A Haunting in Venice

Hercule Poirot steps out of retirement not for a grand case, but to attend a Halloween séance in Venice. Kenneth Branagh directs this atmospheric mystery where the detective finds himself trapped in a decaying palazzo with a group of strangers claiming to speak with the dead. The film blends gothic horror elements with classic whodunit intrigue as a murder occurs during the ritual. Branagh returns as the titular Belgian detective, joined by a star-studded ensemble including Tina Fey as author Ariadne Oliver and Jamie Dornan as Dr Leslie Ferrier. Produced on a $60 million budget by Scott Free Productions and released in September 2023, the movie earned over $121 million globally. While it holds a modest 6.6 rating, the production delivers a moody experience that fits comfortably within the franchise's recent run of stylish adaptations.[edit]