The Thrills and Chills
“A Haunting in Venice” has materialized as a significant box office triumph, amassing an eerie $71 million worldwide within a mere two weekends – $25 million from its domestic haunt and a spine-tingling $46 million from international theaters. But what sets this cinematic séance apart is its curious disparity in ticket sales between the U.S. and abroad: a 56% drop stateside compared to a mere 35% overseas, hinting at a more robust performance in far-flung corners of the globe.
This chilling addition to Agatha Christie adaptations ventures into darker, horror-laden territory, veering away from the traditional mysteries of the past, all while featuring the legendary Kenneth Branagh among a star-studded ensemble cast.
A Haunting Phenomenon
Enter 20th Century Studios’ “A Haunting in Venice,” the third installment in the Agatha Christie book-to-screen saga. Audiences have undoubtedly embraced this supernatural spectacle, pushing its worldwide box office tally to a spine-tingling $71 million in just two weekends of its theatrical séance. A closer look reveals $25 million of that sum swirled into the domestic cauldron, while the remaining $46 million slithered in from international territories.
On the domestic front, the film slipped into third place amidst competition from “The Nun II” and “The Expend4bles.” Nonetheless, it conjured an additional $6.3 million in the United States, even though this marked a 56% drop from the previous week. However, the story takes an intriguing twist when we venture across borders. Internationally, “A Haunting in Venice” harvested a handsome $14.7 million and witnessed only a 35% dip in week-to-week performance. This supernatural phenomenon indicates a promising future for the film overseas and surpasses the second installment, “Death on the Nile,” which plummeted 37% internationally in its second weekend. Yet, it’s worth noting that both “Death on the Nile” and the series debut, “Murder on the Orient Express,” racked up worldwide totals of $137 million and $352 million, respectively, so there’s still a specter of a journey ahead.
Venice Beckons
Venice, unsurprisingly, remains the most bewitching international market for “A Haunting in Venice.” It’s fitting given that the film’s eerie events unfold in the canals of this historic city, with some scenes shot on location amidst its haunting beauty. Beyond Venice’s embrace, the film continues to captivate audiences in Spain, the United Kingdom, Hungary, Ukraine, Hong Kong, and New Zealand. Moreover, it clings tenaciously to its audience, with strong holdover percentages in Italy, Germany, Australia, France, the U.K., Spain, China, and Japan. Notably, in Italy and Germany, it suffered a mere 3% and 4% decline, respectively, from week to week. Clearly, the allure of Venice knows no bounds.
A Genre Departure
What might be luring moviegoers to this supernatural spectacle is the remarkable shift in tone and style. Unlike its predecessors, which adhered to the classic Christie mystery mold, “A Haunting in Venice” takes a sinister, horror-infused path. Led by Kenneth Branagh reprising his role as the inimitable Detective Hercule Poirot, the film draws inspiration from Christie’s 1969 novel, “Hallowe’en Party.” Here, Poirot emerges from retirement and ventures to Venice to investigate a murder shrouded in the eerie ambiance of a Halloween night séance. Adding to the allure is an ensemble cast featuring Kyle Allen, Jamie Dornan, Tina Fey, Michelle Yeoh, Emma Laird, Kelly Reilly, Camille Cottin, and Jude Hill – a star-studded lineup that surely casts a spell of curiosity over audiences.
In line with previous franchise entries, Branagh assumes the dual role of director and protagonist. The screenplay, a work of literary necromancy, is penned by Michael Green. The film’s production is a collaborative cauldron, brewed by Branagh, Ridley Scott, Simon Kinberg for his Kinberg Genre banner, Judy Hofflund, TSG Entertainment, and Agatha Christie Limited. Serving as spectral overseers are executive producers James Prichard, Louise Killin, and Mark Gordon for The Mark Gordon Company.
A Haunting in Venice is currently haunting theaters, beckoning those brave enough to step into its eerie world.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Supernatural Thriller
Q: How much has “A Haunting in Venice” earned at the global box office?
A: “A Haunting in Venice” has grossed an impressive $71 million worldwide within just two weekends in theaters.
Q: How does the film’s performance differ between the domestic and international markets?
A: While the film experienced a 56% drop in ticket sales in the U.S. week-to-week, it saw only a 35% drop internationally, indicating stronger performance overseas.
Q: Which countries have shown the most interest in “A Haunting in Venice”?
A: Italy, where the film is partially set and shot, remains the top international market. It’s also drawing significant audiences in Spain, the United Kingdom, Hungary, Ukraine, Hong Kong, and New Zealand.
Q: What sets “A Haunting in Venice” apart from previous Agatha Christie adaptations?
A: This film takes a darker, horror-based approach compared to the more traditional mystery tone of previous adaptations. It stars Kenneth Branagh as Detective Hercule Poirot and features an ensemble cast that includes Kyle Allen, Jamie Dornan, Tina Fey, Michelle Yeoh, Emma Laird, Kelly Reilly, Camille Cottin, and Jude Hill.
Q: Who directed and produced “A Haunting in Venice”?
A: Kenneth Branagh directed the film, and the production involved Ridley Scott, Simon Kinberg, Judy Hofflund, TSG Entertainment, and Agatha Christie Limited. Executive producers included James Prichard, Louise Killin, and Mark Gordon for The Mark Gordon Company.
More about Supernatural Thriller
- Official Trailer of “A Haunting in Venice”: Get a glimpse of the supernatural thriller.
- Box Office Mojo: For up-to-date box office figures and rankings.
- Kenneth Branagh’s Filmography: Explore the filmography of the renowned actor and director.
- Agatha Christie’s Novels: Discover the world of Agatha Christie’s mystery novels.
- 20th Century Studios: The studio behind “A Haunting in Venice.”
