Behind The Scenes of ‘A Haunting In Venice’
Photo by 20th Century Studios
‘A Haunting in Venice’ was released in theatres on September 15th, 2023, grossing $71 Million over its first two weekends at the box office. The film is loosely based off of Agatha Christie’s ‘Hallowe'en Party’. If you’re a murder mystery lover or a fan of the film itself, you’ve landed in the right place because this article will take you behind the scenes of the 20th Century studios production; including clips from the movie, interviews with the cast and crew, and exclusive footage from the set.
*All media in this article is provided courtesy of 20th Century studios
‘A Haunting In Venice’ Plot Synopsis
Photo by 20th Century Studios
In the atmospheric backdrop of post-World War II Venice, the iconic detective, Hercule Poirot, portrayed by the Oscar® winner Kenneth Branagh, finds himself drawn back into the world of sleuthing despite his attempts to embrace a tranquil retirement. The narrative unfolds on All Hallows’ Eve, a time known for its mysterious undertones. Poirot, a reluctant guest in a decaying, haunted palazzo, witnesses the chilling occurrences of the night as he is immersed into a séance.
However, the eerie ambiance soon takes a more sinister turn when one of the attendees meets a gruesome fate. What was initially a mere gathering becomes a locked-room mystery with everyone present becoming a potential suspect. Poirot's impeccable skills are once again put to the test as he delves deep into a web of secrets and shadows, unraveling a tale much darker than he anticipated.
The haunted palazzo itself holds its own mysteries. Once owned by the glamorous opera singer, Rowena Drake, it has seen tragedy in the recent past. Drake's daughter, Alicia, believed to have succumbed to a family curse, met a tragic end in the waters of the surrounding canal. Yet, as the séance progresses, it becomes evident that the narrative surrounding Alicia’s demise is far from the truth.
Amidst this intricate puzzle, Poirot encounters an array of intriguing characters, each hiding their own secrets. Ariadne Oliver, a mystery writer portrayed by Tina Fey, seeks Poirot's expertise to debunk the abilities of psychic medium, Joyce Reynolds, brought to life by Michelle Yeoh. But as the night deepens, the lines between the supernatural and reality blur, pushing Poirot into uncharted territories.
Drawing inspiration from Agatha Christie’s 1969 novel "Hallowe’en Party", this film adaptation reimagines the story, transporting it from the English countryside to the haunting waterways of Venice. With an ensemble cast, "A Haunting in Venice" combines the traditional whodunit with elements of the supernatural, aiming to provide a unique cinematic experience for its audience.
‘A Haunting in Venice’ Movie Trailers
Step into the mysterious ambiance of post-World War II Venice with the official trailers for ‘A Haunting in Venice’. These previews offer glimpses into the suspenseful narrative and the captivating characters portrayed in the movie.
A Haunting In Venice Trailer #1
Video via 20th Century Studios
A Haunting In Venice Trailer #2
Video via 20th Century Studios
‘A Haunting in Venice’: Full Cast & Crew Breakdown
Kenneth Branagh took the reigns as both lead actor and director of ‘A Haunting in Venice’, and the screenplay was crafted by Oscar® nominee Michael Green. On-screen, the film features a stellar cast, including Jamie Dornan, Tina Fey, and recent Oscar winner Michelle Yeoh. Continue reading for a full cast and crew breakdown.
‘A Haunting in Venice’ Cast
Kenneth Branagh - “Hercule Poirot” and Director
Photo via IMDB by Jon Furniss - © 2012 Jon Furniss - Image courtesy gettyimages.com
Photo via IMDB by Miller Mobley
Photo via IMDB by Alberto E. Rodriguez | Credit: Getty Images for AFI Copyright: 2011 Getty Images
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Photo via IMDB
Photo via IMDB Photo by Stephane Cardinale - Corbis - © 2016 Stephane Cardinale - Corbis - Image courtesy gettyimages.com
Kyle Allen - “Maxime Gerard”
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Ali Khan - “Nicholas Holland”
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Photo via IMDB by George Pimentel - © 2014 George Pimentel - Image courtesy gettyimages.com
Photo via The Movie Database
‘A Haunting in Venice’ Crew
The success of ‘A Haunting in Venice’ can largely be attributed to its dedicated crew. Below is an overview of the principal members who contributed to the film's creation:
Screenplay by Michael Green
Louise Killin - Executive Producer
James Prichard - Executive Producer
Mark Gordon - Executive Producer
Judy Hofflund - Producer (p.g.a.)
Ridley Scott - Producer
Simon Kinberg - Producer
‘A Haunting in Venice’ Film Clips
To understand the various plot layers of ‘A Haunting in Venice’, you’ll want to check out the movie clips below (courtesy of 20th Century Studios) that shed light on pivotal moments and character dynamics within the film. These curated scenes provide a glimpse into the intricate plotline and the relationships of the main characters, offering a deeper understanding of the film’s essence.
