did enjoy this one.

Not a particular fan of horror, but the jump scares and the haunting images did it for me.
Love a Poirot mystery and how it unfolds.
The whole time I was trying to figure it out, but the only thing I got was that he was poisoned. And it was related to the honey, but didn't go all the way to suspect the owner.
As the previous one, it kept me seated and paying attention to all details. Very good!

>❝All the criminals were someone's old friends❞..

Kenneth Branagh as Hercule Poirot has been imprinted in my mind after watching him giddying up with the whodunits in such an overwhelming manner and the old school screenplay always works for me in case of thriller movies.Of course,the credit mainly goes to Agatha Christie for such clever writing but the actors did their parts effortlessly as well.

More of a 7, but my wife loved it so I'm meeting in the middle. Ultimately I'm not a mystery aficionado like her, but even with my limited background it's easy to see this is the best between it, "Death on the Nile" and "Murder on the Orient Express".

Why is this the best one? Well I think "Death on the Nile" is flawed somewhere in execution that makes it boring and the conclusion falls flat so it's out for me by default. Murder on the Orient Express has a finale that doesn't really feel earned. So Haunting in Venice comes out on top almost by default.

This movie IS very mysterious and intriguing, and you never really know what curious character to point your finger at. The acting is great from everyone and it's got great pacing to match.

I think it does suffer with a finale that doesn't feel "earned". Maybe I'm too stupid but when they finally go through all the evidence it's a very lowercase "oh". Rather than an "OH" that might come as I remember the details that lead into the grand reveal. But the details here are all... So minor? You'd really have to scrutinize absolutely everything to figure it out. I'm not a world class detective... but I would have liked to think I was even if I was wrong. I dunno.

But again, it's good, and certainly the best of the 3 in the running series. Excellent set dressing, really great characters, and a wonderful ride (up till the end).