A Haunting in Venice is an old-fashioned terrifying mystery that brings new life (or death) to the franchise just in time for the spooky season. Check out the details in my parents guide movie review.
A Haunting in Venice releases in theaters across the United States this Friday, September 15, 2023. The film stars Kenneth Branagh (Hercule Poirot), Michelle Yeoh (Mrs. Reynolds), Kelly Reilly (Rowena Drake), Tina Fey (Ariadne Oliver), Riccardo Scamarcio (Vitale Portfoglio), Jamie Dornan (Dr. Leslie Ferrier), Jude Hill (Leopold Ferrier), and Emma Laird (Desdemona Holland). The film was written by Academy Award nominee Michael Green and Agatha Christie (based on Christie’s books) and directed by Kenneth Branagh. Check out the details in my parents guide movie review.
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A Haunting in Venice Parents Guide
In A Haunting in Venice: Belgian sleuth Hercule Poirot investigates a murder while attending a Halloween seance at a haunted palazzo in Venice, Italy (Southern Italy).
A Haunting in Venice Age Rating Parents Guide
Let’s take a look at what concerned parents need to know about the age ratings of the series before letting their younger children watch A Haunting in Venice.
Language: A Haunting in Venice does contain snippets of language, with profanity used throughout. Lookout words include sh*t, d*mn, b*st*rd, and hell.
Mature Content: Other than the stronger words in the film, the other big thing to watch out for parents in this parental guide is the mature themes and violence. This is not a kids movies, there are many disturbing death scenes and aberrational behavior that include a girl drowning, an attempted drowning, a fall from a balcony that has a character falling to their death and being imploded by an arm of a statue, and a suicide as a character stabs themselves. There are many intense scenes, creepy and haunting scenes, talking to the dead scenes, and jump scares that will frighten some younger audience members.
Age Rating of A Haunting in Venice: 20th Century Studios A Haunting in Venice film rating has a PG-13 rating by the Motion Picture Association of America – MPAA rating – for strong language, strong violence, disturbing images, and thematic elements, and the parental guidelines advisory recommends it for a mature audience, an older audience, an adult audience, young adults, and teens aged 13 years and older. The suggestion of parental guidance or a legal guardian (adult guardian) for this restricted PG-13 category is highly suggested for young children, young kids, and younger viewers under 13 years of age in this PG-13-rated motion picture for adult material. The minimum age recommendation is 13 years old. The film does not contain any drug use content, drug abuse, no brief nudity or sex scenes.
Overall Thoughts
A Haunting in Venice is a 2023 mystery film directed by Kenneth Branagh and starring Branagh as Hercule Poirot. It is the third film in Branagh’s Poirot series, following Murder on the Orient Express (2017) and Death on the Nile (2022).
The film is set in post-World War II Venice, where Poirot is now retired and living in self-imposed exile. He reluctantly attends a seance despite his own exile, but when one of the guests is murdered, it is up to the former detective to once again uncover the killer.
A Haunting in Venice is a departure from the previous Poirot films in a few ways. First, it is more atmospheric and suspenseful, with a darker and more gothic tone. Second, it features a supernatural element, with Poirot grappling with the possibility that the murder is linked to a ghost. Third, it is more character-driven, with Branagh exploring Poirot’s inner turmoil and vulnerability.
This newest film in the franchise is truly haunting, with a suspenseful atmosphere in Venice. It is beautifully shot and features some chilling atmospheric moments that build the suspense well, with several twists and turns that keep the viewer guessing. The best part about the film is Branagh, who once again gives a great performance as Poirot, as he explores his inner turmoil and vulnerability in more depth than in the previous films.
A Haunting in Venice doesn’t come without some flaws. The film relies too heavily on jump scares, which can be cheap and predictable, leading to the film’s uneven pacing, with some slow and ponderous moments. Overall, A Haunting in Venice is a solid mystery film with some interesting twists and turns. It is not as groundbreaking as Branagh’s previous Poirot films, but it is still a fun and entertaining watch.