‘A Haunting in Venice’ Movie Clip: “Listening”
The “Listening” clip showcases a significant moment in the film: the seance. Led by Michelle Yeoh’s character, “Mrs. Reynolds,” this scene is the cornerstone of the movie, as its the purpose behind the gathering of the characters.
Video via 20th Century Studios
‘A Haunting in Venice’ Movie Clip: “Living Proof”
Video via 20th Century Studios
In the “Living Proof” clip features an exchange between Ariadne Oliver (played by Tina Fey) and Hercule Poirot (played by Kenneth Branagh). They engage in a discussion about the authenticity of Mrs. Reynolds's esoteric abilities. Oliver argues for the existence of a spiritual dimension, proclaiming Mrs. Reynolds as “living proof”, while Poirot presents a more skeptical perspective.
‘A Haunting in Venice’ Movie Clip: “Lost My Faith”
Video via 20th Century Studios
The “Lost My Faith” scene showcases Poirot's (Kenneth Branagh) reservations about the spiritual realm. Directly confronting Mrs. Reynolds (Michelle Yeoh), Poirot articulates his disbelief in supernatural phenomena. His assertion is dramatically challenged when a chandelier crashes mid-conversation, raising questions about the nature of the event.
‘A Haunting in Venice’ Movie Clip: “Old Friends”
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The clip “Old Friends” features a conversation between long-time acquaintances Hercule Poirot (Kenneth Branagh) and Ariadne Oliver (Tina Fey). As they work to unravel the murder mystery, Poirot momentarily suspects Oliver, but as their shared history is recalled, prompt reminders of facts that prove her innocence lead him to reconsider. With suspicions cleared, he seeks her collaboration in the investigation.
Getting to Know The Plot with Behind The Scenes Featurettes
Now that you’ve acquainted yourself with the plot, and cast and crew, it’s time to dive deeper into the details of the story. Courtesy of 20th Century Studios, continue reading for a series of videos that showcase pivotal moments from the film and provide insights from the cast and crew about the underlying themes and character developments. These five featurettes - "Seeing Things," "The Palazzo," "Eerie Ensemble," "Character Profile Rowena Drake," and "A Haunting New Mystery" - offer a unique behind-the-scenes look into the making and meaning of this captivating tale.
‘A Haunting in Venice’ Movie Featurette: “Seeing Things”
Video via 20th Century Studios
This segment details the atmospheric elements integral to the film’s esoteric nature. Kenneth Branagh, the director, provides an explanation of the techniques and decisions behind capturing the film's mood, with emphasis on factors like the turbulent weather and the choice of the haunted palazzo as a primary setting.
‘A Haunting in Venice’ Movie Featurette: “The Palazzo”
Video via 20th Century Studios
The film's primary setting, the palazzo, is examined in this section as the cast and crew explain how it contributes to the eerie feel of the film. Click here to more about Palazzo Malipiero and the movie’s filming locations.
‘A Haunting in Venice’ Movie Featurette: “Eerie Ensemble”
Video via 20th Century Studios
Here, the dynamics of the cast are brought into focus. Kenneth Branagh and other principal actors discuss their collaborative journey, the nuances of their respective roles, and how they envisioned their characters fitting into Agatha Christie's expansive universe.
‘A Haunting in Venice’ Movie Featurette: “Character Profile: Rowena Drake”
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Dedicated to the character Rowena Drake, portrayed by Kelly Reilly, this segment offers a deeper understanding of her role in the film. Through discussions between Reilly and director Kenneth Branagh, this video offers a look into the character's attributes, motivations, and significance within the storyline.
‘A Haunting in Venice’ Movie Featurette: “A Haunting New Mystery”
Video via 20th Century Studios
This featurette centers on the narrative essence of the film, exploring the intertwining of mystery and supernatural elements. Cast members share their outlook on the film, highlighting the story's distinct characteristics and the unique approach taken to create the cinematic adaptation.
Behind The Scenes Interviews with The Actors
‘A Haunting in Venice’ interview with Riccardo Scamarcio – “Vitale Portfoglio”
Video via 20th Century Studios
Riccardo Scamarcio, who plays '“Vitalie" Portfoglio” in the film discusses his character, what it was like working with Kenneth Branagh, the production design on the film, and Michelle Yeoh and the seance scene.
‘A Haunting in Venice’ interview with Kyle Allen – “Maxime Gerard”
Video via 20th Century Studios
In this clip, Kyle Allen, who plays Maxime Gerard, discusses his character’s relationship with the Hercule Poirot, what it was like working on set, the film’s costume design and insights on working with Kenneth Branagh.
