Netflix’s The Thursday Murder Club, which premiered on August 28, 2025, has taken the streaming world by storm, earning a rare 90% Rotten Tomatoes score and sparking a frenzy among fans and critics alike. Adapted from Richard Osman’s 2020 bestselling novel, this British crime comedy, directed by Chris Columbus, transforms the sleepy retirement village of Coopers Chase into a hotbed of secrets, betrayal, and murder. Starring Helen Mirren, Pierce Brosnan, Ben Kingsley, and Celia Imrie as four irrepressible retirees turned amateur sleuths, the film delivers a deliciously twisted whodunit that has viewers side-eying their sweetest neighbors. With a star-studded cast, a labyrinthine plot, and a jaw-dropping twist that outshines even the Knives Out franchise, The Thursday Murder Club blends cozy charm with dark intrigue, making it Netflix’s most addictive murder mystery yet.

A Murder Mystery in a Quiet Village

The central narrative of The Thursday Murder Club revolves around four retirees—Elizabeth Best (Helen Mirren), Ron Ritchie (Pierce Brosnan), Ibrahim Arif (Ben Kingsley), and Joyce Meadowcroft (Celia Imrie)—who meet weekly in their upscale Coopers Chase retirement village to solve cold-case murders for fun. This quirky pastime, born from their fascination with death and their own mortality, takes a thrilling turn when a real murder lands on their doorstep. The death of shady property developer Ian Ventham (David Tennant) sets off a chain of violent events, pulling the quartet into a high-stakes investigation that exposes a web of secrets lurking behind the village’s lace curtains. From menacing florists to dubious business partners, everyone in Coopers Chase is a suspect, and the film’s twisted plot keeps viewers guessing until its shocking climax.

The story begins innocently enough, with Joyce, a former trauma nurse, joining the club after stumbling upon their cold-case sessions in the village’s jigsaw room. As a recent widow, Joyce’s baking skills (think lemon drizzle cakes) and keen observations earn her a spot alongside Elizabeth, a former spy with a steely edge; Ron, a gruff ex-union leader; and Ibrahim, a sharp-witted psychiatrist. When Ventham’s plan to redevelop Coopers Chase into luxury flats threatens the residents, his sudden death—initially ruled accidental—raises suspicions. The club, aided by local police officers DCI Chris Hudson (Daniel Mays) and WPC Donna de Freitas (Naomi Ackie), digs into the case, uncovering a trail of red herrings, hidden motives, and a decades-old secret that ties the murder to a 1970s cold case. The film’s climactic twist, which reveals the true killer as someone disarmingly close to the club, has fans on X raving, “I didn’t see THAT coming! Move over, Knives Out!”

A Star-Studded Cast Brings Cozy Chaos

The film’s greatest asset is its powerhouse cast, which elevates its cozy premise into a cinematic event. Helen Mirren, as the icily brilliant Elizabeth, channels her Prime Suspect gravitas while poking fun at her own regal persona—one scene has her husband, Stephen (Jonathan Pryce), quip, “You look like the Queen,” a nod to her Oscar-winning role in The Queen. Pierce Brosnan, shedding his James Bond polish, delivers a delightfully rough-edged Ron, whose working-class bravado hides a loyal heart. Ben Kingsley’s Ibrahim brings quiet wisdom and humor, while Celia Imrie’s Joyce steals scenes with her deceptively sweet demeanor and knack for uncovering clues between bites of sponge cake.

The supporting cast is equally impressive. David Tennant’s Ian Ventham is a slimy villain whose schemes set the plot in motion, while Naomi Ackie’s Donna, a young cop mentored by the club, adds emotional depth. Jonathan Pryce, as Elizabeth’s dementia-afflicted husband, delivers a poignant performance, while Richard E. Grant and Tom Ellis play shady business associates Bobby Tanner and Jason Ritchie, respectively. Ingrid Oliver, as Joyce’s daughter Joanna, and Daniel Mays, as the chocolate-obsessed DCI Hudson, round out a roster that feels like a who’s-who of British acting royalty. Director Chris Columbus, known for Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone, balances humor and heart, though some critics note the script by Katy Brand and Suzanne Heathcote could be sharper.

The Twist That Has Everyone Talking

The film’s standout feature is its shocking twist, unveiled in the final act, which redefines the cozy crime genre. Without spoiling, the reveal involves a betrayal so unexpected that it flips the narrative, exposing a killer hiding in plain sight. Fans on X have called it “diabolical” and “genius,” with one posting, “The Thursday Murder Club twist hit me harder than Knives Out. I’m still shook!” The twist ties the modern murder to a 1970s cold case the club was investigating, weaving together clues like Elizabeth’s spy past, Joyce’s medical expertise, and a long-buried secret about Coopers Chase itself. This layered plotting, paired with the retirees’ ability to use their age as a “superpower” of invisibility, makes the film both a playful riff on Agatha Christie and a poignant commentary on aging.

