In a different wording: The label “OAP,” or Old Age Pensioner, essentially signifies elderliness, and can feel like emphasizing someone’s later years in life three times. Contrastingly, The Thursday Murder Club is not an exclusive social club, but instead, a group of four individuals residing in a retirement home who pool their expertise to unravel cold cases that have remained unsolved for years. This ensemble includes Ron (played by Pierce Brosnan), a retired union representative; Ibrahim (portrayed by Ben Kingsley), a retired psychologist; Joyce (Celia Imrie), a retired nurse; and led by Elizabeth (Helen Mirren), whose initial profession is not immediately disclosed, but it’s clear that there’s more to her than meets the eye.
Every Thursday, the group gathers not for an illicit act like murder, but rather to scrutinize intricate details of cold, unsolved cases. The first case they tackle is about a woman who fell from a window with a knife in her back. However, their investigation skills are swiftly directed towards their own premises when the property developer, Ian Ventham (played by the charismatic David Tennant), who owns the grounds of their retirement home, and his building contractor are found murdered. Despite the local police led by a typical inept inspector (Daniel Mays), they decide to step in and solve it themselves, drawing the inspector’s female assistant (Naomi Ackie) into their efforts as well. The investigation uncovers a Pandora’s box filled with fugitives wanted for years, secret graves, and human trafficking as the film builds towards its climax and the ultimate revelation.
The movie is based on Richard Osman’s first novel, who is a versatile personality having worked as a TV executive before becoming known for hosting quiz shows, podcasting, and now writing bestselling books, particularly in the cozy crime genre, which has been popular for decades, like Midsommer Murders. With Spielberg’s production company optioning it, this film is a polished, star-studded production featuring a top-notch cast of four actors, with additional support from other recognizable names and faces. Notably, Jonathan Pryce plays Elizabeth’s husband, who has Alzheimer’s disease and delivers some deeply moving scenes as he grapples with his memory loss.
Led by Chris Columbus, known for his knack with ensemble films (having directed the first two Harry Potter movies), his style fits perfectly with this kind of murder mystery. As is customary in Agatha Christie’s all-star film adaptations, part of the enjoyment lies in figuring out who is committing murders and why. In many classic Christie novels, the audience is left in the dark about certain details, and it’s only through leaked information from Naomie Ackie’s character PC that the Thursday Murder Club learns more than they should. This revelation, which could potentially implicate her for misconduct or worse, allows the group to crack the case.
The four main actors deliver enjoyable performances, despite their apparently lavish retirement home pensions. However, it’s Helen Mirren who has most of the dialogue, followed by Pierce Brosnan who’s made notable films after his Bond days. Kingsley’s part is limited and underutilizes such a talented actor as Celia Imrie, another renowned comic actress and national treasure. Her character’s medical expertise seems to be from an era where listening to someone’s chest for a brief moment before declaring them dead is reminiscent of only the most basic investigative skills displayed by Mays police inspector, who also fails to pursue crucial leads effectively for the case.
The Thursday Murder Club seems poised to captivate readers alike, as its intricate storytelling keeps audiences on their toes until the last page. This suspenseful structure is likely to propel Osman’s future works onto the big and small screens.
Here’s The Thursday Murder Club trailer….
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2025-08-22 10:24