The Stream: You don’t have to pay too close attention to know what’s going on.

The Big Screen: The large ensemble is funny and charming.

The Final Bill: This movie is cozy and pleasant with some humor and heart.

– Trip Fontaine
Director: Chris Columbus
Writers: Katy Brand and Suzanne Heathcote based on a book by Richard Osman
Stars: Helen Mirren, Pierce Brosnan, Ben Kingsley, Celia Imrie, Naomi Ackie, David Tennant, Jonathan Pryce, Tom Ellis
Genre: Comedy, Crime, Mystery, Thriller
Rating: PG-13 for violent content/bloody images, strong language and some sexual references
Runtime: 1 hour 48 minutes
Production Companies: Amblin Entertainment, Netflix, Jennifer Todd Pictures, Maiden Voyage Pictures
Platform: On Netflix August 28, 2025
Notable Trailers: Frankenstein, Ballad of a Small Player, Jay Kelly, The Woman in Cabin 10

What’s up, Streamers! For those fans of Downton Abbey and Knives Out, Netflix has a recent release that might pique your interest. The Thursday Murder Club is a comedy about a quartet of retirees who get together at their retirement village, Coopers Chase, to discuss and solve cold cases. When the mysterious death of the owner of Coopers Chase threatens to displace all of the retirees living there, the Thursday Murder Club spring into action to solve the apparent murder using their wits and connections. British murder mystery hijinks ensue.

The Thursday Murder Club, which is based on a series of novels by Richard Osman, has a cozy feel about it despite murder being a central catalyst for its plot. The film relies on its strong ensemble led by Helen Mirren to keep the audience engaged. Each of the members of the Thursday Murder Club have a distinct personality, and they all contribute wit and humor to the movie. In fact, this movie is populated by a lot of fun actors who aren’t part of the central quartet including David Tennant, Naomi Ackie, and Tom Ellis, among others. There are even some touching emotional scenes between Mirren and Jonathan Pryce. While the plot of the film is fairly straightforward for a murder mystery, there are some twists and turns that keep you guessing without getting bored or being too ridiculous. Nevertheless, it’s very easy to follow along even if you’re not pay close attention. This movie is perfectly fine for second-screen viewing.

Ultimately, The Thursday Murder Club is a charming and pleasant movie with a decent mystery and a strong ensemble. The movie has both comedic and emotional moments that will keep you engaged. Grab a bowl of popcorn to spend a Sunday afternoon with the gang from Coopers Chase.