Mark your calendars for Thursday, August 28, 2025, when Netflix unveils The Thursday Murder Club, a highly anticipated film adaptation of Richard Osman’s bestselling novel. Directed by Chris Columbus, known for Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, this crime-comedy promises a delightful blend of humor, suspense, and heart. With a stellar cast, a gripping plot, and unexpected twists, the film is poised to captivate audiences worldwide. Here’s an in-depth look at the cast, plot, and tantalizing plot twists that make this Netflix-Amblin co-production a must-watch.
A Killer Cast of Veteran and Rising Stars
The film boasts an ensemble cast that reads like a who’s-who of acting royalty, bringing Osman’s quirky characters to life with impeccable flair. Leading the charge are four iconic actors portraying the titular Thursday Murder Club, a group of retirees turned amateur sleuths in the fictional Cooper’s Chase retirement village.
Helen Mirren as Elizabeth Best: Mirren, an Oscar-winning legend, plays Elizabeth, a former spy with a sharp mind and a knack for uncovering secrets. Her commanding presence and subtle wit make her the perfect fit for the group’s de facto leader. Mirren’s ability to balance gravitas with charm ensures Elizabeth is both formidable and endearing.
Pierce Brosnan as Ron Ritchie: Known for his suave James Bond persona, Brosnan takes on the role of Ron, a former trade union official with a fiery spirit and a penchant for rebellion. This role allows Brosnan to flex his comedic chops, offering a lighter, more mischievous side compared to his action-hero roots.
Ben Kingsley as Ibrahim Arif: The Oscar-winning Kingsley portrays Ibrahim, a retired psychiatrist with a keen understanding of human behavior. His nuanced performance promises to bring depth to Ibrahim’s analytical yet empathetic nature, making him a vital cog in the club’s investigative machine.
Celia Imrie as Joyce Meadowcroft: Imrie, a beloved British actress known for The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel, plays Joyce, a former nurse whose unassuming demeanor hides a sharp intellect and a knack for noticing details others miss. Imrie’s casting was confirmed after rumors linked names like Judi Dench to the role, and her warmth and humor are expected to shine.
The supporting cast is equally impressive, featuring a mix of established names and rising talents:
David Tennant as Ian Ventham: Tennant, known for Doctor Who and Good Omens, plays the shady businessman Ian Ventham, whose dealings set the plot in motion. His charismatic yet slippery performance is sure to keep audiences guessing about his true intentions.
Naomi Ackie, Jonathan Pryce, Daniel Mays, and Henry Lloyd-Hughes: Ackie, Pryce, Mays, and Lloyd-Hughes add further depth to the ensemble. Mays plays DCI Chris Hudson, a police detective, while Lloyd-Hughes takes on the fan-favorite role of Bogdan. Pryce and Ackie’s roles remain less detailed but are expected to be pivotal.
Richard E. Grant, Tom Ellis, Ingrid Oliver, and More: Grant plays a villainous character, adding menace to the mix, while Oliver, Osman’s wife, portrays Joyce’s daughter Joanna. Tom Ellis, Geoff Bell, Sarah Niles, and Paul Freeman round out the cast, bringing additional layers to the sprawling mystery.
Director Chris Columbus has called this “the best cast I’ve worked with since Potter,” highlighting their versatility and ability to balance humor, drama, and suspense. Filming, which took place from June 27 to September 11, 2024, at Shepperton Studios and locations like Beaconsfield and Theale, captured the quintessentially British setting of Kent’s fictional Fairhaven.
Plot: A Cozy Yet Thrilling Murder Mystery
Based on Richard Osman’s 2020 debut novel, The Thursday Murder Club follows four retirees—Elizabeth, Ron, Ibrahim, and Joyce—who meet weekly in their upscale retirement village to solve cold-case murders for fun. Their hobby takes a thrilling turn when a real murder occurs in their community, thrusting them into a live investigation. The official synopsis describes the film as a “whodunit with teeth—false ones, of course,” blending wit, suspense, and heartfelt moments.
Set in the luxurious Cooper’s Chase retirement village near the fictional Fairhaven in Kent, the story begins with the quartet’s routine sleuthing sessions. Their lives take a dramatic turn when a property developer is found dead under suspicious circumstances. Determined to crack the case, the group leverages their diverse backgrounds—Elizabeth’s espionage expertise, Ron’s street-smarts, Ibrahim’s psychological insights, and Joyce’s keen observations—to uncover secrets, interrogate suspects, and navigate danger. Their investigation intersects with the local police, including DCI Chris Hudson and his mother, Patrice (played by Sarah Niles), adding layers of camaraderie and conflict.
