Distinguishing Features: A Comparison between 'A Haunting in Venice' and the 'Poirot' TV Episode

Article Summary

A Haunting in Venice is a supernatural thriller based on an Agatha Christie novel, following Kenneth Branagh's Hercule Poirot as he solves three different murders.

The TV adaptation of Agatha Christie's Poirot closely adheres to the original novel, as Hercule Poirot delves into the mysterious murder of a young girl during a Halloween party. Unlike the movie, the TV version offers a darker and more faithful portrayal, unraveling a plot with two murderers and unsettling revelations that jeopardize the safety of the young teenagers in the village.

A Haunting in Venice, which recently premiered on VOD and Hulu, reimagines the Agatha Christie novel as a supernatural thriller set in a mysterious old palazzo. This haunting tale brings together a group of friends, enemies, and a Belgian detective, as they confront secrets that are even darker than the shadows that surround them. Just like the previous adaptations centered around Kenneth Branagh, there is another version of the story available for comparison. ITV's long-running series, Agatha Christie's Poirot, dedicated 13 seasons to adapting every tale featuring the Belgian sleuth, including Hallowe'en Party, which serves as the basis for A Haunting in Venice. While the film infuses the novel's traditional mystery with a gothic horror atmosphere, this earlier interpretation of Christie's work is sinister in its own unique way.

A Haunting in Venice

After living in self-imposed exile in post-World War II Venice, Poirot, who is now retired, reluctantly finds himself attending a seance. However, the peaceful gathering takes a dark turn when one of the guests is brutally murdered. Now, the former detective must tap into his investigative instincts once more to unravel the identity of the killer.

Scheduled to be released on September 15, 2023, this gripping drama is directed by Kenneth Branagh and features a talented cast, including Kelly Reilly, Michelle Yeoh, Jamie Dornan, and Kenneth Branagh himself. With a PG-13 rating and a runtime of 103 minutes, this film promises to captivate and enthrall audiences.

What Happens in the 'Agatha Christie's Poirot' Episode?

A Haunting in Venice intensifies the suspense of the murder mystery, ensuring that audiences remain constantly on edge. In this 2010 TV episode, while there are no apparitions or dramatic chandelier crashes that are often associated with the most frightening moments in movies, a dark and stormy night sets the atmosphere, faithfully following the storyline of the original 1969 book. Hercule Poirot (David Suchet) is urgently summoned by his old friend and mystery writer Ariadne Oliver (Zoë Wanamaker), who had been present at the Halloween party that took a sinister turn: thirteen-year-old Joyce Reynolds (Macy Nyman) is discovered lifeless, face down in a tub of apple-bobbing. Willingly accepting the request, Poirot embarks on a journey to Woodleigh Common, uncovering not only the foul play involved in Joyce's case but also the mysteries surrounding other unexplained deaths in this village's history.

"Hallowe'en Party" begins with an intense storm raging against the home of the stern Rowena Drake (Deborah Findlay), setting the perfect atmosphere for Halloween. Jack-o'-lanterns illuminate the estate while a children's party carries on inside. The local kids, with their eerie demeanor, delight in a peculiar game where they hurriedly grab flaming raisins, chanting, "Snip, snap, dragon!" Amidst the festivities, Joyce makes a startling claim, confessing to witnessing a murder. However, not everyone believes her, as Joyce has a reputation for seeking attention. Yet, someone sees this mention of "murder" as a threat. While the other children are occupied in another room, Joyce meets a tragic fate, being drowned in the apple-bobbing bucket, leaving her innocent bumblebee costume soaked. Unlike "A Haunting in Venice," where the victim's character is transformed into Michelle Yeoh's fame-seeking medium, "Hallowe'en Party" remains faithful to the book, generating a more authentic and unsettling viewing experience. Branagh's detective narrowly avoids death during the apple-bobbing scene, while little Joyce, in this version, is not as fortunate.

‘Agatha Christie’s Poirot’ Is a Closer Adaptation Than 'A Haunting in Venice'

The earlier seasons of Poirot had a more cheerful tone and brighter visuals. However, by Season 12, particularly in the episode "Hallowe'en Party," the atmosphere becomes darker and more isolated. David Suchet's portrayal of Hercule Poirot is highly praised, as he meticulously perfected the character's mannerisms to match Christie's writing. On screen, Poirot appears colder in the later seasons, having witnessed the worst in humanity. However, his deductive abilities remain as sharp as ever. Poirot is certain that Joyce's murder is connected to her last words: "I saw a murder once." While some characters question the significance of past deaths in the town, Poirot firmly believes that "old sins cast long shadows." As the story progresses, it becomes clear that the young girl's death will not be the last, as more teenagers are either murdered or put in danger due to these "sins."

Leopold (Jude Hill) in A Haunting in Venice is an endearing, albeit peculiar, child who, in a surprising turn of events, possesses the cunning to coerce the film's killer into providing financial aid for his mentally unstable father. In the Poirot episode, however, Leopold (Richard Breislin) is an older teenager who encounters a tragedy when his sister, Joyce, is murdered. Contrary to his previous portrayal, Leopold exhibits a callous indifference towards the loss of Joyce, a sibling with whom he had a strained relationship. Poirot notices a gilded timepiece adorning the young boy's wrist during their encounter, leading the detective to suspect that it was purchased using the hush money. Shortly after Joyce's demise, Leopold's lifeless body is discovered floating in a nearby pond, a victim of his knowledge about the unsettling happenings at the Halloween party. By the conclusion of the episode, another child's life teeters on the edge of danger, as a sinister twist of revelations unfolds.

