The Thursday Murder Club – Review | Netflix (3/5)

THE THURSDAY MURDER CLUB on Netflix is a new crime movie based on the book by Richard Osman and with a stellar cast. This really was such a fun and life-affirming watch, so I hope we’ll get at least one sequel. Read our full The Thursday Murder Club movie review here!

THE THURSDAY MURDER CLUB is a new Netflix movie based on the Richard Osman book. It’s a murder mystery, so we’re dealing with the crime and thriller genres, but it also has a delicious amount of comedy. I just enjoyed watching this movie so much.

The runtime is just shy of two hours, and that suited the story of this movie perfectly. Nothing is rushed nor too slow. Also, that cast is to die for… though that almost feels wrong to say, I hope they’ll all stay around for a few more decades – and sequels!

Continue reading our The Thursday Murder Club movie review below. Find it on Netflix from August 28, 2025.

The four crime-solving retirees

In The Thursday Murder Club, it is all about true crime. Not watching documentaries or listening to podcasts, but picking up real-life cold cases and trying to solve them. That’s the task the members of this club have taken upon themselves.

The Thursday Murder Club consists of four irrepressible retirees who live in the same location with other retirees. A very luxurious resort for senior citizens, you could call it. I could certainly get by on less, and truly, the point of the movie is their friendship.

The four retirees solving crime are Elizabeth (Helen Mirren), Ron (Pierce Brosnan), Ibrahim (Ben Kingsley), and newcomer Joyce (Celia Imrie). In fact, Joyce moves in at the beginning of this movie and is “just” a guest in the club, but she will soon prove her worth.

So many amazing actors in every role

While the club is about solving cold case murders, they suddenly find their skills are needed on a new case. An unexplained death happens in their midst, and now they have a real “whodunit” on their hands.

Yes, this is very much like Only Murders in the Building, and I love that series as well. Also, they differ plenty to have room for both. What the two do have in common are stellar core casts and amazing supporting characters portrayed by very familiar faces.

The Thursday Murder Club has Naomi Ackie (Mickey 17) and Daniel Mays (White Lines) as police officers, while David Tennant, Tom Ellis (Lucifer), Jonathan Pryce, Paul Freeman (Raiders of the Lost Ark), and Richard E. Grant also all play key roles!

One is not nearly enough

I recognize that I’m gushing all over The Thursday Murder Club, but I just love seeing a movie where the qualities of senior citizens are at the forefront. Not as nagging “old people” but as a resource that still has so much to offer.

They’ve been around and seen a thing or two. Unfortunately, many of them are also seeing things happen again that we all swore we would “never forget,” but that’s part of the luxury of growing old; You see things happen again and again… from fashion to wars.

Maybe even see yourself become the villain. And no, that’s not a spoiler, but more of a comment on how some people forget the good in life and focus on the bad. With The Thursday Murder Club, we see the importance of friendship, knowledge, and having fun.

I need at least one sequel and would gladly see The Thursday Murder Club turn into an actual franchise. Just like Knives Out, and with this core cast, I can’t imagine it would be difficult to attach other amazing stars to a sequel.

Watch The Thursday Murder Club on Netflix

The director of The Thursday Murder Club is Chris Columbus, and just seeing his name at the beginning of any movie puts me at ease. I just know it will be something that entertains and will probably leave me in a better mood once the end credits begin.

In case you need a reminder, Chris Columbus has directed Home Alone, Mrs. Doubtfire, and Adventures in Babysitting (his debut). Also, he wrote genre movies such as The Goonies and Gremlins. I have watched all these many times, and am a huge fan.

Chris Columbus didn’t write this new Netflix movie, but that just means we got two other brilliant writers on board for that task: Katy Brand (Good Luck to You, Leo Grande) and Suzanne Heathcote (Killing Eve, Fear the Walking Dead, The Crowded Room).

As already mentioned earlier, this new Netflix movie is based on Richard Osman’s international bestselling novel of the same name. I have not read it, but it is being added to my list of books I want to read.

I need something that entertains and may be dark, but also celebrates life. That is exactly what this movie delivers on!

THE THURSDAY MURDER CLUB is out on Netflix from August 28, 2025.

Details

Director: Chris Columbus
Screenplay: Katy Brand & Suzanne Heathcote
Cast: Helen Mirren, Pierce Brosnan, Ben Kingsley, Celia Imrie, Naomi Ackie, Daniel Mays, Henry Lloyd-Hughes, Tom Ellis, Jonathan Pryce, David Tennant, Paul Freeman, Geoff Bell, Richard E. Grant, Ingrid Oliver