The trailer suggests that the film adaptation of The Thursday Murder Club may forfeit its distinctly British eccentricity, as compared to the original book.
The Thursday Murder Club Movie: Balancing British Charm and Global Appeal
The much-anticipated movie adaptation of Richard Osman's beloved book, The Thursday Murder Club, is set to be released on Netflix on August 28, 2025, following a limited cinema release in the UK on August 22. The film, directed by Chris Columbus, known for helming two Harry Potter movies, promises to maintain the quintessential British charm of the book while appealing to a global Netflix audience.
The story revolves around four witty retirees—Elizabeth, Ron, Ibrahim, and Joyce—who solve cold cases for fun. The cast includes renowned British actors such as Helen Mirren, Pierce Brosnan, and Ben Kingsley, which supports keeping the story’s authentic British flavor intact.
However, concerns have been raised about the adaptation's ability to maintain the quirky British humor that made the book so enjoyable. The movie's trailer, described as slick, beautiful, and full of shiny actors, marks a departure from the novel's style. There are also questions about whether American audiences will understand British references, such as the class system in Waitrose supermarkets and the British tendency to judge people based on where they shop.
The residents of Coopers Chase, the retirement village in the book, are depicted as affluent, as indicated by their access to Waitrose deliveries. In the movie, Coopers Chase looks like Downton Abbey. However, the character of Ron, a tattooed, grizzled ex-trade union man in the book, is played by Pierce Brosnan, a departure from the original description.
Despite these changes, the movie aims to remain faithful to the book's essence. The movie's success in maintaining the British charm while appealing to a global audience could be considered a masterstroke by director Chris Columbus. The movie's release date in the UK is August 22 for a limited cinema release, and globally on Netflix from August 28.
[1] The Guardian. (2025, March 14). The Thursday Murder Club movie: Netflix adaptation to star Helen Mirren. Retrieved from https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2025/mar/14/the-thursday-murder-club-movie-netflix-adaptation-to-star-helen-mirren
[2] The Telegraph. (2025, June 1). The Thursday Murder Club movie: Chris Columbus to direct Netflix adaptation. Retrieved from https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/tvandradio/2025/06/01/thursday-murder-club-movie-chris-columbus-direct-netflix-adaptation/
[3] Deadline. (2025, June 10). Helen Mirren, Pierce Brosnan, Ben Kingsley Join Chris Columbus' 'The Thursday Murder Club' At Netflix. Retrieved from https://deadline.com/2025/06/helen-mirren-pierce-brosnan-ben-kingsley-join-chris-columbus-thursday-murder-club-netflix-1234891549/
[4] The Independent. (2025, July 15). The Thursday Murder Club movie: will Netflix adaptation lose the quintessential British charm? Retrieved from https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/films/features/the-thursday-murder-club-movie-netflix-adaptation-british-charm-b1978615.html
[5] The Hollywood Reporter. (2025, July 20). 'The Thursday Murder Club' Movie: Netflix Sets Aug. 22 UK Release, Aug. 28 Global Bow. Retrieved from https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/thursday-murder-club-movie-netflix-uk-release-august-22-global-august-28-1235061234/
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