Dickens & Rumi
Cover of A Haunting in Venice

film

A Haunting in Venice

2023

Celebrated sleuth Hercule Poirot, now retired and living in self-imposed exile in Venice, reluctantly attends a Halloween séance at a decaying, haunted palazzo. When one of the guests is murdered, the detective is thrust into a sinister world of shadows and secrets.

Ages 13+Source checked

Why this age? PG-13 supernatural horror includes murder, an impalement, attempted drowning, ghosts, grief, séance imagery, and sustained suspense. The mystery also requires fairly mature attention to complex motives and revelations. This is guidance, not a safety guarantee; reading level and family context may differ.

Quick view

At a glance

Recommended age13+

Strongest cautions

  • Death of a character4/5
  • Frightening scenes4/5
  • Religious themes3/5

Strongest positives

  • Courage & resilience4/5
  • Creativity & curiosity3/5
  • Good role models3/5

What’s in it?

Death of a character4/5
Why this rating?

Murder and a reported suicide are central, with grief over a daughter’s death shaping the investigation.

Graphic injury2/5
Why this rating?

Some blood and images of the body impaled on a statue; moderate visual intensity.

Strong language2/5
Why this rating?

Occasional mild profanity and sharp or intense dialogue occur, without frequent strong language or slurs.

Religious themes3/5
Why this rating?

Séance, mediumship, spirits, and attempts to contact the dead are prominent supernatural themes, though this is not primarily a religious film.

Romance2/5
Why this rating?

A broken engagement and past romantic relationships affect the plot, but romance is secondary to the murder mystery.

Frightening scenes4/5
Why this rating?

The film centers on a haunted palazzo, Halloween séance, ghosts, manifestations, isolation, storms, and sustained supernatural suspense.

Sexual content & nudity1/5
Why this rating?

No explicit sex or sexual nudity. Brief references to romance, an engagement, and relationship tensions may warrant a minimal rating.

Alcohol or drugs1/5
Why this rating?

Limited social drinking may appear among adults in the period setting; substance use is not central or glamorized.

Violence3/5
Why this rating?

Murder investigation, an attempted drowning, and threatening confrontations drive the story; violence is serious rather than action-heavy.

What’s good in it?

Courage & resilience4/5
Why this rating?

Poirot and others confront danger, apparent supernatural forces, and traumatic truths despite fear and isolation.

Creativity & curiosity3/5
Why this rating?

Encourages analytical thinking and problem-solving through the mystery format.

Diverse representation2/5
Why this rating?

The international ensemble includes a Romani assistant and characters from varied backgrounds, though representation is not the main focus.

Educational value1/5
Why this rating?

Historical setting; otherwise incidental fiction.

Kindness & empathy2/5
Why this rating?

Limited instances given the grim nature of the investigation.

Positive messages3/5
Why this rating?

The story emphasizes truth-seeking, skepticism, accountability, grief, guilt, and the danger of manipulation.

Good role models3/5
Why this rating?

Poirot models persistence, observation, and truth-seeking, though the adults operate amid deception, grief, and morally complicated choices.

Family discussion

Talk about it

Conversation starters based on this title’s published content notes.

  1. What did courage look like in this story? Was being brave always the same as being fearless?
  2. How did the story approach death or loss? What helped the characters cope?
  3. Which choice in A Haunting in Venice would you have made differently, and why?
  4. Who changed the most in A Haunting in Venice, and what caused that change?
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These content notes are a starting point, not a guarantee. Review the evidence and use your own judgment before choosing a title.

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