The story itself weaves a captivating narrative of the supernatural, filled with twists and turns that keep most audiences guessing until the end. Of course, avid murder mystery audiences will quickly figure out who the killer is. However, it still doesn’t take away from the movie. Also, the characters are well-developed, and the talented ensemble delivers performances that convey fear and determination while trying to convince the audience that they aren’t the killer.

A Haunting in Venice succeeds in creating a cinematic experience that goes beyond mere scares. Not only is it the best Branagh adaptation, but it’s a visual and auditory spectacle that immerses viewers in the spooky world he put together. This film is a must-watch for fans of Agatha Christie and those seeking a thrilling ride through the mysterious streets of Venice. Brace yourself for an unforgettable journey into Venice, where every corner hides a secret.

Movie Review: /5 atoms

Video

A Haunting in Venice hits Blu-ray with a 1080p MPEG-4 AVC HD presentation in a 1.85:1 aspect ratio. The Blu-ray release of A Haunting in Venice boasts impressive contrast levels, enhancing the film’s visual impact. The brightness levels in this Blu-ray release are vibrant, ensuring details are easily discernible even in darker or low-light settings. At the same time, A Haunting in Venice maintains solid black levels, enhancing the depth of shadows and contributing to the overall eerie atmosphere.

Whether a haunted house’s deep, chilling tones or the vibrant hues of supernatural elements, the colors are accurate and emotionally resonant. The Blu-ray release also enhances detail clarity, allowing viewers to appreciate the intricacies of the beautiful production design. So, the refined textures, subtle details in costumes, and the haunted surroundings are all rendered precisely. The film grain in A Haunting in Venice maintains a balanced approach, which, in turn, preserves the intended aesthetic without compromising overall image quality.

Video Review: 5/5 atoms

Audio

A Haunting in Venice hits Blu-ray with a 7.1 DTS-HD Master Audio presentation. The Blu-ray release of A Haunting in Venice emphasizes accurate object placement, allowing viewers to locate sounds precisely within the three-dimensional soundstage. Sound effects like subtle or sudden shifts in audio heighten tension and contribute to the overall eeriness. From the distant echoes in a haunted palazzo to the ethereal sounds, the mix’s atmospherics excels in delivering the ambient sounds. Not to mention, Hildur Guðnadóttir’s musical score engages in the front and surround channels and complements and enhances the film’s horror elements. 

Also, the balance between ambient sounds and dialogue is carefully maintained, allowing viewers to hear the dialogue clearly without missing important details, even amid atmospheric or intense scenes. The subwoofer channel is utilized effectively to deliver impactful low-frequency effects. Whether it’s the ominous thuds in a palazzo or the deep resonance of supernatural occurrences, the subwoofer enhances the overall depth and intensity of the audio experience.

Audio Review: 5/5 atoms

Special Features

A Haunting in Venice hits Blu-ray with the following bonus features on the disc:

• Murder, Death, and Haunting
• Deleted Scenes
  • Morning Routine
  • 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
  • Journey Home

Features Assessment

Murder, Death, and Haunting, thankfully, isn’t merely an EPK-style featurette. It’s a comprehensive making-of documentary that takes viewers through Branagh’s filmography of Christie adaptations and the various stages of Venice‘s production. Through interviews with cast and crew and footage from the set, this featurette provides informative insights into the filmmaking process and the challenges of bringing “Hallowe’en Party” to the screen. Unfortunately, it’s all downhill from here. The rest of the bonus features showcase many deleted and extended scenes. They’re decent, but it’s a shame that a featurette and deleted scenes are all we get in this release.

Special Features Review: 1.5/5 atoms

Overall, A Haunting in Venice beautifully captures the eerie beauty of Venice and transforms it into a backdrop for a supernatural murder mystery. The video and audio presentations are spectacular, but the special features are lacking.

Overall Review: 4/5 atoms

A Haunting in Venice is now available in stores on Blu-ray.

This Blu-ray was provided by 20th Century Studios Home Entertainment for review purposes.

The post A Haunting in Venice – Blu-ray Review appeared first on Nerd Reactor.

The film follows the retired detective, Hercule Poirot, whose latest case takes him to his absolute limits. Set on Hallows’ Eve, Hercule Poirot (Branagh) resides in Venice, enjoying a simple, quiet life. However, his retirement is cut short by the arrival of his friend Ariadne Oliver (Tina Fey). This acclaimed mystery novelist invites him to a seance. She hopes to have him deduce if the medium running it, Joyce (Michelle Yeoh), is a scam artist. Intrigued, Poirot accepts her offer, learning that a woman named Alicia died a year ago under mysterious circumstances in the Palazzo where the event is taking place. Poirot quickly exposes Joyce’s tricks to create the belief that she is communicating with the dead. Still, one of the guests dies, prompting the detective to investigate who the killer is once again.

Branagh has always used a light touch in adapting Agatha Christie’s books into films. He respects the source material, relying on the book’s theatrically larger-than-life characters and juicy twists. A Haunting In Venice continues the series’ pursuit of murder-mystery storytelling that never takes itself too seriously while dishing out the essential thrills and suspense. 

A Haunting in Venice succeeds as an engaging and visually enticing gothic murder mystery. 

Thankfully, Branagh does away with the awful CGI of his earlier Poirot tales and mostly goes for practical settings. John Paul Kelly’s production design and Sammy Sheldon’s costumes are excellent and set the gothic tone for the entire film. There are fewer A-listers in the cast this time, as it tries to focus more on the performances than seeing a giant all-star cast underutilized as they fight for screen time with each other. Here, each character delivers a long, intense monologue, showcasing their acting prowess to audiences. It’s as if Branagh wanted to create a film that harkens back to his theatre days in England.

While everyone shines in their respective roles, it’s director/actor Kenneth Branagh who shines brightest in Venice. Branagh delivers a performance that is less hammy than in the previous chapters. He has simultaneously grown more assured as Hercule Poirot, who has shed some of his cockiness as he ages. However, his mind remains as sharp as ever. Equally devilish are Michelle Yeoh and Jude Hill. Yeoh and Hill’s performances are as unsettling as they are captivating.

Overall, A Haunting in Venice is easily the best of Branagh’s Poirot adaptations. From its gothic 40s Venetian setting to its eerie supernatural tone, it’s creepy and fun to watch. It’s a film that makes this a welcome entry to the 2023 Halloween season for horror and non-horror fans alike.

Rating: 3.5/5 atoms

A Haunting in Venice hits theaters on September 15th.

The post A Haunting in Venice – Third Time’s a Charm appeared first on Nerd Reactor.