Branagh delivers a third Agatha Christie adaption, and like the previous films, Branagh brings in a great cast and delivers a lush-looking production with some gorgeous production design and location work.

Branagh directs and stars, again, as Hercule Poirot the great detective who has now retired to Venice. He is approached by an old friend, and novelist, Ariadne Oliver (Tina Fey) to help him debunk a medium, Mrs. Reynolds (Michelle Yeoh) at a seance she is conducting for Rowena Drake (Kelly Reilly).

Set on Halloween night, 1947, Poirot allows himself to be drawn to Drake’s palazzo, where she resides mourning the apparent suicide of her daughter and is tended to by a doctor, Ferrier (Jamie Dornan) and his young son, Leopold (Jude Hill).

Poirot quickly unveils a number of tricks Reynolds uses in her work as a ‘medium’ but things begin to take a supernatural turn when he can’t explain everything, he begins to see things, and Reynolds ends up murdered!

Trapped in the palazzo due to an ongoing storm, Poirot works to discover the truth of what is going on in the crumbling home. He digs for the truth and will follow the clues wherever they lead.

Once again, Branagh delivers a strong cast, and a lush film, but doesn’t give us a chance to see all the clues ourselves, keeping the audience at a remove, denying us all the clues that would let them work at the mystery with Poirot.

It’s not a slow film, but it definitely takes its time when compared to some of the fast-cutting thrillers and horror films of the modern era. It’s about the experience, and honouring the source material, and honestly, I think Branagh really enjoys playing Poirot.

The location work and the production is gorgeous, something we’ve come to expect from this series of films. Branagh stocks his films with great actors, taking his cues from previous Christie adaptations, and he makes everyone look fantastic in period dress as they move among the sets and locales.

I do hope Branagh continues with his Agatha Christie adaptations, and that he continues to work with exceptional names. I think they could be a touch longer, but also think they could be paced just a little faster.

But who doesn’t love an all-star cast filling out a mystery that toys with the little gray cells. Branagh balances the possible supernatural aspects of the film with the narrative and you know that Poirot will find a rational explanation for the things he and the others are seeing and encountering – that clue can be spotted pretty early, but it’s still executed wonderfully.

Keep them coming Branagh, I would like a few more yet, and I think your Poirot is wonderful.