Ever had that weird feeling where you’re certain a movie exists, but you can’t quite place the faces? That’s basically the vibe around When in Venice. People constantly mix it up with the big-budget Kristen Bell rom-com When in Rome or the spooky Kenneth Branagh flick A Haunting in Venice. But if you’re looking for the actual cast of When in Venice, you’re likely diving into a very specific, indie world that most of Hollywood totally missed.
Honestly, the 2021 film—directed by Juan Zapata—is one of those "hidden gems" that people stumble upon on streaming services when they’re looking for something low-key and European. It’s not a Marvel movie. There are no explosions. It’s just two people walking around, talking about their failed marriages and the crushing weight of middle-age expectations.
The Core Cast of When in Venice: Who Are These People?
Let’s get the names out of the way because they aren't exactly household names like George Clooney (though he was just at the Venice Film Festival for Wolfs, adding to the confusion).
The heavy lifting is done by Peter Ketnath and Bellatrix Serra.
Ketnath plays Max, a German IT expert who is, frankly, kind of a mess. He’s cynical, he’s going through a brutal divorce, and he’s basically given up on the whole "romance" thing. Then you’ve got Bellatrix Serra as Maria. She’s a Brazilian chemist who is stuck in a marriage that feels more like a prison sentence than a partnership.
The chemistry between these two is what carries the whole 77-minute runtime. It’s a short movie. Very short. But because the cast of When in Venice is so small, you really get into their heads.
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Why the Cast Works (and Why It Almost Didn't)
Zapata didn't go for A-listers. He went for actors who felt like real people you'd actually see at a dull conference in Northern Italy. Peter Ketnath has this rugged, tired look that fits a guy who’s spent too many years staring at code and dealing with legal papers. Bellatrix Serra brings a sort of nervous energy to Maria that makes her decision to ditch her life for a day in Venice feel earned, rather than just a plot device.
There are a few supporting players, but they’re mostly background noise. You might see Julia Limonchi credited as Max’s ex-wife, but this is a two-person show.
- Peter Ketnath: The cynical German lead.
- Bellatrix Serra: The restless Brazilian lead.
- The City Itself: I know it’s a cliché to say "the city is a character," but in this case, the narrow alleys and damp canals of Venice do more work than most supporting actors.
Clearing Up the "Venice" Confusion
If you arrived here looking for Michelle Yeoh or Jamie Dornan, you’re thinking of A Haunting in Venice. It happens. A lot.
The cast of When in Venice is often overshadowed by the 2023 Agatha Christie adaptation, which had a massive budget and a star-studded ensemble. In that film, Kenneth Branagh reprises his role as Hercule Poirot, joined by Tina Fey and Kelly Reilly. It’s a great movie, but it’s a gothic mystery.
When in Venice is a "Before Sunrise" style walk-and-talk.
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There was also a weird rumor floating around a few years back about a fantasy film involving Cheryl Hines and Ewan McGregor set in Venice, but that project (often titled The Resurrection of Rosselini or similar) has spent more time in development hell than on actual screens. If you see their names linked to "When in Venice," just know that the internet is hallucinating again.
What the Critics Said About the Performances
The reception was... mixed, to be kind. Most critics felt that while Ketnath and Serra were charming enough, the script didn't give them enough meat to chew on. Variety or The Hollywood Reporter didn't exactly give it a five-star rave.
However, at the Fort Lauderdale Film Festival, where it screened, audiences liked the relatability. People in their 40s and 50s resonated with the idea of a "lost weekend." It’s a movie for adults who are tired of being adults.
Behind the Scenes: Zapata’s Direction
Juan Zapata is known for exploring the "emotional ironies" of life. He cowrote the script with Ketnath and Serra, which explains why the dialogue feels so natural. They basically improvised a lot of the interactions.
They shot the film with a tiny crew. You can tell. There’s a raw, almost voyeuristic quality to the camera work. It doesn't look like a postcard. It looks like a rainy Tuesday in Italy, which is arguably more honest.
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Does the Cast of When in Venice Make It Worth Watching?
If you like quiet, contemplative cinema, yes. If you’re expecting a rom-com where someone trips into a fountain while "That's Amore" plays, you’re going to be disappointed.
The value in this film isn't in big dramatic reveals. It’s in the small stuff. It’s the way Max looks at Maria when she admits she’s never actually seen the Rialto Bridge despite living nearby. It’s the shared silence on the train.
The Takeaway for Cinephiles
When you're searching for the cast of When in Venice, you have to be careful not to fall into the trap of bigger franchises. This is a small, independent production that relies entirely on the performances of its two leads.
If you want to track down more work from this crew, Peter Ketnath has a solid body of work in Brazilian and German television (check out Paraíso). Bellatrix Serra remains more of an enigma, but her performance here suggests she deserves more leading roles.
To get the most out of your "Venice" movie marathon, I’d suggest watching this back-to-back with Summertime (1955) starring Katharine Hepburn. It covers similar ground but with a much older, classic Hollywood lens. You’ll see how the "lonely traveler in Venice" trope has evolved over the last 70 years.
Compare the way Ketnath handles the "jaded traveler" archetype versus the stars of the 2025 Venice Film Festival lineup, like George Clooney or Adam Sandler. You'll notice that the indie actors have to work much harder to keep your attention without the benefit of a $100 million marketing budget. Check out Zapata’s other films like Another Forever if you want to see how this specific cast handles even more heavy, emotional themes.