“The Thursday Murder Club”, a movie adaptation of Richard Osman’s bestseller, boasts an impressive cast including Helen Mirren, Ben Kingsley, and Pierce Brosnan. However, despite its stellar cast, the film fails to capture the essence of the book.
The story follows four retired friends – Joyce, Elizabeth, Ibrahim, and Ron – who form a murder club at their retirement village. With their combined skills and experience, they take on cold cases and solve mysteries. The film adaptation brings to life a world reminiscent of Hogwarts for older adults, complete with a converted convent as the main setting.
The first half of the movie is delightful, but things take a turn for the worse as the body count rises. Suspense is lacking, and the addition of visual gags like club medallions bearing “TMC” initials detract from the story. The movie also simplifies complex characters, such as Polish handyman Bogdan Jankowski and DCI Chris Hudson.
Despite a superlative cast, the film feels more like a Sunday night detective drama than the literary masterpiece it’s based on. While Mirren and Jonathan Pryce shine in their respective roles, the movie ultimately falls short of capturing the richness and depth of Osman’s book. “The Thursday Murder Club” debuts on Netflix August 28, rated PG-13 for violent content, strong language, and some sexual references.
Source: https://www.csmonitor.com/The-Culture/Movies/2025/0822/the-thursday-murder-club-helen-mirren-pierce-brosnan