Michelle Yeoh brings a sense of gravitas to the proceedings throughout “A Haunting in Venice.” But the movie’s screenwriter Michael Green took plenty of liberties adapting the novel it’s based on — “Hallowe’en Party” by Agatha Christie. So even if you’ve read the novel, you may still be in for some twists and turns for the film version. And one of the biggest changes comes from the character of Joyce Reynolds.
In “A Haunting in Venice,” Michelle Yeoh plays an experienced medium, but in the book, Reynolds is a 13-year-old girl. At the titular party, she informs the other guests that she once witnessed a murder, but no one believes her. Later, her body is found in an apple-bobbing tub, leaving it up to Hercule Poirot to determine if any evil presences are around and who could be responsible for the murder or double-murder.
It’s up to Poirot to solve the case, but much like the movie, things become complicated because some guests genuinely believe spirits could’ve had a hand in these deaths. But as a man of reason, Poirot aims to bring justice to the deceased. And turning Reynolds into a psychic (whether she has powers or not) adds an extra level of spookiness to the story.
