Cast: Helen Mirren, Pierce Brosnan, Ben Kingsley, Celia Imrie, Naomi Ackie, Daniel mays, Henry Lloyd Hughes, Tom Ellis, Jonathan Pryce, David Tennant, Richard E Grant

Written By:Katie Brant

Directed By: Chris Columbus

Studio/Streamer: Netflix

Release Year: 2025

Runtime: 121 minutes

Audio Description Produced By: VSI

Written By:

Narrated By:

What is it?: When a property owner plans to demolish a retirement community and redevelop it, he didn’t count on the residents being so feisty, and when someone turns up dead, he certainly wasn’t prepared for the Thursday Murder club, a little group of seniors obsessed with true crime and mysteries, who are now presented with a real opportunity to solve a crime that hit fairly close to home. Can they catch the killer and save their home in the process?

What Works: This is delightful. I here to forth put Chris Columbus in charge of all of the actors of a certain age, and making sure they are properly represented in films that are nothing like Summer camp, The Fabulous Four, Book Club, or 80 For Brady. This film reminds you that we used to revere our aging talents, and people made excellent movies with them, and around them. Case in point, The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel, which despite the presence of Dev Patel, rested on the shoulders of septuagenarians like Judie Dench and Tom Wilkinson. This is for the Movies For Grown Ups category, and will play well for the retiree crowd. However, it is just a delightful movie for anyone.

Not only is the film full of fun twists and turns, but every actor here is having a blast, which is a great sign that they are enjoying themselves. Brosnan and Mirren seem so miserable on Mobland, and here, they share a very goofy charm that is not that far removed from watching teenagers stumble through a murder mystery. While they certainly both have moments of gravitas, they also get to push their comedic chops.

I’m elated that Chris Columbus is still around, and not phoning it in. Having just sat through Lasse hallstrom’s paycheck at Amazon, Columbus could have half-assed his way through production, and produced yet another generic Netflix title. instead, he assembled not just a great film for Netflix, but one of the better movies of the year. Had this been in theaters, I think it would have done fairly well for itself.

What Doesn’t Work: While I was fully roped in for about 110 of the 121 minute runtime, I admit the beginning does contain some clunky dialogue that is just exposition. It is the kind of conversation between two people who clearly already know what they’re talking about, but for our purpose, they have to go over it aloud.I was worried this would continue on, but it seems like once the script feels like it has set up the premise, a light switch comes on, and the movie just goes like gangbusters from there. I suppose we could tighten it up a bit, but it also doesn’t lag. It is just an ensemble murder mystery that justifies all of its beats. cutting down the runtime would have removed subplots, or character development.

The Audio Description: A new company? I’m surprised, because I keep thinking I’ve heard everyone, then some random company pops up. the writing was fine, the narration was a bit flat. Not bad, just a little AI adjacent for my taste. in a world where the studios are trying to figure out how to use AI, great voice presentations in the narration are what is going to keep it human. We need to push for more voice talent that sounds decidedly human. I was also surprised that I got a UK film with American AD. I was so ready for a UK track. Nope. it does make it easier to hear the audio description, since she’s the only one without an accent.

Why You Might Like it: If you think movies for adults, starring screen legends, has been a suffering sub genre for the last decade, I’m pleased to say this is far better than we could have hoped for. If you have been waiting for another Something’s Gotta Give, or another trip to the Marigold Hotel, we have a worthy contender.

Why You Might not Like it: It isn’t winning any Oscar’s. While you might prefer your mysteries more serious, which is totally valid, this is also not that, even if it does break the levity from time to time.

Final Thoughts: Chris Columbus is a surprising bright spot for Netflix, championing a delightful mystery that showcases talents like Helen Mirren and pierce Brosnan as the immensely talented individuals they are.Set in a place where we often forget our loved ones, Thursday Murder Club offers an ensemble you will remember.

Fresh: Final Grade: 8.1/10