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The Thursday Murder Club

(148 Posts)
RosieandherMaw Thu 28-Aug-25 17:05:44

I have just finished watching this on Netflix and enjoyed it.
It didn’t make the same impression on me that the book made, Richard Osman seems uniquely able to get inside the heads of his characters, but an enjoyable afternoon’s viewing.
I’m not sure it would have achieved the hype and critical acclaim it will no doubt enjoy, though, if it had not had such a stellar cast!

Floradora9 Fri 29-Aug-25 21:04:26

I gave up after 15 minutes it was all so stiff and staged .It was supposed to be funny but I did not see anything funny at all . I was so looking forward to this too and joined Netflix just to see this one film .

Allira Fri 29-Aug-25 22:23:37

Oreo

DotScot

I saw the film in the Everyman cinema in Edinburgh yesterday. I enjoyed it, though not as much as the book. I was constantly annoyed by no-one agreeing on whether Ian Ventham's name should be pronounced with a 'th' or a 't'. Even Helen Mirren couldn't make up her mind from one scene to another.
I liked the portrayal of Stephen's character.
I concluded that the film was in the tradition of those British offerings from a bygone era, enjoyable, but not particularly deep.

That’s a good summing up😃 not as good as the book and slightly different plot but overall enjoyable.

Of course it wasn't deep!

They're not meant to be deep, they are meant to be tongue-in-cheek and, hopefully enjoyable.

We just watched it and enjoyed it, obviously couple of things which might be thought irritating but on the whole good fun and a change from all the doom, gloom and misery around, reflected in many TV series.

If viewers want real life gritty dramas then, no, it's not for them.
It's just a case of 'suspend belief and enjoy'!

glammagran Fri 29-Aug-25 22:26:32

I read the first two chapters of the original book and gave up. I found it far too twee. We’ve just watched the film on Netflix and to my complete surprise, I really, really enjoyed it as pure entertainment, not to be taken all that seriously. I’m not sure if R.O. has written other books about the TMC but if he has, I will look forward to more films being made.

Allira Fri 29-Aug-25 22:35:03

I really, really enjoyed it as pure entertainment, not to be taken all that seriously
Absolutely!

butterandjam Fri 29-Aug-25 23:04:19

Watched it tonight and thought it was very weak. We could not understand why they had assembled such an famous cast of older actors, mostly miscast, to churn their way through such a weak script. I don't think even they were enjoying it. Neither did we. I'd never bother to watch it again.

Then realised someone must have been inspired to make a lazy half baked knock=-off on a similar theme to Quartet (famous older actors in a retirement home under threat).

Quartet's a great film, good script, well cast and acted.

Thursday Murder Club is not.

Allira Fri 29-Aug-25 23:09:53

Ah well.

Some intellectual superiority showing in some reviews, apparently, but, oddly, we watched it with a DD (university lecturer) who took it at face value and thought it was light-hearted fun.

Crossstitchfan Fri 29-Aug-25 23:23:11

Didn’t read the book. Tried the tv programme but was incredibly bored. Persevered for a while, but couldn’t bring myself to finish it.

Doodledog Sat 30-Aug-25 00:11:17

I’m watching it now (about half way through) and enjoying it. It’s tosh, but enjoyable tosh. I’m not a fan of things like Midsomer Murders or Death in Paradise, but this has made me laugh out loud in places.

GrauntyHelen Sat 30-Aug-25 00:21:26

I enjoyed the book didnt enjoy the film as much

grannydarkhair Sat 30-Aug-25 03:07:28

I gave up on the book after a few pages, really not my cup of tea. I don’t have Netflix and definitely won’t pay to see it on the cinema. But, I will probably watch it if it appears on C4/iPlayer, etc. as I do like a lot of the cast and usually enjoy their performances.

Foxtail Sat 30-Aug-25 06:38:28

I enjoyed it, light-hearted, a few laughs, nothing to take too seriously. If there is a 2nd one, I will look forward to watching.
Could not get into the book, which I did not fancy originally, as not a big fan of the author, only bought on Kindle because of the amount of hype and sales it had. I suggest, watch the film for what it is, a bit of fun.

Chardy Sat 30-Aug-25 09:13:02

I find Richard Osman witty, have liked Chris Columbus films in the past, find Katy Brand (screenwriter) amusing, but I wouldn't recommend any friend to watch it.

All those huge cakes (and how many Tupperware cake boxes did Celia Imrie get through?), matching tea services, it was like Joan Hickson's 1950s Miss Marple dropped into 21st century.

A couple of times I grimaced then realised it was geared up to be sold to US.

But I rather liked the dancing at the end. Or maybe I was just happy to get to the credits.

Luckygirl3 Sat 30-Aug-25 09:32:43

It was an enjoyable afternoon's viewing.

fifeywifey Sat 30-Aug-25 10:31:36

I read the book and thought it was a bit meh. Having watched the film, I thought the same.

Allira Sat 30-Aug-25 10:35:13

Doodledog

I’m watching it now (about half way through) and enjoying it. It’s tosh, but enjoyable tosh. I’m not a fan of things like Midsomer Murders or Death in Paradise, but this has made me laugh out loud in places.

DD and I did too, although I don't think D was very inspired by it. He wanted more action and kept nodding off.

The cakes looked delicious but it was the strangest looking lemon drizzle cake I've seen!

Allira Sat 30-Aug-25 10:35:37

D = DH

Mel1967 Sat 30-Aug-25 10:45:10

Watched it last night & loved it.

Light hearted & good fun 😊

Gave up on the book ☹️

Oreo Sat 30-Aug-25 11:29:17

The cakes were def OTT but I really fancied a slice🤭

Oldbat1 Sat 30-Aug-25 13:08:09

It was a cosy and ok watch. Not wonderful not awful just middling. I found the books are weak.

Aveline Sat 30-Aug-25 14:50:03

I'm switching it off. I'd thought it would be enjoyable Saturday afternoon viewing but its just so artificial and overdone. No thanks. I haven't read the books as I don't like Richard Osman. He always comes over as so pleased with himself.

Luckygirl3 Sat 30-Aug-25 15:21:24

It is interesting how people come across to others. I have always liked Richard Osman. On his House of Games there are often contestants who fail dismally and he is always kind and manages to defuse any embarrassment. One one occasion there was an older person who was struggling and he dealt with it very respectfully. I also admire that he does not make a song and dance about his serious vision disability.

gay18 Sat 30-Aug-25 15:55:55

Awful books but what fun the to series. Wouldn’t we all want to live at Cooper’s Chase

Gfplux Sat 30-Aug-25 17:15:14

Now having watched it all I found it weak and not at all gripping or funny.
If I compare it to knives out then it is a very very poor second.
There is talk of a second film. I will not care if there is.

62Granny Sat 30-Aug-25 17:55:34

Haven't read the books so had no pre conceived ideas about the characters, but I have just finished watching it and it was fine for a wet Saturday afternoon.

GrannyGravy13 Sat 30-Aug-25 17:58:16

I enjoyed the books, (waiting for the fifth one to be released)

The film was easy watching and entertaining.

I do not need my mind to be challenged constantly, I do not need blood, sex or violence every couple of minutes, in books or on tv/film.

I always find Piers Brosnan gorgeous…