This installment in the Christie adaptations centered on the famed detective doesn’t have the burden of needing to measure up against a previous, high-profile production—and frankly, that’s fortunate because the underlying story isn't among the author's best. "Poirot," portrayed by Sir Kenneth Branagh, has retreated into isolation in Venice, his only companion being the pastry chef. The appearance of fellow writer "Ariadne" (Tina Fey) stirs his mental faculties and leads them to an old palace where a séance is planned to investigate the unusual death of the young "Alicia." It’s soon apparent that the gathering includes people with complicated pasts, both personal and intertwined with others present, and naturally, in classic “Clue” fashion, one of them turns up murdered in what seems like an impossible situation. The final portion felt somewhat peculiar, as is typical for this writer, delivering a rather unexpected resolution. However, I found the majority of the mystery to unfold in a visually appealing and elegant manner, though it felt heavy and slow-moving. It’s excessively talkative, and the actors don't quite click together; the feeling of danger doesn't build effectively. The musical score is pleasing, and it showcases both the beauty and fragility of Venice, but as a mystery, I thought it was missing something indefinable. Sir Kenneth seems to be developing a distinct character for his detective, which I’m starting to appreciate (though he isn't quite like Peter Ustinov), but the writing felt overly formal, and I struggled to become fully invested in the story. Perhaps it’s one worth revisiting?

Source on TMDB