While A Haunting in Venice, the third installment in Kenneth Branagh’s Agatha Christie-inspired murder mystery series, has faced lukewarm reception from domestic audiences, its international performance has kept it afloat. Although it’s projected to be the lowest-grossing entry in the trilogy globally, the film has crossed the $100 million mark at the worldwide box office, salvaging its reputation.
In its fifth weekend, A Haunting in Venice earned $2 million domestically, maintaining its position outside the top five for the third consecutive week. Its total domestic earnings now reach $38 million, putting it within striking distance of surpassing its predecessor, Death on the Nile, which concluded its domestic run with $45 million last year.
A Haunting in Venice has garnered an additional $67 million from international markets, resulting in a cumulative global collection of $106 million.
In contrast, Death on the Nile finished its global run with $137 million, less than half of Murder on the Orient Express’s impressive $350 million in 2017. All three films were helmed by Branagh, who also portrays the renowned fictional detective Hercule Poirot.
However, it’s evident that the series has experienced diminishing returns, particularly in the domestic market. Perhaps A Haunting in Venice will find a wider audience when it becomes available on home video, likely in time for Halloween.
Despite 20th Century Studios‘ attempt to rein in the budget to a reported $60 million this time around (compared to the bloated $90 million-plus for Death on the Nile), the franchise’s fortunes don’t seem to have taken a turn for the better, casting doubt on its future.
However, A Haunting in Venice can find comfort in being arguably the best-reviewed film of the series; it currently holds a 75% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, surpassing the 61% scores earned by its predecessors.
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This film marked a departure in style and tone from both Death on the Nile and Murder on the Orient Express, which were opulently staged, star-studded, and embraced a traditional mystery format. A Haunting in Venice, in contrast, adopts a more restrained approach, leaning heavily on horror elements.
Adapted from a relatively low-profile source novel, the movie also boasts an ensemble cast including Kyle Allen, Camille Cottin, Jamie Dornan, Tina Fey, Jude Hill, Ali Khan, Emma Laird, Kelly Reilly, Riccardo Scamarcio, and Michelle Yeoh.
