Retirement doesn’t suit everyone. In The Thursday Murder Club, four residents of a peaceful British retirement village trade shuffleboard for cold-case files, quickly finding themselves tangled in a real-life murder investigation. Premiering August 28 on Netflix, the film brings Richard Osman’s bestselling 2020 novel to screen under the direction of Chris Columbus, whose filmography includes Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone and Mrs. Doubtfire.
The story centers on Elizabeth, Ibrahim, Ron, and Joyce – each with a hidden past and sharp instincts. Elizabeth, portrayed by Helen Mirren, once worked in espionage. Ben Kingsley plays Ibrahim, a retired psychiatrist. Pierce Brosnan steps into the role of Ron, formerly a union activist, while Celia Imrie rounds out the group as Joyce, a former nurse. Together, they convene every Thursday to examine unsolved crimes, until one hits too close to home.
Columbus approached the project with a focus on balancing sharp humor with emotional nuance. He collaborated on the screenplay with Katy Brand and Suzanne Heathcote, preserving the tone of Osman’s novel while crafting a film experience that stands on its own. “There’s a wonderful mystery at its core,” says Columbus. “It’s comedic, but it’s also very emotional.”
The cast features a wide range of established talent. Naomi Ackie, Daniel Mays, Henry Lloyd-Hughes, Tom Ellis, Jonathan Pryce, David Tennant, Paul Freeman, Geoff Bell, Richard E. Grant, and Ingrid Oliver bring additional intrigue, tension, and levity to the story. Amblin founder Steven Spielberg even visited the set, reuniting with Paul Freeman, who played Belloq in Raiders of the Lost Ark.
Richard Osman drew inspiration from conversations with his mother’s neighbors in a retirement community. “You hear these amazing stories and gossip and wisdom,” Osman said. “These people are so overlooked.” He envisioned the main characters as underestimated yet highly skilled individuals, perfectly positioned to outsmart criminals and solve mysteries.
The film arrives amid growing anticipation from fans of Osman’s books. Since the release of The Thursday Murder Club, Osman has expanded the series with The Man Who Died Twice, The Bullet That Missed, The Last Devil to Die, and The Impossible Fortune, set for release later this year.
Producer Jennifer Todd discovered the book in 2019 and immediately saw its cinematic potential. She brought Columbus into the project for his experience with adaptations and his instinct for character-driven storytelling. “Chris is great with book adaptations,” Todd said. “He understands when something has the reverence that this book has.”
With its ensemble cast, sharp writing, and Columbus at the helm, The Thursday Murder Club aims to deliver a mystery with both bite and charm. The Thursday Murder Club premieres August 28, on Netflix.