Columbus leaned into the thematic depth, noting, “These elderly sleuths are fascinated by death because they’re facing their own mortality, yet they’re so full of life. It’s comedic but deeply emotional.” The film doesn’t shy away from heavier themes—Stephen’s dementia and a subplot about assisted dying add weight to the otherwise lighthearted caper—but it never feels preachy, balancing tragedy with humor. Thomas Newman’s score, punctuated by T. Rex’s “Bang a Gong” and Cat Stevens’ “Oh Very Young,” enhances the nostalgic yet urgent tone, though some critics called the latter “too on-the-nose.”

Critical and Fan Reception

The Thursday Murder Club has earned near-universal praise, with its 90% Rotten Tomatoes score reflecting critics’ love for its charm and cast. Mashable called it “sensational” and “a crackling ensemble,” while MovieWeb praised its “delightful settings” and “incredible cast,” though noted it might work better as a series. The Guardian lauded its “ingenious” adaptation of Osman’s novel, likening the club to “senior-citizen X-Men,” but some, like Variety, found it “too cozy” and lacking the edge of Knives Out. On X, fans are more effusive, with one writing, “Helen Mirren and Pierce Brosnan solving murders? This is the cozy chaos I needed!” Another posted, “The twist in Thursday Murder Club is WILD. Netflix nailed this.”

The film’s viewership is a triumph, amassing 120 million hours in its first week, outpacing The Union (2024) but trailing Red Notice’s record. Its appeal lies in its accessibility—described as a “Sunday teatime drama” with broad, multigenerational draw—though some Knives Out fans on Reddit argue it lacks Rian Johnson’s sharp wit. The cozy crime trend, fueled by Only Murders in the Building and Death in Paradise, gives The Thursday Murder Club a ready audience, but its emotional depth sets it apart. The film’s exploration of aging, friendship, and resilience resonates, with one X user noting, “It’s not just a mystery—it’s about living fully, no matter your age.”

Netflix’s Strategic Win

Netflix’s bet on The Thursday Murder Club, produced by Steven Spielberg’s Amblin Entertainment, is a masterstroke in a competitive streaming landscape. With a $60 million budget—modest compared to The Gray Man’s $200 million—the film is a financial success, requiring only 100-120 million hours to break even. Its August 28 release, following a limited theatrical run on August 22, taps into the cozy mystery boom, capitalizing on the popularity of Osman’s book series, which has sold over 10 million copies across four novels (with a fifth due in 2026). Netflix’s acquisition in April 2024 and rapid production, wrapping by September 2024 at Shepperton Studios and Berkshire’s Englefield Estate, show its commitment to high-profile adaptations.

The film faces challenges, however. Some critics argue its “lightweight” script and predictable twists pale next to Knives Out’s polish, and its cozy tone may not sustain a franchise as Osman’s books do. Netflix’s history of canceling promising projects (Mindhunter) raises concerns, but the film’s viewership and Osman’s confirmation of sequel discussions suggest a follow-up is likely. The series’ potential as a limited series, rather than a single film, has also been floated, given the novel’s episodic structure.

Cultural Impact and Relevance

The Thursday Murder Club taps into a cultural moment, challenging stereotypes about aging by portraying retirees as sharp, resourceful, and vital. Its depiction of a retirement village as a hotbed of intrigue—where gossip spreads faster than the morning paper—resonates in an era of heightened community scrutiny. The film’s nod to assisted dying, though controversial, adds depth, reflecting real-world debates about autonomy and mortality. Osman’s inspiration, drawn from visiting a lively retirement village, grounds the story in authentic human dynamics, making its characters relatable despite their larger-than-life antics.

The film also benefits from its British charm, with Coopers Chase’s stately home aesthetic evoking Downton Abbey and Gosford Park. Its humor, from Joyce’s cake obsession to Elizabeth’s ban on the word “feisty,” lands well, though some American viewers on Reddit found the pacing “too slow” for a two-hour film. Still, its universal themes—friendship, purpose, and defying expectations—make it a global hit, with fans in the UK, US, and beyond clamoring for more.

Conclusion

The Thursday Murder Club is Netflix’s most twisted murder mystery yet, delivering a cozy yet cunning whodunit that outshines Knives Out with its heart and humor. Helen Mirren, Pierce Brosnan, Ben Kingsley, and Celia Imrie breathe life into a story of retirees who prove age is no barrier to cracking cases or stealing scenes. The film’s shocking twist, rooted in betrayal and buried secrets, has fans reeling, while its exploration of aging and community strikes a universal chord. As Netflix eyes a potential franchise, The Thursday Murder Club proves that behind every lace curtain lies a story worth telling—and a mystery worth solving. Whether you’re a cozy crime fan or a thriller junkie, this is one club you’ll want to join.