‘Thursday Murder Club’ streamlines the novel, but fans will enjoy the company of the cast

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I felt a burst of joy upon learning that Richard Osman’s 2020 mystery novel “The Thursday Murder Club” was set for screen adaptation, as it’s always exciting when beloved works gain attention from a broader audience. Yet, despite the book’s massive success – over 10 million copies sold – it still feels like a personal discovery to me. Whether it will be excellent remains to be seen, but that can wait.

The film adaptation of the book, premiering on Netflix this Thursday, sticks closely to the original but with some streamlining, simplification, and softening. It boasts an exceptionally fitting cast that seems tailor-made for their roles, yet faces the challenge of condensing its complex plot and numerous human elements into just two hours (precisely two hours, it seems).

This revised version maintains a faithful adaptation while making adjustments to better suit the constraints of a two-hour film. The well-chosen cast almost gives the impression that the characters were specifically written with them in mind, but it also necessitates compressing and simplifying some aspects of the intricate narrative and human dynamics.

The story unfolds in Coopers Chase, a seemingly lavish retirement community located in southern England, which I hadn’t initially envisioned as such, and where llamas are not part of the picture. In this community, we encounter four distinct residents who share an intriguing pastime: they gather weekly, on Thursdays specifically, to delve into unsolved homicides with the ambition of cracking these cases themselves. They’re missing one essential element for their detective work – a podcast platform.

In simpler and more conversational terms:

Elizabeth Best, portrayed by Helen Mirren, takes charge as a no-nonsense, smart woman with experience in international affairs beyond diplomacy. Ron Ritchie, also known as “Red Ron” due to his union organizer past, is another member. Ibrahim Arif, formerly a psychiatrist, rounds out the group. There’s also Joyce Meadowcroft, a newcomer who used to be a nurse and loves baking cakes so much she distributes them. Interestingly, Joyce joins their club as a temporary member after Elizabeth’s friend Penny goes into a coma in the hospice wing. One question left unanswered by the film is how these individuals manage to afford living there, given that it seems more luxurious than even the nicest retirement homes I’ve seen. It’s a lavish setting, to say the least!

The story begins as the village is under threat by Ian Ventham (David Tennant), a fellow owner with selfish ambitions, who plans to transform the church, cemetery, and surrounding lands into high-end apartments and event spaces respectively. This pits him against his business partner Tony Curran (Geoff Bell), who has a questionable past but remains intriguing like classic British comedy villains. Their animosity is often shown prior to one’s death in a murder mystery. When Curran tragically meets his end, the possibility of investigating an authentic murder invigorates Joyce so much that she rouses her new companions for an “urgent gathering” – “Isn’t it thrilling?” she exclaims.

The Club gains a supporting member in the form of police officer Donna De Freitas, portrayed by Naomi Ackie. She’s brought on board to provide insider information, but it’s also clear that she yearns for more than just giving safety lectures to seniors and serving coffee to detectives – this is how she initially crosses paths with the group. The kind-hearted nature of these individuals is another reason they take her under their wing.

Accompanying Donna is her superior, inspector Chris Hudson, played by Daniel Mays. His character expresses a comical frustration in a familiar manner. Joining the cast are Bogdan Jankowski, a Polish immigrant working for Ventham, and Ron’s son Jason, a former boxing champion who now earns a living on reality TV due to an injury.

Before becoming an author, Osman had experience working both in front of and behind the camera for British panel and competition shows. Richard E. Grant makes a chilling appearance, adding an element of danger that was previously missing from the film. Jonathan Pryce portrays Elizabeth’s husband, Stephen, who is no longer in the early stages of dementia. The scenes between him, Elizabeth, and Bogdan, who becomes a chess partner, are skillfully executed without resorting to excessive sentimentality.

The story, with numerous central characters, tends to be hinted and somewhat bare in the adaptation, but comes alive through the actors who manage to portray their characters effectively, even when the script is less explicit. There are more murders depicted in the book compared to what’s shown on screen. Brosnan, with his unwavering cinematic charm and presence, seems an unusual selection for his role, as he himself admitted: “I thought, ‘This should be Ray Winstone’,” regarding his casting as the rugged and combative Ron. However, his allure is undeniable, making him a pleasure to watch. He was, after all, James Bond.

Joyce’s diaries significantly contribute to the book, offering readers a glimpse into her perspective as she navigates a tale encompassing friendship and rejuvenation. Unfortunately, this intimate quality seems absent from the film (perhaps if they had given her narration duties). Her affection for small details is conveyed through Imrie’s lively portrayal, which includes quirky idiosyncrasies, such as bringing a coffee machine to an outdoor protest (“good coffee means we can protest longer”) and complimenting Elizabeth on her jumper upon their arrival at the police station in disguise.

Joyce exclaims, “This is incredibly thrilling!” She then compares our situation to a weekly drama series featuring two clever, tenacious elderly detective women who consistently outwit the police. Elizabeth responds firmly, “Please avoid using terms like ‘elderly detective women’ in my presence.

I recently watched “Thursday Murder Club,” written by comedian Katy Brand and Suzanne Heathcote (Season 3 showrunner on “Killing Eve”) and directed by Chris Columbus. Known for his blockbuster hits like “Home Alone,” “Mrs. Doubtfire,” and the initial “Harry Potter” films, Columbus delivers a straightforward take on this adaptation. The direction doesn’t exactly add depth or suspense to the storyline, but it efficiently gets the job done. The film isn’t particularly nuanced, yet it manages to maintain an enjoyable atmosphere that keeps you engaged.

In fact, I found myself drawn less to the mystery and more to the delightful company of the characters – this aspect mirrors the novels, which consist of five books with the upcoming release of “The Impossible Fortune.” The cast brings their unique personas to life in a charming display that keeps you entertained for two hours. While some plot solutions might seem illogical or lessen the intrigue of certain motivations, the charm and camaraderie among the characters make up for it.

But read the books.

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2025-08-27 21:31