A Haunting in Venice: Poirot’s paranormal pursuit? (cri-fi film: 1st trailer)
Oh, what a delightful treat we have in store! Get ready for the blockbuster film event of the year, folks: A Haunting in Venice. Because nothing screams “innovation” like yet another adaptation of an Agatha Christie novel. I mean, who doesn’t love a good old-fashioned séance murder?
Just when you thought Hercule Poirot was done with his sleuthing days, he’s back, in a thrilling story that probably doesn’t bear any resemblance to Murder on the Orient Express or Death on the Nile. Retirement, schmetirement! Who needs relaxation when you can solve a murder case for the umpteenth time? Besides, nothing says “exciting new direction” like a protagonist who’s supposedly retired.
In the distant year of 1969, the esteemed Dame Agatha Christie bequeathed upon us mortals a riveting tale of macabre mystery, a tome simply titled Hallowe’en Party (the film didn’t keep the original title, obvs). With the UK in the throes of anticipation for the impending switch to decimalisation, the novel was priced at a reasonable twenty-five shillings. In her suspenseful narrative, we find our beloved Belgian detective, Hercule Poirot, and the delightfully scatterbrained mystery novelist Ariadne Oliver, thrust into the midst of an eerie Hallowe’en soirée.
There, a young partygoer dares to suggest she’d once witnessed a crime most foul, a murder so chilling she was too naïve to understand its sinister nature. Alas, before one can say “Boo!”, the girl herself meets a ghastly end, and our intrepid Ariadne Oliver summons the legendary Poirot to untangle the twisted web of intrigue. This captivating chronicle of chilling confessions and spine-tingling sleuthing, penned by the indomitable Agatha Christie, bears a heartwarming dedication to none other than the inimitable P. G. Wodehouse. So, dear reader, as the shadows of Hallowe’en creep upon you, brace yourself for a thrilling literary journey riddled with whodunits, red herrings, and, of course, the legendary mustachioed prowess of Hercule Poirot.
Fast forward to today, and Kenneth Branagh reprises his role as Poirot, the greatest detective with the most fabulous mustache. Joining him is a star-studded cast featuring the likes of Tina Fey (comedy gold, for sure), Michelle Yeoh, and Jamie Dornan. With such an ensemble, how could this possibly go wrong?
The film was shot on location in Venice, because clearly, we haven’t seen enough of Venice in movies. Just imagine the breathtaking canals, the romantic gondolas, and the inevitable flooding that will surely serve as the backdrop for this “supernatural thriller.” I can hardly contain my excitement.
And let’s not forget the icing on the cake: Hildur Guðnadóttir replaces Patrick Doyle to compose the film’s score. Because nothing says “supernatural thriller” like a composer swap.
Mark your calendars for September 15th, 2023, my dear SFcrowsnest cri-fi fans, and get ready for a cinematic experience that will probably have you on the edge of your seat, gripping your popcorn, and possibly rolling your eyes. Because A Haunting in Venice promises to be an unforgettable adventure with Hercule Poirot – or, at the very least, a somewhat entertaining way to spend a couple of hours in a darkened theater.
