Haunting Ensemble Whodunnit: 4 A Haunting in Venice Featurettes

“It’s not only a murder mystery, but there’s also a supernatural element to the film. Which takes it to another level,” Tina Fey explains in “A Haunting New Mystery,” one of four A Haunting in Venice featurettes.

20th Century Studios was kind enough to share them with me. Even though I wanted to be greedy and publish them all on Haunt Jaunts’ YouTube channel, I only picked two. Both are embedded below, along with the other two from FilmIsNow Movie Bloopers & Extras and Rotten Tomatoes Trailers.

They all contain similar cuts from the film. However, the behind-the-scenes interviews with Kenneth Branagh (who both directs and plays Hercule Poirot) and the rest of the cast differed. They also explain different elements of the movie, from its inspiration to the setting.

The trailer alone is why A Haunting in Venice is one of the most anticipated movies of Fall 2023. (And the most anticipated horror movie this Halloween season). However, these featurettes ramp up the excitement and intrigue even more. Let’s check them out.

A Haunting in Venice Featurette #1: “A Haunting New Mystery”

“Agatha Christie was an incredible storyteller,” Kenneth Branagh says in this featurette. “She is the world’s number one mystery writer because she understood a good detective story.”

He then says, “Orient Express dealt with revenge. Death on the Nile dealt with greed. This film is about whether there is anything beyond us. A ghost, a god, whether Poirot believes it. It involves him and us being scared.”

But there are other behind-the-scenes revelations too, such as how the actors had no warning about what was coming on set. Maybe in order to achieve what I like to call the Robert Frost effect? (He once said, “No tears in the writer, no tears in the reader. No surprise in the writer, no surprise in the reader.” Just substitute “actor” for “writer.”)

Maybe that’s why Branagh advised us to “Expect the unexpected.” And why Jamie Dornan said, “It’ll be a proper thrill for the audience.”

But my favorite part was a clip showing Hercule Poirot and Ariadne Oliver (Fey) breakfasting on a rooftop.

“Venice, a gorgeous relic slowly sinking into the sea,” Ariadne says to Poirot. “Just like your mind without a challenge.”

In addition to Branagh, Fey, and Dornan, we also hear from Michelle Yeoh in this featurette.

A Haunting in Venice Featurette #2: “Eerie Ensemble”

“In A Haunting in Venice, we take the bones of Agatha Christie’s mystery, the book called Halloween Party, and put it into Venice with all of these wonderful actors to create the perfect haunting mystery,” Branagh explains in this featurette.

Tina Fey then shares that her character is “loosely based” on Christie. It’s followed by a clip of Ariadne inviting Poirot to a seance.

Kelly Reilly explains why “it’s a treat to be in the Agatha Christie world,” which has to do with her fellow castmates and how supportive they are.

Michelle Yeoh mirrored Reilly’s sentiments with liking the theatrics they all got to employ for this movie. Jamie Dornan confirmed there was “team-building” and “bonding exercises” that lent to the collaborative nature of making the film.

But Emma Laird might’ve summed it up best when she said, “This is the beauty of having a big ensemble. You just have this connection and the shared experience.”

“All of these wonderful actors provide a humanity that is very touching and very haunting,” Branagh says. “All of which confuses you and you are in quite the conundrum as to whodunnit.”

Ah, the whodunnit. One of the reasons to love Agatha Christie. Even if you know the story and who did it, it’s fun to see it unfold again and again.

A Haunting in Venice Featurette #3: “Seeing Things”

“There have been two impossible murders,” Poirot says. “As if the living have been killed by the dead.”

Then there are some very haunting images, after which Poirot proclaims, “Tonight, we are all afraid.”

This may be the creepiest featurette of them all, especially if you’re most excited about the ghosts and haunted palazzo element of the film.

“When I read it,” Michelle Yeoh says, “It was fascinating. And then it was terrifying. And then it was horrifying.”

“You’re going to jump a little bit,” Fey states very matter-of-factly.

I believe her because that’s what I did after watching a terrifying clip that was shared separately from, but that is included in, this featurette.

Okay, so now I know not to watch with a full bladder.

But what will happen? Will Poirot become a believe in the other side, or prove it doesn’t exist?

A Haunting in Venice Featurette #4: “The Palazzo”

If you want to know more about the film’s setting and its effect on the cast, this is the featurette to watch.

“I think what was really appealing from the very first read of the script was the palazzo was a character,” production designer John Paul Kelly said.

“I remember walking onto the set for the first time,” Michelle Yeoh explained. “It had set all the right tones.”

“It’s as terrifying and ominous and interesting as it needs to be,” Kyle Allen said.

But the haunting palazzo isn’t the only thing that becomes a character. So does the city the story takes place in.

“I think Venice itself conjures up ideas of darkness,” Jamie Dornan said. “You think of those old Gothic buildings and the history of the place.”

“We tried to find those ways to look at Venice that took you there but made you feel unsettled,” Branagh explained.

Basically, if you like movies with lots of atmosphere, that’s what A Haunting in Venice went for.

For More Info

A Haunting in Venice releases exclusively in theaters on Friday, September 15.

Check-In

Is/are there any Agatha Christie movie/s you’ve watched again and again? (I haven’t even seen A Haunting in Venice yet, but after these featurettes, I have a feeling it will be added to my repeat watch list.)