A Review On Thursday Murder Club: Where Crime Meets Comedy

The Thursday Murder Club is a comedy crime thriller that premiered on Netflix on August 28th, 2025. Directed by Chris Columbus and written by Katy Brand and Suzanne Heathcote, the film is a delightful live adaptation of Richard Osman’s bestselling novel The Thursday Murder Club.

This movie, much like Nonnas, touched a soft spot in my heart. The cast is a lineup of some of the finest veteran actors, each delivering their roles with brilliance. With names like Helen Mirren, Pierce Brosnan, Ben Kingsley, and Celia Imrie, alongside rising star Naomi Ackie, Thursday Murder Club shines with both charm and talent.

Premise

The story begins in Coopers Chase, a retirement village that looks peaceful on the surface. Residents live in well-kept houses, enjoying their slow days with tea and conversations. But beneath that quiet charm lies a curious group of four retirees who meet every Thursday. They are not your typical old folks. They form the Thursday Murder Club, a group that spends its afternoons poring over unsolved murder cases.

The members include Ibrahim, a retired psychiatrist, Ron, a former trade union leader, and Elizabeth, a sharp and fearless ex-MI6 agent. Soon, Joyce, a retired nurse who just moved into the village, joins them. Her medical knowledge makes her useful, and her excitement about joining the club adds comic warmth.

Their curiosity grows when Police Constable Donna De Freitas, newly transferred from London, visits to lecture the residents about safety. Donna finds herself drawn into their circle, even though she admits her job feels dull and not at all what she trained for. Elizabeth, with her knack for seeing hidden potential, pulls Donna into their little world of investigations.

The calm atmosphere of Coopers Chase shatters when real crime arrives at their doorstep. Plans to sell off Cooper Chase spark conflict between co-owners Ian Ventham and Tony Curran. Tony opposes the plan and vows to protect the residents’ homes. But before long, Tony is found murdered in his house. The police discovered he was killed by blunt force trauma, but the murder weapon is missing.

For Joyce, this is her first real murder case, and she embraces it with the excitement of a beginner detective. The club begins to dig deeper, uncovering shady ties between Tony, Ian, and a local crime boss, Bobby Tanner. Suspicion falls on Ian after his heated argument with Tony, but before answers surface, Ian dies from a fentanyl overdose during a protest.

Attention then shifts to Ron’s son Jason, who once worked with Tony. Jason is arrested, though the evidence against him is weak. With Joyce’s daughter lending a hand, the Thursday Murder Club begins tracing financial transactions that reveal corruption, power struggles, and secrets buried in the very foundation of Coopers Chase.

Elizabeth forms a quiet but dangerous alliance with Bogdan, a Polish handyman, whose knowledge reveals connections to an old unsolved case. This adds another layer of intrigue, blurring the line between their hobby and real detective work.

By now, it is clear. The Thursday Murder Club is no longer just a tea-time activity. They are in the middle of a real storm, risking their lives to uncover truths that the police might miss.

Cast and Performance

Helen Mirren as Elizabeth

Helen brought the boss lady vibe to Thursday Murder Club, with her fashionable dressing and a gut feeling she never ignores. She was the only one who would not agree to back off even when she stood face to face with the murderer. At no point in the movie did it feel she was acting. Her performance was incredible, how she managed to stay fearless and romantic in such a graceful manner, made my heart float.

Ben Kingsley as Ibrahim

Ben Kingsley’s portrayal of Ibrahim was unforgettable. Playing a retired psychiatrist, he brought depth and intelligence to the group. His quiet presence balanced the louder personalities. Every word he spoke carried weight, as though he had analyzed every outcome before speaking. He felt authentic, a true professional turned retiree who still had much to give.

Pierce Brosnan as Ron

Pierce Brosnan gave the movie its most comic spark. Ron was feisty, outspoken, and often the one to make me laugh in tense moments. Pierce has always had a natural charm, but here it turned into humor that brightened the darker edges of the story. His timing was impeccable, and without him, the comedy half of this comedy-crime film would have fallen flat.

Celia Imrie as Joyce

The moment I saw her mischievous smile, I knew Celia would be a character I would love. Celia brought joy and heart to the Thursday Murder Club, with her warm smile and nice cakes; her character eased the feeling of danger the plot tried to portray. One minute I’m watching the movie and thinking, didn’t two people just die? And then Celia would appear on the screen with a bubbling enthusiasm for solving the case alongside Helen. A wonderful duo if you ask me.

Naomi Ackie as DC De Freitas

Naomi Ackie played Donna with confidence. At first, her character seemed lost, struggling to find meaning in her job. But as the film went on, her presence became stronger. She transitioned beautifully from playful banter to serious detective work.

What I Liked About Thursday Murder Club

Honestly, it feels tempting to say I loved everything about this film. It gave exactly what it promised. If you enjoyed Enola Holmes, imagine that, but with four elderly heroes solving crimes instead of one young detective.

What stood out most for me was the theme of family. Many of the residents spoke about children who rarely visited. That loneliness was portrayed subtly, yet it gave the film emotional weight. The Thursday Murder Club was more than just a club. It was a family for those who had lost that sense of connection.

The protest scene touched me deeply. Watching elderly men and women stand together against threats to their homes was powerful. It showed that community is not about age, it is about unity.

I also loved the risk the producers took by building a cast around aged actors. Too often, stories sideline the elderly. Here, they led the plot, carried the weight of the mystery, and reminded us that wit, courage, and humor do not fade with age.

What I Didn’t Like About Thursday Murder Club

You know, when I love a movie and I do not see any fault with it, I would always not like the marketing, but I’d be lying if I said I didn’t. I mean it sat on the top 2 most viewed movies on Netflix for weeks.

But for honesty’s sake, not to break any hearts, I did not like the pacing, it felt slow and all over the place. Maybe if things were sped up a bit, most important sections of the movie would not have been delivered based on assumptions, my assumptions.

Verdict

Here lies my humble verdict on Thursday Murder Club: if you enjoyed Nonnas, you will definitely love TMC. It has a plot that the whole family can enjoy today; no parental guidance is needed. I highly recommend seeing it as a family.

The Thursday Murder Club highlights the gray areas where family connections are failing. There are exceptional casts you would love to understand, and I am sure you would find a bit of your parents in them.

My Rating

I am rating The Thursday Murder Club a 4 out of 5.

Our Rating

Seen Thursday Murder Club yet? What did you enjoy most about it?

Author

Amarachi Ndukwe
Amarachi Ndukwe is a talented movie reviewer who knows how to make films easy to understand and fun to discuss. She shares her thoughts in a clear and engaging way, helping her readers see what makes each movie special. With a great eye for detail, she explains stories, themes, and characters in a way that anyone can enjoy.