--- title: "The Thursday Murder Club" year: 2025 kind: "film" canonical: "https://film.one/film/the-thursday-murder-club" fi1m_id: "the-thursday-murder-club" imdb_id: "tt12001534" tmdb_id: 744653 wikidata_id: "Q125622191" fi1m_score: 57 critics_score: 62 critics_reviews: 6 published: "2026-09-09" updated: "2026-09-18T08:37:49.559995+00:00" region: "PH" licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL." --- # The Thursday Murder Club (2025) Directed by Chris Columbus · 1h 58m · Comedy, Mystery, Crime ## Identity The Thursday Murder Club - **Canonical:** https://film.one/film/the-thursday-murder-club - **Type:** Film - **Fi1m ID:** the-thursday-murder-club - **IMDb ID:** tt12001534 - **TMDB ID:** 744653 - **Wikidata ID:** Q125622191 - **Same entity:** https://www.imdb.com/title/tt12001534/, https://www.themoviedb.org/movie/744653, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q125622191 **Fi1m score: 57** · Critics 62 from 6 reviews *In a sentence:* Nobody in this village is frightened of the murderer, and after twenty minutes neither were we > Chris Columbus gives Richard Osman’s retirees a cast most directors would wait a career for and then forgets to make the murder matter. Mirren, Brosnan, Kingsley and Imrie are excellent company; the mystery they are solving is not. ## Synopsis Four residents of Coopers Chase, a retirement village of croquet lawns and warm stone, meet every Thursday to go over murders the police gave up on. Elizabeth (Helen Mirren) will not say what she used to do for a living. Ron (Pierce Brosnan) was a union man and still argues like one. Ibrahim (Ben Kingsley) was a psychiatrist and keeps the files. Joyce (Celia Imrie), a former nurse, has just moved in and writes it all down. When the developer Ian (David Tennant) announces plans for the site and his business partner is found dead, the club finds itself with a live case and a police constable, Donna De Freitas (Naomi Ackie), who did not intend to be recruited. Chris Columbus directs from Richard Osman’s novel. ## Review Four residents of Coopers Chase, a retirement village with more lawn than most county towns, meet every Thursday to go over cold cases the police have filed and forgotten. Then a man is killed a short walk from their front doors, and the case is suddenly warm. Chris Columbus has adapted Richard Osman’s novel with a cast most directors would wait a career for, and he has made a pleasant, tidy, inert 118 minutes. It is agreeable company. It is not much of a murder mystery. The company is the point, and it is good. Helen Mirren plays Elizabeth, who declines to say what she did before she retired and does not need to; she asks questions in a tone that assumes the answer is already on its way. Pierce Brosnan’s Ron, a retired union man in a tracksuit, treats every conversation as a picket line and is having the best time of anyone on screen. Ben Kingsley’s Ibrahim, a psychiatrist, keeps the files and corrects people’s grammar. Celia Imrie’s Joyce, a former nurse and the newest member, narrates into her diary and is the one the film trusts us to like first. Their scenes together have the ease of people who have been famous for forty years and no longer need to prove it. The case is where the trouble starts. David Tennant’s Ian wants to build on part of the site, his partner Tony Curran (Geoff Bell) is found dead, and Naomi Ackie’s PC Donna De Freitas, who came to give a talk on window locks, is quietly adopted by the club and put to work behind the back of Daniel Mays’s DCI Chris Hudson. The screenplay by Suzanne Heathcote and Katy Brand lines up suspects, including Richard E. Grant’s Bobby Tanner and Henry Lloyd-Hughes’s builder Bogdan, and the club interviews them one at a time, with tea between. Nobody is ever in danger. Nobody behaves as if they might be. Somewhere around the forty-minute mark we realised we did not mind who had done it, and the film gave us no reason to change our minds. Columbus shoots it as if for a large and comfortable television. Don Burgess lights the village like the brochure Ian would hand out: every lawn green, every room full of late-afternoon sun, not a shadow anywhere for a body to fall into. James Merifield’s sets are handsome, warm stone and long windows and a room given over entirely to jigsaws, and none of them ever feels lived in by anyone with a secret. Thomas Newman’s score plucks and skips under every scene, announcing that this is all good fun a beat before anything funny has happened. Dan Zimmerman cuts each scene off the moment its point is made, which keeps the film moving and