Kenneth Branagh has been entrusted with continuing the Hercule Poirot franchise at Disney’s 20th Century Studios after its inception at Fox with the successful “Murder on the Orient Express” in 2017. However, recent installments have failed to reach the box office heights of the first film. In this article, we will analyze the prospects of Branagh’s latest adaptation of an Agatha Christie novel, “A Haunting in Venice,” and consider the factors that may impact its success.
While “A Haunting in Venice” is projected to make around $12 million during its opening weekend, it is still a far cry from the surprising $28.6 million opening weekend of “Murder on the Orient Express.” The first film’s impressive box office performance established it as an adult holiday sleeper, eventually raking in $102.8 million. The current projection for “A Haunting in Venice” is similar to Branagh’s previous adaptation, “Death on the Nile,” which opened to $12.8 million in February 2022. Given the ongoing concern about Covid-19 at the time of its release, it was challenging for “Death on the Nile” to attract its core demographic of older moviegoers.
One potential upside for “A Haunting in Venice” is its critical reception. It has garnered positive reviews on Rotten Tomatoes, with an 80% certified fresh rating. This positive feedback may encourage adult moviegoers who rely on reviews when making film choices to consider watching the movie. In comparison, both “Murder on the Orient Express” and “Death on the Nile” received lower scores of 61% with critics.
The target audience for “A Haunting in Venice” remains largely the same as its predecessors, appealing to the 45-plus demographic, especially women. However, it must be noted that the film lacks the star-studded cast of its predecessors. “Murder on the Orient Express” boasted a highly acclaimed ensemble, including Johnny Depp, Daisy Ridley, Judi Dench, Penélope Cruz, Michelle Pfeiffer, and Willem Dafoe. Similarly, “Death on the Nile” featured Gal Gadot, Annette Bening, and Armie Hammer. “A Haunting in Venice,” on the other hand, only features Tina Fey and Oscar winner Michelle Yeoh alongside Branagh.
Apart from the cast, another potential challenge for the film is its relatively lower budget compared to “Death on the Nile.” While “A Haunting in Venice” cost $60 million to produce, “Death on the Nile” had a budget of $100 million (excluding advertising expenses). Despite its smaller budget, “Death on the Nile” did not perform well domestically, earning only $45.6 million, with a global total of $137.3 million. It remains to be seen whether the lower production cost of “A Haunting in Venice” will affect its profitability.
The success of Kenneth Branagh’s “A Haunting in Venice” hinges on several factors, including its critical reception, target audience appeal, and the absence of a star-studded cast. While the film has received positive reviews and caters to its established 45-plus demographic, it remains to be seen whether it can replicate the box office success of “Murder on the Orient Express.” Despite these challenges, the film’s lower budget may work in its favor, potentially mitigating financial risks. As audiences flock back to theaters, “A Haunting in Venice” has the opportunity to captivate moviegoers and revive interest in the Hercule Poirot franchise.