‘The Thursday Murder Club’: Cosy mystery lacks spark

‘The Thursday Murder Club’ seems like the perfect movie for a cosy night in. It has all the ingredients for an irresistible recipe: quirky retirees as amateur detectives, a charming English setting, a murder or two sprinkled about like raisins in a fruitcake and sly humour. And yet, somehow, the end result tastes more like plain sponge than a richly iced dessert. Pleasant, serviceable, but not quite the indulgence one might hope for.

The story unfolds in Coopers Chase, a retirement village where ordinary life meets unexpected crime-solving. At the heart is a band of four unlikely detectives: Elizabeth (Helen Mirren), the group’s quick-thinking leader with traces of a secret life behind her calm smile; Joyce (Celia Imrie), a delightful widowed nurse with a deceptively gentle demeanour; Ron (Pierce Brosnan), once a labour organiser with a flair for rebellion; and Ibrahim (Ben Kingsley), a psychiatrist whose calm intellect grounds the chaos around.

They gather every Thursday to pore over cold cases, more as a hobby than a calling.

That hobby takes a dramatic turn with the shocking murder of Tony Curran, a brash property developer whose expansion plans have unsettled more than a few residents of Coopers Chase. His death transforms the group’s casual gatherings into a full-fledged investigation.

They step up from idle theorising to chasing suspects in an attempt to untangle lies and secrets hidden behind polite smiles. As the mystery deepens, their sharp instincts uncover unexpected connections, proving that age is no barrier to curiosity or to outsmarting both killers and the police.

The cast is the film’s strongest asset. Mirren makes Elizabeth sharp and witty, though at times almost too polished. Brosnan brings energy as Ron, but his accent slips and the performance feels uneven. Kingsley gives Ibrahim a calm depth, but the role doesn’t give him much to do. Imrie, meanwhile, shines as Joyce with warmth and charm.

Together, they share an easy chemistry, but the script doesn’t fully support them. It feels as if they are ready for something bigger, only the film never quite lets them loose.

Visually, the film leans into the vibe. Sun-dappled cottages, polished tea sets and tidy gardens, the production design is as safe and soothing as a Sunday afternoon stroll. That’s comfort in its own way, but it also means the atmosphere never gains real tension. You are cushioned in charm at all times, so even when bodies fall and secrets are revealed, the stakes feel low.

It is hard to fear for characters when everything around them is styled to reassure you that all will be well.

And this, perhaps, is why ‘The Thursday Murder Club’ feels just about okay. It is a film that refuses to ruffle feathers.

It wants to be delightful but never daring, cosy but never sharp, playful but never wicked. It entertains politely, then tidies up after itself, leaving you with a smile but no lingering aftertaste. You enjoy the company, but once the credits roll, it is surprisingly easy to slip the whole thing from your mind.

That said, there is still charm in watching older characters take the reins of adventure. The film carries a quiet, subversive pleasure in reminding us that curiosity and cleverness don’t retire, even if the storytelling around them feels hesitant.

It is a movie you might watch on a rainy afternoon and enjoy for a gentle diversion. But don’t expect it to dazzle.

‘The Thursday Murder Club’ is amiable, lightly witty and cosy enough to warm an evening, but it never quite musters the sparkle that its premise promises.

Like a teapot gone slightly lukewarm, it is fine for a sip, but you will find yourself wishing someone had kept the kettle boiling.