denies a murder mystery the one thing it needs, which is time to make us uneasy. Joanna Johnston’s costumes do more characterisation than some of the dialogue: Elizabeth’s tailored coats and silk scarves tell you who she was before the script gets round to hinting. There is one scene that is about something. Jonathan Pryce plays Stephen, Elizabeth’s husband, whose memory is going, and in their flat he puts a record on and they dance. For two minutes the film is about what it is actually about, which is people who have less time left than they had and know it. It moved us more than we expected. Pryce plays a man who understands what is happening to him about a third of the time, and Mirren lets us see what it costs her to keep step with him and say nothing. Then it cuts back to the case, and the case is still not interesting. Columbus made [*Home Alone*](https://film.one/film/home-alone) (1990) and *Mrs Doubtfire* (1993), films that knew how to build a set piece and how long to hold it. Here the set pieces are conversations in armchairs, and he holds them for exactly as long as the plot requires. The novel’s jokes sat next to its funerals; the film keeps the funerals brief and the jokes soft, and it is the softness that does the damage. A cosy mystery still needs a corpse that counts. Watch it at home on a Sunday with someone who has read the book and will tell you what has been left out. It carries a 12A, runs 118 minutes, and is precisely as dangerous as that suggests. *Fi1m score 57, published 9 September 2026.* ## What the critics say The reviews split widely on The Thursday Murder Club, though nearly all of them agree on the cast. Most critics find Helen Mirren, Pierce Brosnan, Ben Kingsley and Celia Imrie good company, and the warmer notices treat the film as a pleasant, low-stakes cosy whodunnit that does what it sets out to do. The reservations cluster around the adaptation itself: the novel’s plotting is streamlined, its material on mortality thinned out, and several critics say the result feels closer to Sunday-night television than to a film, with Chris Columbus’s direction described as clean but flat. The dissent is sharp rather than mild. The i Paper calls it a disaster that fails the books, NME finds it boring and un-cinematic, and Empire objects to a patronising view of ageing. The Times is the notable outlier at the other end, praising the camp tone and a quietly sad undercurrent. Readers of the book are repeatedly warned to expect less than they remember. ## Straight answers **Is The Thursday Murder Club worth watching?** *The Thursday Murder Club* is pleasant company but a weak murder mystery, and we scored it 57. Helen Mirren, Pierce Brosnan, Ben Kingsley and Celia Imrie are easy to spend two hours with, but the case they are solving never matters and nobody on screen seems in any danger. Watch it for the cast, not the crime. **How long is The Thursday Murder Club, and what is it rated?** *The Thursday Murder Club* runs 1h 58m. It is a comedy and mystery film. **Where can I watch The Thursday Murder Club in the Philippines?** *The Thursday Murder Club* is streaming on Netflix in the Philippines. Availability is checked daily; the links above go straight to each service. **How violent or frightening is The Thursday Murder Club, and is it suitable for children?** *The Thursday Murder Club* is a 12A and about as gentle as a murder mystery can be. A man is found dead, but the film never dwells on it, nobody is put at risk, and there is nothing here to frighten a child or unsettle the squeamish. The one moment with real weight is a quiet scene about a husband's failing memory, which some viewers may find sadder than any of the crime. **How does The Thursday Murder Club compare to Knives Out?** *The Thursday Murder Club* is the softer and slighter of the two, and [*Knives Out*](https://film.one/film/knives-out) is the better film by some distance. Both put a starry cast in handsome rooms and ask who did it, but Rian Johnson's script actually cares about the answer and builds its plot with care, while Chris Columbus lets his mystery drift between armchairs. Choose *Knives Out* if you want to be kept guessing; choose *The Thursday Murder Club* only for its company. **What should I watch after The Thursday Murder Club?