THE BIG PICTURE
Kenneth Branagh reprises his role as the iconic Hercule Poirot in ‘A Haunting in Venice,’ where retirement plans take an unexpected twist as an old friend lures him into investigating a famous medium’s séance.
The film has conjured up $37.2 million globally, with stronger ticket sales in North America compared to its predecessor but falling short of the series’ debut installment.
Loosely inspired by Agatha Christie’s “Halloween Party,” ‘A Haunting in Venice’ weaves familiar themes and characters into a refreshed storyline, receiving notably improved critical acclaim compared to Branagh’s prior Poirot endeavors.
In ‘A Haunting in Venice,’ Kenneth Branagh embarks on his third adventure as Hercule Poirot, the legendary European detective conceived by Agatha Christie. This time, Poirot seeks a tranquil retirement in the enchanting canals of Italy. However, his idyllic solitude is shattered when his old friend Ariadne Oliver, portrayed by the talented Tina Fey, approaches him with an intriguing invitation to debunk a celebrated medium’s séance happening nearby.
The film manifested $14.5 million in domestic box office earnings and conjured an additional $22.7 million in international territories, amassing a total of $37.2 million worldwide. In North America, ticket sales surpassed its immediate forerunner, 2022’s ‘Death on the Nile’ ($12.8 million), yet trailed significantly behind the series debut, 2017’s ‘Murder on the Orient Express’ ($28.6 million). The star-studded cast includes Branagh, Fey, Michelle Yeoh, Kelly Reilly, Jamie Dornan, and more.
Word of mouth and critical reception for the film significantly improved compared to Branagh’s earlier Poirot installments. Sporting a 79% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, it outshines ‘Death on the Nile’ at 61% and ‘Murder on the Orient Express’ at 60%. The film’s target demographic may not rush to theaters on opening weekends, but it’s expected to enjoy more consistent overseas performance. With a reasonable budget of $60 million, ‘A Haunting in Venice’ should comfortably secure a decent return on investment.
What’s ‘A Haunting in Venice’ Based On?
‘A Haunting in Venice’ draws loose inspiration from one of Christie’s lesser-known novels, ‘Halloween Party,’ first published in 1969. In the book, Poirot is summoned to investigate a murder that transpires during a Halloween party in the fictitious English village of Woodleigh Common. The narrative revolves around a young girl named Joyce Reynolds, who boldly claims to have witnessed a murder in her childhood at the same party. Regrettably, no one takes her seriously, dismissing it as a Halloween prank. Tragically, Joyce is later discovered dead, having drowned in an apple-bobbing tub during the same party. It becomes increasingly apparent that her earlier claim about witnessing a murder might have held truth, and her demise could be tied to that enigmatic past event.
‘A Haunting in Venice’ incorporates several thematic elements from the source material, including character names—the medium in Branagh’s film, Joyce Reynolds—and a captivating spin on the apple-bobbing scene.
‘A Haunting in Venice’ is currently haunting theaters, and we’ll keep you enchanted with box office updates on FilmSweep.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Haunting in Venice Box Office
Q: What is the premise of ‘A Haunting in Venice’?
A: ‘A Haunting in Venice’ sees Kenneth Branagh reprising his role as the famous detective Hercule Poirot. In this installment, Poirot attempts to enjoy retirement in the picturesque city of Venice, but his tranquility is disrupted when his old friend Ariadne Oliver, played by Tina Fey, invites him to debunk a renowned medium’s séance.
Q: How well did ‘A Haunting in Venice’ perform at the global box office?
A: The film grossed $37.2 million globally. While it performed better in North America compared to its immediate predecessor, ‘Death on the Nile,’ it fell short of the box office success of the series’ first installment, ‘Murder on the Orient Express.’
Q: Is ‘A Haunting in Venice’ based on an Agatha Christie novel?
A: Yes, ‘A Haunting in Venice’ is loosely based on Agatha Christie’s novel “Halloween Party.” While it incorporates similar themes and characters, the film offers a refreshed storyline that has received improved critical reception compared to Kenneth Branagh’s previous Poirot films.
Q: How does the film compare to Kenneth Branagh’s previous Poirot movies in terms of critical reception?
A: ‘A Haunting in Venice’ has garnered better critical acclaim compared to Branagh’s earlier Poirot films. It boasts a 79% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, surpassing ‘Death on the Nile’ and ‘Murder on the Orient Express.’
Q: What can viewers expect from ‘A Haunting in Venice’ in terms of its source material, ‘Halloween Party’?
A: ‘A Haunting in Venice’ draws loose inspiration from Agatha Christie’s novel “Halloween Party.” While it borrows themes and character names from the book, it offers a fresh take on the narrative, with notable differences in the portrayal of certain key scenes.
Q: What is the budget of ‘A Haunting in Venice,’ and is it expected to be profitable?
A: The film was budgeted at a moderate $60 million, which suggests that it is likely to generate a decent return on investment. This reasonable budget should help ensure the movie’s financial success.
More about Haunting in Venice Box Office
- A Haunting in Venice – IMDb
- Kenneth Branagh – IMDb
- Agatha Christie – Official Website
- Rotten Tomatoes – A Haunting in Venice
- Halloween Party (Agatha Christie novel) – Wikipedia
- Murder on the Orient Express (2017) – IMDb
- Death on the Nile (2022) – IMDb
3 comments
Agatha Christie’s books are amazin’. So excited to see another adaptation of her work.
hey, did u know this film did bettr in north america than the last one but not as gud as the first? haha, but 37.2 mill’s not bad, right?
wowza! this sounds like a cool movie. Kenneth branagh rocks as Poirot. i can’t wait to see it!