In the last six years, there has been an unexpected revival of the murder mystery genre on the silver screen, with different directors presenting their take on the film genre. On one end of the spectrum, there is Rian Johnson’s comedic takes on the genre, such as the Daniel Craig-starring “Knives Out” films and the Natasha Lyonne-led television series “Poker Face.” On the other end of the spectrum, there is Kenneth Branagh, with his adaptations of famous Agatha Christie works such as “Murder on the Orient Express” and “Death on the Nile,” both featuring him in the role of Hercule Poirot. The latest addition to this series, “A Haunting in Venice,” adds a supernatural element to the genre.

“A Haunting in Venice” movie poster. (Contributed/comingsoon.net)

An adaptation of the Agatha Christie novel “Hallowe’en Party,” the film follows famed detective Hercule Poirot, who has retired to post-war Venice two years after the end of World War II — until he is invited to attend a Halloween party and séance by an old friend, with this séance being performed by Joyce Reynolds, a famed psychic medium.

Kenneth Branagh reprises the role of Hercule Poirot, embodying the famed detective, all the way down to nailing the Belgian accent. The sequences where he reveals the suspects are just enthralling to watch. 

Tina Fey gives an excellent dramatic performance as Ariadne Oliver, an American mystery novelist who is an old friend of Poirot. Her performance is quite charismatic, with some of my favorite scenes being with her and Poirot due to their chemistry. 

There are some other good performances amongst the cast, such as Kelly Reilly (best known for her portrayal of Beth Dutton on the series “Yellowstone”), who portrays Rowena Drake, the grieving mother of Alicia. In terms of the supporting cast in this ensemble, there is newcomer Emma Laird, who portrays Desdemona Holland, one of Reynolds’s assistants. Laird, best known to American audiences for her role in the successful series “Mayor of Kingstown,” makes her feature film debut in this film as a mysterious assistant.

Amongst the plethora of suspects at this party, one of the most fascinating characters is Leslie Ferrier (Jamie Dornan), a doctor who suffers from trauma due to the time that he served in World War II. Dornan’s performance as this character is fantastic. For instance, there is a haunting monologue that he gives to Poirot recounting the liberation of Bergen-Belsen, in which he unknowingly killed Holocaust survivors by providing the emaciated prisoners’ milk.

Branagh’s adaptation of the novel adds elements of supernatural horror to the traditional murder mystery, along with it being quite atmospheric, the film drenched in dread. 

The film’s sound design feels hallucinatory, emulating Poirot’s perspective, with the unnerving subtle sounds of children’s voices reminiscent of ghosts. The camerawork is also quite fitting, utilizing Dutch angles and overhead shots throughout the film.

“A Haunting in Venice” continues the theatrical revitalization of the murder mystery genre, this time with additional supernatural elements. With an ensemble cast of great performers and an unnerving atmosphere, it’s a fitting murder mystery to watch around All Hallows’ Eve.

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