Jeri Jacquin

On Bluray, Digital and Hulu from director Kenneth Branagh and 20th Century Home Entertainment is the next mystery to be solved with A HAUNTING IN VENICE.

Hercule Poirot (Kenneth Branagh) has been living quietly in retirement in the city of Venice along with bodyguard Vitale Portfoglio (Riccardo Scamarcio). On what he thinks is a Halloween outing with writer Ariadne Oliver (Tina Fey), they end up at a séance in the home of Rowena Drake (Kelly Reilly) the famous opera singer. What ends up happening is that Poirot can not stop himself from exposing medium Joyce Reynolds (Michelle Yeoh).

Actually, the house itself is supposedly haunted by children who suffered under its roof. Reynolds picks up on it but no one is happy except Rowena who wants to communicate with her daughter Alicia in the afterlife. Also, there is Maxime Gerard (Kyle Allen) who broke her heart. Also attending is housekeeper Olga (Camille Cottin), family physician Dr. Ferrier (Jamie Dornan) and his young son Leopold (Jude Hill) and Desdemona Holland (Emma Laird). 

Before there is communication, Poirot begins to tear the séance apart and while some are upset, Reynolds doesn’t seem bothered by it at all. What happens next is Alicia’s voice accusing someone in the room of murder! But, as with Poirot, murder in the house begins to set him on the trail of what it happening in the house – and to him hearing strange voices.

Nothing will stop Poirot from chasing down the murderer as one by one he questions everyone in the room. Clue after clue puts him out of retirement and back in the game.

Branagh as Poirot gets the grand opportunity to give life to one of Agatha Christie’s most memorable detectives. I enjoy watching him jump from clue to clue (be careful of the accent slip Mr. Branagh) and the response from his fellow characters. I am a total fan of period pieces so it is fun to watch the set and cinematography also play a part in the film at his direction.

Fey as Oliver wants to get Poirot out of the house and back into life. Taking him to the séance was suppose to be a success but instead, she got the detective she remembers so well. Fey is charming and equally as witty as Poirot. Reilly as Drake portrays a mother who wants nothing more than to speak with her departed daughter. What is so great about her in this role is I don’t see the viciousness of Beth from the series ‘Yellowstone’ but instead a stealthy character with her own secrets.

Yeoh as Joyce does not have a big role but it is one that sets the stage for everything that comes after. Yeoh is so good at this so its easy to see why she was chosen to be part of the séance and the conversation with Poirot. Allen as Gerard has a history with the family and he wants to make sure he gets answers as well. Cottin as Olga knows the ins and outs of the house and is loyal – almost to a fault.

Dornan as Dr. Ferrier is trying to keep things together but raising a young son on his own is difficult. Keeping his job with at the Drake home is important but can be deadly as well. Hill as Leopold is a very, very smart little boy who is not scared by much and he clearly loves his father. Hill is an impressive young actor and I do so hope he is recognized for this role and goes on to do much more.

Other cast include Ali Khan as Nicholas Holland and Emir El-Masry as Alessandro Longo.

Twentieth Century Home Entertainment brings award-winning global product and new entertainment to DVD, Bluray, and Digital HD. There amazing collection offers fans an opportunity to expand their own home libraries with the best films. To discover what other titles they have please visit www.20thcenturystudios.com.

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Bonus Features include Murder, Death and Haunting: Discover The secrets behind the scenes of A HAUNTING IN VENICE. Join Kenneth Branagh and his team as they bring Agatha Christie’s classic Poirot novel ‘Hallowe’en Party’ to life with elaborate ensemble scenes and extravagant sets. Deleted Scenes include Morning Route, The Doge’s Palace, Halloween Party Extended, Desdemona’s Warning, Children’s Story, Poirot Needs Air, Guarding the Gates, Secret Doorway Extended, Ferrier’s Shouts, Poirot Pauses for Thought and Journey Home.

A HAUNTING IN VENICE comes out around the spooky season and gives enough frights and twists of its own. It is a fun film to watch if you love a good murder mystery surrounded by musty colors and finery. The sets and cinematography are one of my favorites about the film. The noir-feel with handle bar mustaches and smart suits along with the fashionable women looking lovely as every is very cool.

Pop the popcorn, turn out the lights and go on a murder mystery with one of the finest retired detectives ever.

In the end – death is just the beginning!

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