‘The Thursday Murder Club’ Review – 4 Icons + Murder = A Satisfying Whodunit

Let’s get it out of the way about Netflix’s The Thursday Murder Club: when you put four iconic performers on screen together—at any age—you’re guaranteed an enjoyable movie experience. When you have a James Bond, a Queen Elizabeth, a Calendar Girl, and a peacemaking revolutionary, exceptions can be made. Who cares if there are obvious plot holes that the talented cast leap over? Pierce Brosnan, Helen Mirren, Ben Kingsley, and Celia Imrie share excellent chemistry, even if the script feels like a knock-off USA Network inspiration.

The story follows the residents of Coopers Chase, a senior living residence for older adults. The facility sits in the middle of one of the wealthiest British estates imaginable—the kind of community where no one cares about the price of anything. Frankly, you can almost smell the taxes in every blade of freshly cut grass. The residents are wealthy and esteemed, but even with their means, the only proper cure for loneliness is good company.

You have Ron (Brosnan), a former union head, who clashes with the retired psychiatrist, Ibrahim (Kingsley). Then there’s Joyce (Imrie), so devoted to her oven you’d think she’s training for a coveted spot on The Great British Bake Off. But she’s soon approached by Elizabeth (Mirren), a former chief of the legendary MI6, who invites her to join Ron and Ibrahim as part of the Thursday Murder Club. They solve grisly murders in their golden years. With Joyce’s background as a nurse, her anatomical knowledge makes her the group’s ideal medical expert. By default, creating a duo that’s practically a “Sherlock Nursing Holmes.” (Insert Fozzie Bear crickets reaction GIF.)

Based on Richard Osman’s international bestseller of the same name, The Thursday Murder Club is directed by veteran filmmaker Chris Columbus. Working from a script by Katy Brand (Good Luck to You, Leo Grande) and Suzanne Heathcote (Killing Eve), the film is family-friendly to a degree. Columbus does an excellent job juggling the ensemble cast, which also features strong supporting turns from David Tennant, Jonathan Pryce, Naomi Ackie, and Richard E. Grant.

The experience is a warm and cozy Knives Out, minus the satire and edge, and instead includes positive messaging. A character-driven and relatable offering, a delightful slice of genre entertainment with humor, heart, and murder—all the makings of a satisfying whodunit.

The Thursday Murder Club is worth watching because Chris Columbus and the talented cast balance charm, wit, and mystery in a crowded, often overstuffed genre. The film delivers light, mainstream entertainment while also exploring the value of older adults. This is a refreshing spin on classic detective whodunit storytelling. Yes, you have four legendary performers, who are all iconic, so the standard may be set too high for some. I usually find movies aimed at this demographic patronizing or condescending.

For instance, a film like Book Club was so shallow in its portrayal of weathered characters that it made me want to give up reading altogether. A crowd-pleaser like The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel tried to highlight the attributes of its seasoned characters but ultimately stumbled into the white savior trope. The movie Poms seemed to be made just for adult children to take their mothers and grandmothers out to the theater on Mother’s Day. Finally, with The Thursday Murder Club, studios have adapted source material that does its target demographic proud. How? By simply being a good movie, plain and simple.

You can stream The Thursday Murder Club exclusively on Netflix starting August 28th.