‘A Haunting in Venice’ interview with Jude Hill – “Leopold Ferrier”
Video via 20th Century Studios
In this behind the scenes clip, Judith hill, who plays Leopold Ferrier, discusses his character in the film, what it was like working with Kenneth Branagh, his character’s relationship with his on-screen father (Dr. Leslie Ferrier, played by Jamie Dornan) and how he prepared for the role.
‘A Haunting in Venice’ interview with Emma Laird – “Desdemona Holland”
Video via 20th Century Studios
In this clip, Emma laird, who plays Desmonda Holland in the movie, discusses working with Kenneth Branagh as a director, her character in the film and on-screen relationship with Nicholas (played by Ali Khan).
‘A Haunting in Venice’ interview with Camille Cottin – “Olga Seminoff”
Video via 20th Century Studios
In this video, Camille Cottin, who plays Olga Seminoff, offers her thoughts on working with Kenneth Branagh, her role in the film and what went into designing her character.
‘A Haunting in Venice’ interview with Ali Khan – “Nicholas Holland”
Video via 20th Century Studios
In this interview with Ali Khan, who plays “Nicholas Holland”, he discusses his character in the movie, being directed by Kenneth Branagh, and what audiences can expect from the film.
‘A Haunting in Venice’ interview with Kelly Reilly – “Rowena Drake”
Video via 20th Century Studios
In this clip, Kelly Riley, who portrays Rowena Drake, discusses her role in the film, what it was like working with the cast and Kenneth Branagh’s directing style and character portrayal in the movie.
‘A Haunting in Venice’ interview with Jamie Dornan – “Dr. Leslie Ferrier”
Video via 20th Century Studios
In this video, Jamie Dornan, who plays Dr. Leslie Ferrier in the movie, discusses what makes this film unique, his on-screen relationship with actor Jude Hill, his thoughts on Kenneth Branagh as an actor and director and bonding with his cast members.
‘A Haunting in Venice’ interview with Tina Fey – “Ariadne Oliver”
This video clip is a character profile of Tina Fey’s character, “Ariadne Oliver”.
Video via 20th Century Studios
‘A Haunting in Venice’ interview with Michelle Yeoh – “Joyce Reynolds”
Video via 20th Century Studios
This video clip is a character profile of Michelle Yeoh’s character, “Joyce Reynolds”.
‘A Haunting in Venice’ interview with Kenneth Branagh – Director / “Hercule Poirot”
Video via 20th Century Studios
Kenneth Branagh, who doubles as the director and the lead actor of the film, discusses what it was like filming in Venice, his thoughts on composer Hildur Guđnadóttir, Tina Fey’s character (Adriane Oliver), and Michelle Yeoh’s portrayal of Joyce Reynolds.
Behind the Scenes of ‘A Haunting in Venice’: Exclusive B-Roll Footage
Step directly onto the set of 'A Haunting in Venice' with these B-roll clips, providing an intimate look into the film's production process and music scoring session. Presented by 20th Century Studios, these exclusive segments offer a glimpse behind the scenes.
A Haunting In Venice B-Roll 1
Video via 20th Century Studios
This video shows an array of b-roll clips from the filming set of ‘A Haunting in Venice’.
A Haunting In Venice: Clips from the scoring session
Video via 20th Century Studios
Experience the musical heartbeat of the film with these exclusive clips from the fil'm’s scoring session, shedding light on the creation of its auditory landscape.
Behind The Scenes Interviews with The Crew of ‘A Haunting In Venice’
Now, let’s take a deeper look into the creative minds that brought 'A Haunting in Venice' to life. In this section, key members of the film's crew share their experiences and the inspirations that shaped this cinematic masterpiece.
Michael Green - Screenwriter
Video via 20th Century Studios
Screenwriter Michael Green discusses creating ‘A Haunting in Venice’ from his perspective including the process of writing Kenneth Banagh’s character into the script, selecting the shooting location for the movie and constructing the overall eerie nature of the film.
John Paul Kelly - Production Designer
John Paul Kelly offers his perspective of bringing the film to life as the production designer.
Video via 20th Century Studios
Hildur Guđnadóttir - Composer
Video via 20th Century Studios
Hildur Guđnadóttir discusses her enthusiasm to create a dark, moody and classical musical score for the movie.
Sammy Differ - Costume Designer
Video via 20th Century Studios
Sammy Differ delves into the process of costume design for 'A Haunting in Venice'.
Conclusion
Through an examination of cast insights, behind-the-scenes details, and crew discussions, it's evident that each aspect of 'A Haunting in Venice' was meticulously crafted. This comprehensive breakdown of the movie provides a clear picture of the dedication and expertise that went into the film's production. For both Agatha Christie followers and those with an avid interest in cinema, we hope this overview of 'A Haunting in Venice' has given you a meaningful peek behind the scenes of what goes into making a screen work of art such as this. If you’ve seen the movie, we’d love to hear your thoughts, so comment your thoughts below!
