The film adaptation of Richard Osman's debut novel The Thursday Murder Club has received mixed reactions from fans, with some expressing disappointment despite its star-studded cast. The film, directed by Chris Columbus, was released in cinemas on Friday 22 August and will arrive on Netflix on Thursday 28 August.
Osman, best known for presenting the BBC quiz show Pointless with Alexander Armstrong, published The Thursday Murder Club in 2020. The story follows a group of pensioners living in a care home who investigate the murder of a property developer in the fictional seaside village of Fairhaven in Kent. The book became the first debut novel to reach No. 1 on the Christmas bestseller list and has sold over a million copies in the UK alone, spawning four sequels.
The film boasts a cast including Helen Mirren, Pierce Brosnan, Ben Kingsley and Celia Imrie as the four amateur sleuths, alongside David Tennant, Jonathan Pryce, Naomi Ackie, Daniel Mays, Henry Lloyd-Hughes, Richard E. Grant and Tom Ellis.
Early viewers took to X to share their views. One user, @nicola_aus, wrote: "As a huge fan of the books, I'm sad to say I'm disappointed with The Thursday Murder Club film. It all feels very twee & definite Sunday night ITV vibes - despite the ridiculously lavish Coopers Chase! The heart & humour of the main quartet, plus Donna & Bogdan, felt lacking too." Another, @bartonreviews, said the film had a "wobbly start" but improved, adding: "it's just a shame it's over by the time it feels like it has really clicked into place." However, @cdaly72 said: "Really enjoyed #TheThursdayMurderClub Such a brilliant cast, I loved them all," while @ConnorMovies called it "a decent enough murder mystery" and "a perfect rainy day streaming watch."
The film currently holds a 74% score on Rotten Tomatoes based on 38 critic reviews. The Thursday Murder Club will be available to stream on Netflix from Thursday 28 August.
