Director Chris Columbus has gathered a stellar lineup of British talent for his lavish Netflix rendering of Richard Osman’s hit novel The Thursday Murder Club. The film is headlined by Oscar‑winner Helen Mirren, sharing the screen with Pierce Brosnan, Ben Kingsley, David Tennant, Jonathan Pryce and several other distinguished performers.
The comedy‑mystery follows a rag‑tag group of senior sleuths whose attempt to crack a cold case from decades past uncovers a hidden criminal network that triggers a fresh wave of murders. The ensemble’s chemistry, paired with a witty script, supplies plenty of laughs even as the plot stretches its runtime.
Setting the Stage
The story unfolds at Coopers Chase, an elegant country house repurposed as a retirement community. Newly widowed Joyce (Celia Imrie) shows her daughter Joanna (Ingrid Oliver) around when they inadvertently stumble into a room plastered with grisly crime‑scene photographs. While Joanna is mortified, Joyce remains unruffled. The members of the Thursday Murder Club escort them out, and the sharp‑tongued Elizabeth (Mirren) quickly spots that Joyce’s composure hints at a medical background—a skill set the club eagerly welcomes.
Joyce, a former emergency‑room nurse, is thrilled when Elizabeth invites her to the next gathering. There she meets Ron (Brosnan), a boisterous ex‑union activist, and Ibrahim (Kingsley), a refined retired psychiatrist. The trio is presented with an unsolved file: a young woman who was stabbed and then pushed from a window fifty years earlier. Did the knife kill her, or the fall?
A Motive for Murder
Ian Ventham (Tennant), the disagreeable joint owner of Coopers Chase, plans to flip the estate into luxury apartments. His partner, Tony Curran (Geoff Bell), a hardened ex‑gangster, refuses to sell. The club witnesses a heated argument between the two on the grounds, and the next day Tony is found dead, bludgeoned in his own home, prompting the seniors to take on the case.
A Balanced Ensemble
Although Elizabeth is the primary protagonist, the narrative gives ample screen time to each member of the group. Columbus—known for Adventures in Babysitting, Home Alone, and Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone—skillfully juggles comic timing among a large cast, allowing every character a moment to shine.
Screenwriters Katy Brand, a staple of British television, and Suzanne Heathcote, playwright and Killing Eve showrunner, deliver a script that balances multiple murders and mysteries with character‑driven humor. The fun comes from uncovering why each person is drawn into the investigation. Elizabeth is a formidable figure who drops hints about her shadowy past while caring tenderly for her dementia‑stricken husband (Pryce). She thrives on action, especially as the morgue fills with bodies.
Joyce, played by Imrie, becomes Elizabeth’s eager sidekick, matching her mentor’s vivacity and quick wit. Together they prove a force to be reckoned with.
Ron and Ibrahim follow Elizabeth’s lead, each adding his own flavor to the unfolding drama. Brosnan, still effortlessly charming, knows just when to stir the pot. Kingsley offers a deliberately restrained performance, acting as the group’s intellectual anchor; subtle cues about his sexuality linger in the background, never overtly addressed. His body language alone offers a masterclass for aspiring actors.
A Rising Star
Naomi Ackie appears as Donna De Freitas, a young police officer who becomes an essential ally to the senior detectives. Despite sharing the screen with such luminous royalty, Ackie nearly steals the spotlight, her soft‑spoken resolve blossoming under Elizabeth’s mentorship. Donna’s fresh perspective reminds viewers that the wisdom of age can be complemented by youthful enthusiasm.
Production and Reception
Columbus’s crisp editing packs two hours with essential clues, creating a dense puzzle that rewards logical deduction rather than supernatural sleuthing. While the story might have benefitted from a limited‑series format, the sheer talent of the cast and the charming locations make the film a delightful watch.
The Thursday Murder Club is the fourth installment in the book series, with another volume scheduled for release later this year. Fans can hope the cinematic adventures will continue.
The film is a joint venture between Jennifer Todd Pictures, Maiden Voyage, and Amblin Entertainment. It receives a limited theatrical run starting August 22, followed by a Netflix debut on August 28.