The film retains the novel’s quintessentially British tone, with references to everyday staples like Waitrose and Robert Dyas, evoking a cozy yet subversive vibe akin to Death in Paradise set in rural England. The screenplay, penned by Katy Brand and Suzanne Heathcote, stays faithful to the book’s plot while amplifying its cinematic appeal. Osman, who serves as an executive producer, deliberately stepped back from writing the script to focus on his novels, entrusting the adaptation to seasoned professionals.
The story explores themes of friendship, aging, and resilience, wrapped in a comedic crime caper that balances lighthearted humor with genuine emotional stakes. The retirees’ determination to solve the murder, despite their age and the risks involved, makes for an inspiring and entertaining narrative. With a runtime of 1 hour and 58 minutes and a PG-13 rating, the film promises accessibility to a wide audience, from fans of the book to newcomers seeking a fresh mystery.
Plot Twists: Keeping Audiences on Edge
While specific spoilers are avoided here to preserve the viewing experience, The Thursday Murder Club is renowned for its clever plot twists, a hallmark of Osman’s novel. The story is structured as a classic whodunit, with red herrings, misdirections, and surprising revelations that keep both the characters and the audience guessing. Here are some insights into the types of twists to expect, based on the book’s structure and the film’s promotional materials:
Unexpected Culprits: The novel is known for its ability to cast suspicion on multiple characters, only to reveal the true perpetrator in a shocking yet satisfying manner. The film is expected to maintain this, with the ensemble cast providing ample opportunity for layered motives and hidden agendas. Ian Ventham (Tennant) and other supporting characters may hold secrets that unravel in unexpected ways.
Character Backstories: Each member of the Thursday Murder Club has a rich past that influences their approach to the investigation. Flashbacks or revelations about Elizabeth’s spy days, Ron’s activist history, or Ibrahim’s professional insights could serve as pivotal twists, reshaping how viewers perceive their actions.
Misdirection and Humor: Osman’s writing weaves humor into the suspense, often using the retirees’ unassuming nature to disguise their cunning. Expect moments where seemingly trivial details—perhaps Joyce’s diary entries or Ron’s offhand comments—turn out to be crucial clues, flipping the narrative on its head.
Emotional Stakes: The novel blends lighthearted sleuthing with poignant moments, such as reflections on loss and mortality. The film may introduce twists that tie the murder to the personal lives of the characters, adding emotional depth to the mystery. For instance, the involvement of Joyce’s daughter Joanna or Patrice’s connection to the police could lead to surprising personal revelations.
The teaser trailer, released on May 29, 2025, offers glimpses of these dynamics without giving too much away. It showcases the quartet’s chemistry and hints at the tension between their amateur sleuthing and the official police investigation, setting the stage for a rollercoaster of surprises. Fans of the book will appreciate the fidelity to Osman’s twist-heavy storytelling, while new viewers will enjoy the unpredictable ride.
Production and Release Details
The Thursday Murder Club is a collaboration between Netflix and Steven Spielberg’s Amblin Entertainment, with executive producers including Holly Bario, Jeb Brody, Eleanor Columbus, and Osman himself. Jennifer Todd serves as the producer, ensuring a polished production. Initially, Ol Parker was set to write and direct, but Columbus took over in April 2024, bringing his expertise in crafting accessible, crowd-pleasing films. Filming, delayed by the 2023 Hollywood labor disputes, wrapped in September 2024, setting the stage for its August 2025 release.
The film will premiere in select theaters on August 22, 2025, before streaming exclusively on Netflix on August 28, 2025—a fitting Thursday release for a film named after its weekly sleuthing club. While Osman has confirmed a fifth book in the series is in the works for 2025, there’s hope that the film’s success could lead to adaptations of the sequels, such as The Man Who Died Twice.
Why It’s a Must-Watch
The Thursday Murder Club combines the best elements of a cozy mystery with the star power and production quality of a Hollywood blockbuster. Its cast, led by Mirren, Brosnan, Kingsley, and Imrie, delivers performances that are both heartfelt and hilarious, while the plot’s twists keep viewers engaged from start to finish. The film’s blend of humor, suspense, and emotional resonance makes it a standout addition to Netflix’s 2025 lineup, appealing to fans of Knives Out, Death in Paradise, and Osman’s original novel.
Whether you’re a longtime reader or a newcomer to Cooper’s Chase, The Thursday Murder Club promises an unforgettable cinematic experience. So, brew a cup of tea, settle into your comfiest chair, and prepare to join Elizabeth, Ron, Ibrahim, and Joyce as they unravel a mystery that’s as charming as it is thrilling. Don’t miss it on Netflix, August 28, 2025.
