'A Haunting in Venice' might be the best Agatha Christie adaptation yet

Exhausted, depressed and demotivated is how we find Monsieur Hercule Poirot at the start of "A Haunting In Venice." In a phrase: He's burned out. And who can blame the world's greatest detective since Sherlock Holmes? After seeing the worst side of humanity for years, Poirot decides to retire in Venice.

A desperate line of people lingers at his palazzo doorstep each day, hoping to convince him to take on their cases. He ignores them all, and his bodyguard, Vitale Portfoglio (Riccardo Scamarcio), makes sure the pitiful crowd keeps its distance.

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But rest and relaxation do not last long for the detective. An acquaintance arrives with a case sure to stir up his interest. It involves a house with a terrifying legend of murdered children. The question is, was it the dead murdering the living, or is something even more sinister at play?

Kenneth Branagh reprises his role as both Poirot and film director. He does a fine job, as usual.

While the previous film adaptations of Agatha Christie's hero felt blasé (perhaps Christie's books are more engaging, but Poirot's adventures always feel ponderous on screen), "A Haunting in Venice" is anything but boring. In fact, it's the best of the Poirot movies so far.

Which Agatha Christie is 'A Haunting in Venice' based on?

This film is adapted from Christie's book "Hallowe’en Party.” So if you've read the book, you'll know where the story goes. Even so, the introduction of supernatural horror elements adds a layer of delicious suspense.

We get to see our hero question everything he knows. Are ghosts real? Did they really kill? And are they still murdering people?

Poirot hears the voices of children and even sees what can only be described as apparitions. But are they really there? Or a trick of a mastermind? Or possibly a trick of the mind?

Poirot's dilemma echoes the plight of Benedict Cumberbatch's Sherlock in "The Hound of the Baskervilles" episode. There's something satisfying about seeing geniuses like Poirot and Sherlock get their stoic and reason-bound minds disturbed.

Is 'A Haunting in Venice' worth watching?

The cast in this film is also top tier. Academy Award-winner Michelle Yeoh assumes the role of the medium, Mrs. Reynolds. Every moment she's on screen is pure gold. Tina Fey is fabulous as the story-greedy author Ariadne Oliver. She claims that it was her books that made Poirot famous.

Jamie Dornan, Kelly Reilly, Jude Hill and Dylan Corbett Bader, along with Ali Khan, Emma Laird and Camille Cottin, round off the crew of suspects. Each actor is fully committed and engaging to watch.

The cinematography and production design are also superb, and plenty of horror film tricks are deployed in this whodunit.

If you're not one for horror stories, this film will still suit you. Despite a tale buzzing with ghosts, it's more of a thriller than a true horror story. And clever minds may even spot the murder weapon and maybe even the guilty party or parties.

If you're looking for a fun movie to start the spooky season, this is the perfect film for you.

'A Haunting in Venice' 3.5 stars

Great ★★★★★ Good ★★★★

Fair ★★★ Bad ★★ Bomb ★

Director: Kenneth Branagh.

Cast: Kenneth Branagh, Michelle Yeoh, Jamie Dornan, Tina Fey.

Rating: PG-13 for some strong violence, disturbing images and thematic elements.

How to watch: Opens in theaters on Sept. 15.

Contact Kaely Monahan at kaely.monahan@arizonarepublic.com. Follow her on our podcasts Valley 101 and The Gaggle, and on Twitter @KaelyMonahan.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: 'A Haunting in Venice' movie review: The best Hercule Poirot film yet