The TV Version of 'Hallowe'en Party' Has Two Killers

Image Via ITV

In contrast to the 2023 film's portrayal of Rowena Drake (Kelly Reilly) as the sole killer driven by her need to hide her Munchausen syndrome by proxy, the television adaptation introduces two murderers. One of them is Michael Garfield (Julian Rhind-Tutt), a wandering gardener who tends to the lush greenery of Rowena's estate. While Michael and Rowena openly display animosity towards each other in public, they secretly harbor a passionate love affair, a fact deduced by Poirot. Over the years, this illicit pair has committed a series of murders to secure their hold on the estate and a substantial fortune. A murder did indeed occur, witnessed by a young girl, but it wasn't Joyce; she falsely claimed responsibility after being informed by her best friend Miranda (Mary Higgins).

Miranda witnessed Michael Garfield disposing of a body, but he cunningly manipulated her into believing it was part of a pagan human sacrifice. While Woodleigh Common may not possess the same fervor for paganism as that depicted in The Wicker Man, it is nevertheless plagued by death and brainwashing, minus the burning effigy. Adding to the distressing revelation, Poirot uncovers that Michael is actually the girl’s father from a concealed affair. Unbeknownst to Miranda, Michael has always been aware of their relation, although their familial bond holds no significance to him. Realizing that Miranda possesses dangerous knowledge, he proceeds to prepare her as the next supposed human sacrifice. Manipulating her thoughts, Michael convinces Miranda that Joyce and Leopold were murdered to preserve beauty in the world, a deceptive tale that almost compels her to consume a poisoned chalice. Just before tragedy strikes, Poirot intervenes with the police in tow. As a result, the identity of the other culprit, Rowena, is soon to be exposed.

The 'Agatha Christie's Poirot' Episode Is Much Darker Than Kenneth Branagh's Horror Movie

Image Via ITV

To safeguard her future with Michael, Rowena cold-bloodedly takes lives while he lingers by her side because of her wealth. At the Halloween party, when she discovers Joyce alone, Rowena confronts her about witnessing a murder. Assuming a deceptive role as a cheerful host, she persuades the girl to participate in bobbing for the final apple in the tub. Tragically, as Joyce submerges her head in the water, her fate is sealed. Later, Rowena orchestrates Leopold's drowning with Michael. When they rendezvous, Michael presents her with the gold watch the young man had purchased using the bribe money. Grinning with delight, Rowena embraces him and lets out a gleeful laugh, while he asks, "Do you still have the receipt?" In the aftermath, Poirot exposes the culprits, and Rowena seizes upon the revelation that Miranda is Michael's secret daughter. Enraged, the older woman lunges at the girl, prepared to strike again, until the authorities intervene and apprehend her. These two despicable lovers eventually face retribution, but not before leaving a trail of victims in their wake.

A Haunting in Venice immerses its characters in a terrifying haunted house, delivering a true scare-fest. However, even during the daytime investigations, the TV version cleverly maintains an eerie atmosphere with subtle unsettling elements. Poirot seeks out Mrs. Goodbody, an inquisitive elderly woman (Paola Dionisotti), who cryptically alludes to her peculiar way of acquiring town gossip. "I constantly witness things, sometimes through my eyes, other times through the leaves," she murmurs. Specifically, she hints that the late Joyce may have used tea leaves to "see" the murder she spoke of.

Poirot openly expresses his disdain for ghost stories he hears on the radio, having witnessed enough wickedness in humanity. In the final moments, he confides in Ariadne, "Poirot was right, wasn't he? Halloween is not a time for recounting macabre tales, but rather, for lighting candles for the deceased." A Haunting in Venice presents a captivating adaptation, exhibiting a faster pace to propel the mystery forward. While it may surprise viewers with jolting jump scares, it remains careful in its treatment of the victims. In this Poirot episode, the mystery unfolds gradually, allowing for well-placed clues and explanations when it's time to unveil the solution to the whodunit. Without the supernatural ambiance, this adaptation takes on a darker tone, with the lives of children hanging in the balance in what Poirot aptly describes as a "slaughterhouse" of a village.

A Haunting in Venice is now streaming on Hulu.

Watch on Hulu

Editor's P/S

As an enthusiastic fan of both the "A Haunting in Venice" movie and the "Poirot" TV episode, I must say that each adaptation brings its own unique take on the classic Agatha Christie mystery. While the movie offers a more supernatural and thrilling approach, the TV episode stays true to the original story, presenting a darker and more faithful portrayal of the events.

In "A Haunting in Venice," the setting is transformed into a mysterious old palazzo, creating a haunting atmosphere filled with secrets and shadows. The film intensifies the suspense of the murder mystery, keeping the audience on the edge of their seats with dramatic twists and turns. The addition of supernatural elements, such as apparitions and chandelier crashes, adds a touch of horror to the story, making it a thrilling experience for fans of the genre. The cast, including Kenneth Branagh, Kelly Reilly, and Michelle Yeoh, deliver strong performances, bringing depth and complexity to their characters.

On the other hand, the "Poirot" TV episode stays closer to the original novel, capturing the essence of Agatha Christie's writing. The story unfolds in a gloomy and atmospheric setting, with a dark and stormy night providing the perfect backdrop for the mysterious murder. David Suchet's portrayal of Hercule Poirot is exceptional, as he brings his signature intelligence and wit to the role. The episode delves into the intricate details of the murder, revealing the dark secrets and motivations of the characters. The supporting cast, including Zoë Wanamaker and Deborah Findlay, also delivers strong performances, adding depth and authenticity to the story.

Overall, both "A Haunting in Venice" and the "Poirot" TV episode offer compelling interpretations of the classic Agatha Christie mystery. While the movie takes a more supernatural and thrilling approach, the TV episode remains faithful to the original story, presenting a darker and more authentic portrayal. As a fan, I appreciate the unique strengths of each adaptation and believe that they both offer enjoyable and engaging experiences for viewers.