** After *The Thursday Murder Club*, try [*Knives Out*](https://film.one/film/knives-out) (2019, Fi1m 81): A cast this starry, and a script that actually cares who did it. Then [*Only Murders in the Building*](https://film.one/tv/only-murders-in-the-building) (2021, Fi1m 76): Amateurs of a certain age solve a murder and the jokes are sharper; and [*The Ladykillers*](https://film.one/film/the-ladykillers) (1955, Fi1m 86): An old lady and a gang of crooks; Ealing did cosy crime with teeth. ### Reviews we read (18) - **The AV Club**, Caroline Siede (B): A charming, warm comedy elevated by its phenomenal cast of classically trained actors, which keeps the sprawling plot affable despite familiar elements. The ensemble's lively performances, especially Helen Mirren's, make it a pleasant watch worth returning to for potential sequels. [Read](https://www.avclub.com/the-thursday-murder-club-review) - **The Hollywood Reporter**, Caryn James (65/100, inferred): The film is a modestly entertaining but conventional cozy mystery that leans on its glittering cast and slight self-awareness to offset generic plotting and stock tropes. Pierce Brosnan is highlighted as the standout scene-stealer among the retirees. [Read](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-reviews/the-thursday-murder-club-review-helen-mirren-netflix-1236347291/) - **Empire**, Laura Venning: The critic calls the adaptation disappointing, with weak humour and twee elements that fail to land despite the cast. They single out the patronising portrayal of ageing and lack of perception as key flaws. [Read](https://www.empireonline.com/movies/reviews/the-thursday-murder-club/) - **Evening Standard**, Vicky Jessop: The critic finds the film a joyous, best-of-British romp with warmth and laughs, praising the stellar cast led by Mirren, Brosnan, Kingsley and Imrie. They single out the simplified storylines from the book and overly saccharine ending as drawbacks. [Read](https://www.standard.co.uk/culture/film/the-thursday-murder-club-review-helen-mirren-richard-osman-b1244068.html) - **Financial Times**, Danny Leigh (★★★☆☆): The critic sees the film as a solid but unremarkable star-laden adaptation of cosy crime that may not fully satisfy book fans. They single out the casting and Middle Englishness for note while questioning whether viewers will return for more. [Read](https://www.ft.com/content/b7ffdd12-8d7f-4aed-837b-afb9af9af816) - **Los Angeles Times**, Robert Lloyd: The streamlined film adaptation offers a fun cast in appropriate roles and fulfills its assignment as a pleasant, if not nuanced or suspenseful, two-hour diversion. Fans will enjoy the company but the book is recommended for more depth. [Read](https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/tv/story/2025-08-27/thursday-murder-club-review-richard-osman-netflix) - **Radio Times**, David Brown (★★★☆☆): The critic describes it as a safe and cosy whodunnit that feels more like a Sunday night TV drama than a film, thanks to clean but unremarkable direction by Chris Columbus. It benefits from an exemplary cast and some fleeting touches of pathos on belonging and mortality. [Read](https://www.radiotimes.com/app/the-thursday-murder-club-review-a-safe-and-cosy-whodunnit-with-touches-of-pathos/) - **The Guardian**, Peter Bradshaw: The critic finds much to enjoy in this funny and likable Netflix adaptation of the bestseller but calls it slightly bland and undemanding overall. They single out the senior-citizen X-Men dynamic of the club and its self-aware gags for praise. [Read](https://www.theguardian.com/film/2025/aug/22/the-thursday-club-review-richard-osman-bestseller-provides-solid-star-stuffed-entertainment) - **The i Paper**, Francesca Steele: The critic deems the film a disaster that fails to do justice to the books, with lacklustre acting and a limp script that never nails its tone. They single out the simplified plotlines and awkward direction as major issues. [Read](https://inews.co.uk/culture/film/thursday-murder-club-netflix-review-best-british-cast-still-disaster-3868288) - **The New York Times**, Glenn Kenny: The adaptation clicks thanks to its excellent casting of Helen Mirren, Pierce Brosnan, Ben Kingsley and Celia Imrie as the retirees solving crimes. The film benefits from the charming quirks and skills the characters bring to the cozy whodunit. [Read](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/08/28/movies/the-thursday-murder-club-review.html) - **The Times**, Kevin Maher (★★★★☆): The critic praises the camp tone, Helen Mirren’s ironic performance, and the film’s blend of comedy with a quietly sad undercurrent about ageing and death. They single out the dance sequence with Mirren and Pryce as the film’s most meaningful moment. [Read](https://www.thetimes.com/culture/film/article/the-thursday-murder-club-film-review-helen-mirren-pierce-brosnan-dbc5fkxtg) - **Time