Review: The Thursday Murder Club
I watched The Thursday Murder Club on Netflix last night, and it really is what I’d call comfort viewing – think cups of tea, slices of cake, and a murder or two on the side.
The critics have been tough on it, but I’m not convinced they remembered what Richard Osman’s novel was in the first place. It was never meant to be gritty crime. It was warm, witty, and just a bit mischievous – and that’s exactly what the film gives us.
Do You Need to Read the Book First?
No. The story works without it. You get the idea straight away: four friends in a retirement village solving crimes while life carries on around them.
Is It Better Than the Book?
Definitely not. The novel was a phenomenon – more than ten million copies sold, record-breaking releases, and a whole series that readers adore. Condensing that into two hours was always going to be an uphill battle.
Character Review
Helen Mirren, Celia Imrie, and Ben Kingsley are wonderful.
Pierce Brosnan has a good go at being Ron, but he was not convincing at all — I kept wondering why it wasn’t Ray Winstone in the role. Even Alan Ford would’ve been a brilliant shout. As it is, we got something not quite as bad as a Dick Van Dyke cockney accent… but not far off.
Ben Kingsley was especially good — dry, understated, and totally believable. Helen Mirren delivered as usual, but the sharpness that defines Elizabeth in the book felt diluted in the film. Celia Imrie was strong throughout — grounded, natural, and totally believable.
The police scenes really stood out — the tone, the pacing, and the casting were spot on.
As for David Tennant as the scheming developer — no, no, no. Really odd casting. He’s good, just not right for that role. Jake Wood would’ve nailed it. Gary Webster too. Arguably, you could’ve switched some of those roles around — there were actors in bit parts who could’ve easily handled something bigger.
Final Thoughts
No adaptation of such a successful book was ever going to please everyone. The book is still the stronger experience. But as a cosy whodunnit, it’s a really good effort.