Creepy Canals and Deadly Secrets: The Thrills of “A Haunting in Venice”

Last Updated on April 22, 2026

Get yourself some big-name actors, a stunning location, and a meticulous Belgian detective, and you’re all set for a thrilling murder mystery.

Kenneth Branagh returns for the third time as the iconic Hercule Poirot in A Haunting in Venice, bringing a chilling atmosphere to the screen.

This time, the story unfolds in a grand, old house on a Venetian canal, a place teeming with secrets far darker than its crumbling walls suggest.

Gondolas and Ghosts – The Plot

In this film, Poirot (played by Branagh) is no longer the eager detective we’ve seen before. Now retired in Venice, he has grown disillusioned with the world and withdrawn from solving cases.

However, when his friend, crime novelist Ariadne (played by Tina Fey), invites him to attend a séance conducted by a convincing medium, Joyce Reynolds (played by Michelle Yeoh), Poirot can’t resist the challenge.

Despite his skepticism, he agrees to join, intending to debunk the supposed supernatural phenomena.

The movie is loosely based on Agatha Christie’s novel Hallowe’en Party, but Branagh takes creative liberties, leaning more into the horror genre.

The film certainly lives up to its eerie title, with ghosts of past tragedies lurking in the shadows. The atmosphere is heavy with suspense, and the film takes its time to explore this darkness before easing back into the light.

The plot centers around a house owned by Rowena Drake (portrayed by Kelly Reilly, who masterfully embodies a woman perpetually on the edge of tears).

She believes that the spirits of long-dead orphans haunt the house, seeking revenge on those associated with the staff who once abandoned them.

The story becomes even more unsettling when we learn that Rowena’s daughter, Alicia, was driven to madness before tragically taking her own life.

The séance is arranged to contact Alicia, but things take a darker turn when Joyce’s connection to the afterlife suggests murder, not suicide.

This revelation leads to a sudden death and locks a group of suspects inside the haunted house.

It’s time for Poirot to investigate…

Should You Bother Watching it?

If you’re a fan of cozy crime stories, Agatha Christie, or mystery films with a twist, A Haunting in Venice is worth your time if you don’t mind that it bears absolutely no resemblance to the book it is based on.

And I mean NOTHING. Not the setting, not the story, not the characters. In fact, I’m genuinely at a loss as to how anybody can justify that the two are related in any way, shape or form.

But, if you can get past that and forget all about the mauling that Hallowe’en Party got in Branagh’s version, then it’s not an entirely terrible film.

Kenneth Branagh seems to have learned that these films work best when Poirot himself undergoes some personal growth, and this is evident throughout the movie.

Poirot is more relatable than ever in this instalment, with his vulnerabilities and disillusionment with humanity on full display.

In terms of setting, tone, and character development, A Haunting in Venice stands out as an improvement over Branagh’s previous Poirot films.

The central mystery, however, might not be as surprising as some viewers would hope. For seasoned mystery fans, the plot may feel predictable, with few twists to catch them off guard.

Despite this, the investigation itself is where the film truly shines, bringing plenty of visual and emotional enjoyment.

The film’s set design and costumes are nothing short of stunning. The grand yet decaying Venetian palazzo is almost a character in its own right, reflecting the shattered lives of the people within its walls.

However, the film’s style is somewhat marred by its unusual camera work. For the first 20 minutes, the camera angles are either very low or very high, which can be jarring and distracting.

Despite these minor issues, A Haunting in Venice is not Branagh’s worst Poirot film so far, and if you want a bit of darker, cosy crime, then it ticks plenty of boxes.

Watching The Movie

If my analysis above hasn’t completely put you off watching the film, it is available to stream on Disney+ in most countries.

Incidentally, that’s also where you can watch Death on the Nile and Murder on the Orient Express – Kenneth Branagh’s two other Hercule Poirot movies.