Out**, Phil de Semlyen (3 out of 5 stars): The critic calls it a jovial, low-stakes cosy yarn with an upbeat vibe and fine ensemble performances, likening the retirement village setting to 'Hogwarts with dodgy knees'. It streamlines the novel's plot and emotional depth on mortality but remains enjoyable escapist fun. [Read](https://www.timeout.com/movies/the-thursday-murder-club-review-2025) - **Variety**, Manuel Betancourt: Chris Columbus's adaptation is an amiable and inoffensive contemporary whodunit of simple pleasures that banks on its familiar rhythms and game cast to entertain. It is a cozy, simple affair that neither challenges nor frustrates but passively amuses. [Read](https://variety.com/2025/film/reviews/the-thursday-murder-club-review-netflix-whodunit-1236495369/) - **Collider**, Maggie Lovitt (9/10): The critic praises the film as a delightfully charming cozy murder mystery with an impeccable cast that hits all the highs of the genre. They single out the ensemble performances, particularly how the older actors lead the story effectively. [Read](https://collider.com/thursday-murder-club-review-netflix-pierce-brosnan-helen-mirren/) - **Deadline**, Pete Hammond (70/100, inferred): The critic finds it predictable but enjoyable comfort food perfect for streaming, praising the veteran all-star cast of Mirren, Brosnan, Kingsley, and Imrie as golden age royalty. [Read](https://deadline.com/2025/08/the-thursday-murder-club-review-helen-mirren-pierce-brosnan-1236496458/) - **NME**, Paul Bradshaw (30/100, inferred): The critic finds the Netflix adaptation pretty bad and dead boring, blaming director Chris Columbus's aggressively un-cinematic style and a thin, lifeless script that wastes a terrific cast on flat characters, flat jokes and a signposted plot. [Read](https://www.nme.com/reviews/film-reviews/the-thursday-murder-club-review-helen-mirren-pierce-brosnan-richard-osman-3885566) - **The Wrap** (30/100, inferred): The critic argues the film is too polished and prestigious, losing the quaint charm of cozy British mysteries in favor of lavish production and famous names, resulting in a flavorless plot machine. [Read](https://www.thewrap.com/thursday-murder-club-review-netflix/) - **Paste**, Lacy Baugher Milas (8.5): The review highlights the stacked cast elevating a delightful cozy mystery, praising the vibrant older characters and their friendships. It notes it's not groundbreaking but charming and focused on later-in-life stories. [Read](https://www.pastemagazine.com/movies/netflix/the-thursday-murder-club-review) ## Details - **Director:** Chris Columbus - **Director:** Chris Columbus - **Screenplay:** Katy Brand, Suzanne Heathcote - **Cinematography:** Don Burgess - **Editor:** Dan Zimmerman - **Music:** Thomas Newman - **Production design:** James Merifield - **Costume design:** Joanna Johnston - **Producer:** Jennifer Todd, Chris Columbus - **Cast:** Helen Mirren as Elizabeth; Pierce Brosnan as Ron; Ben Kingsley as Ibrahim; Celia Imrie as Joyce; David Tennant as Ian; Jonathan Pryce as Stephen; Naomi Ackie as Donna De Freitas; Daniel Mays as Chris Hudson - **Runtime:** 1h 58m - **Release (the Philippines):** 28 August 2025 - **Genres:** Comedy, Mystery, Crime - **Trailer:** https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=50DYgzRBhFA ## Where to watch in the Philippines - Netflix: streaming *Checked 2026-09-10.* Also available in: AE, AR, AT, AU, AZ, BE, BG, BR, CA, CH, CL, CO, CZ, DE, DK, EC, EE, ES, FI, FR, GB, GR, HK, HR, HU, ID, IE, IL, IN, IS, IT, JP, KR, LT, MX, MY, NL, NO, NZ, PA, PE, PH, PL, PT, RO, RS, SE, SG, SI, SK, TH, TR, UA, US, VN, ZA. Add `?region=XX` to this URL for another country. ## If you liked this - *Knives Out* (2019), Fi1m 81: A cast this starry, and a script that actually cares who did it. — [Fi1m page](https://film.one/film/knives-out.md) - *Only Murders in the Building* (2021), Fi1m 76: Amateurs of a certain age solve a murder and the jokes are sharper. — [Fi1m page](https://film.one/tv/only-murders-in-the-building.md) - *The Ladykillers* (1955), Fi1m 86: An old lady and a gang of crooks; Ealing did cosy crime with teeth. — [Fi1m page](https://film.one/film/the-ladykillers.md) - *Lucky Grandma* (2019): A pensioner in Chinatown takes on gangsters and is far more frightening than they are. - *Gosford Park* (2001), Fi1m 85: Altman’s country-house murder, where the servants know everything and say nothing. — [Fi1m page](https://film.one/film/gosford-park.md) --- © Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Canonical: https://film.one/film/the-thursday-murder-club