Director Kenneth Branagh (with screenwriter Michael Green) has previously adapted mystery writer Agatha Christie (Murder on the Orient Express, Death on the Nile), but he takes her novel, The Hallowe’en Party, and makes bold choices in plot and mood to create a winning who-done-it that has elements of horror.
It is 1947, and retired detective, Hercule Poirot (Branagh), is approached by mystery writer and friend, Ariadne Oliver (Tina Fey), to debunk a psychic (Michelle Yeoh) in Venice, Italy. It seems that a host wants to communicate with her deceased daughter who died under tragic circumstances involving spirits. A skeptical Poirot and assorted guests (including Jamie Dornan and Kelly Reilly), who have ties to the girl, attend a séance where strange things happen leading to a deepening mystery and even murder! While Poirot subsequently interviews the gallery of suspects, he learns of each person’s connection, and hidden secrets are revealed as unscrupulous motives emerges. Attempting to uncover the truth, he experiences disturbing sounds and visions that point to the supernatural. Can he find the killer before he or anyone else becomes another victim?
This engaging story shows Branagh in control with well-placed shots and steadily building narrative. Patient, mystery lovers will appreciate the deliberate pacing and clues hiding in plain sight that reward them with surprising twists and betrayals. It functions primarily as a splendid mystery with detours into psychological horror. The ultimate question posits if Poirot is really being confronted by ghosts, and whether he can solve the murder(s) and explain the bizarre events.
Perhaps the best of his Poirot
trilogy of films, by making liberal
changes with the source material, Branagh may be on the right path for future
adaptations to tantalize and intrigue mystery lovers.
****
of ***** stars (add ½* for mystery fans)
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