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The Thursday Murder Club

194 replies

AnneElliotfanclub · 22/08/2025 23:16

Anyone else been to see this? Was really looking forward to it but rather disappointed by changes to the plot.

OP posts:
Britpopbaby · 28/08/2025 20:29

I’ve not read it but I am just finishing it now and finding it a bit boring. I really wanted to like it too.

Its interesting that Katy brand was involved in penning the screen play.

BlueBell50 · 28/08/2025 20:41

I sort of enjoyed it but not totally (if you know what I mean) . Ron should have been Ray Winstone definitely not Pearce Brosnan. How they get out of the Bogdan situation will be interesting to see. I think it would have been better as a six-parter rather than attempting to squeeze it into 2 hours. I need to re-read the book to see what else I have missed.

HeronPond · 28/08/2025 20:49

Judashascomeintosomemoney · 28/08/2025 20:03

Pierce Brosnan wasn't Northern enough

I thought he was supposed to be Cockney?

He is!

frogpigdonkey · 28/08/2025 21:37

Thought it was shit.V disappointed that with such a good cast it was so paint by numbers with all the charm of the book and the characters erased. Like a lot of the actors but the whole was so much less than the sum of the parts.

mum2jakie · 28/08/2025 21:50

I was looking forward to this and I'll watch any old shite and usually enjoy it. Watched half so far and not overly impressed. Disappointing given the calibre of the cast. It's very hammy and not particularly funny.

Newgirls · 28/08/2025 22:01

I enjoyed it. Loved Elizabeth’s apartment. HM was spot on.

actor playing bogden was great - how are they going to resolve that?

pierces accent and jaunty hat were very distracting - he’s the same in every role!

Newgirls · 28/08/2025 22:08

If Richard osman is claiming he didn’t have anything to do with it - it’s a bit of a coincidence his wife is in it.., I think he’s saying that to not get the stick for that

she was good in the part however

mnahmnah · 28/08/2025 22:13

Newgirls · 28/08/2025 22:08

If Richard osman is claiming he didn’t have anything to do with it - it’s a bit of a coincidence his wife is in it.., I think he’s saying that to not get the stick for that

she was good in the part however

He’s listed as an executive producer as well!

I enjoyed it, apart from the Borden element.

Coopers Chase is nothing how the book describes it either, which is annoying.

HeronPond · 28/08/2025 22:22

Newgirls · 28/08/2025 22:08

If Richard osman is claiming he didn’t have anything to do with it - it’s a bit of a coincidence his wife is in it.., I think he’s saying that to not get the stick for that

she was good in the part however

Well, I don’t think he produced it or wrote it or cast it…?

BeaLola · 28/08/2025 22:30

So I saw it at the cinema 2 weeks ago and rewatched on tv tonight

Potential spoilers below

It is years since I read the book which whilst I like isn't as good as subsequent books

I agree a Netflix series of 6 /8 episodes would have been better

My main gripes

Ron definitely not Pierce although he wasn't as bad as I thought he would be (still scarred from his singing in -Mamma Mia)

David Tennant & Ingrid Oliver miscast, not that keen on Tom Ellis either

What was it with the necklace ?

Coopers Chase was more a historic NT Castle place than a posh retirement home

I wonder if the evidence against Bogdan will go missing , tape be deliberately erased ?

Also why when Terry Curran entered his house where there were papers strewn everywhere looking like a break in had occurred he just seemingly didn't notice and caries on with his phone conversation

Helen Mirren & Celia Imrie great

crunchypeanutbutterontoast · 28/08/2025 22:32

I had low expectations, but was pleasantly surprised. The books were an easy read, and in turn, the film was an easy watch - enjoyable but not demanding!

kimbear87 · 28/08/2025 22:34

Did not deserve the 6.8 on IMDB. I felt embarrassed having made DH watch it with me as I told him the book was great 😡

HavenSprings · 28/08/2025 22:43

kimbear87 · 28/08/2025 22:34

Did not deserve the 6.8 on IMDB. I felt embarrassed having made DH watch it with me as I told him the book was great 😡

Same here! Had my DH watch it with me and what's more he then had to listen to me rambling about my utter disappointment for 1+ hour 😂

As a non reader of the book, he felt the film was okay up to a point and then all the suspense just vanished and the end twists fell flat.

...might have something to do with my disgusted face throughout, probably, I don't know 😂They did my boy Bodgan so dirty. I won't say anything else.

And to think my only worry up till now was Pierce Brosnan - and I ended up liking him as Ron! Oh, well.

KeepCalmAndCarryOnScrolling · 28/08/2025 22:51

RuthandPen · 28/08/2025 19:02

With a main cast whose average age must be 80, I imagine it's prudent not to over-commit at one go!

Show quote history

Well, that's another reason to film them all in one go and release one a year like Knives Out! Wink
Seriously though, Richard had said previously I'm sure, that they needed to cast younger (70s not 80s, although I think they are octogenarians in the book?) in case it did become a film franchise.
But then I discover Helen and Ben are already there, but looking amazing.
Helen is 80
Pierce is 72
Celia is 73
Ben is 81
Impressive bodies of work and work ethic, all of them.

ThePoshUns · 28/08/2025 23:34

I haven’t read the book but enjoyed the film. It was all a bit silly but entertaining and a stellar cast.

Hollieandtheivie · 28/08/2025 23:45

I thought the casting was spot on with Elizabeth and Donna. I listened to the audio book so did see Joyce as Lesley Maville, too. Might have been too 'Magpie Murders' if so as Chris (the detective) was in one of those series). I didn't like his casting, and they made his character unpleasant, which was a shame. In the books, I found him endearing. Interested to hear what others thought about that character.

Loved Elizabeth's and Donna's rapport. Oh, to have a woman like Elizabeth in your corner!

I missed Joyce's little comments. They made the books for me. I expected her to look more up to date as well. More marks and spencer/john lewis.

I loved the bit with the drawing lesson and Joyce's x-rated picture. That wasn't in the book, but was very true to the characters.

Mydadsbirthday · 29/08/2025 00:35

ExcellentDesign · 24/08/2025 21:38

Just got back from the cinema, I really enjoyed it, but I didn't enjoy the book so didn't mind that the plotlines were changed. Yes, it seemed contrived but the great acting and fabulous settings and scenery made up for it.

I didn't like the book either, found it really dull, but I think I'll enjoy the film!

Ellmau · 29/08/2025 00:49

I don't think Osman is a very good writer, but because of that I thought maybe the film might actually work better. But it sounds as if maybe not?

Zofloramummy · 29/08/2025 01:10

I’ve just watched it and found it on the whole to be ok. Pierce Brosnan is not who I envisioned Ron to be I would have cast Ray Winstone. The plot has been simplified to the point of making Elizabeth appear omniscient and the whole thing is very much from her perspective and is lacking the input from Joyce that made the books endearing.
The ending was messed up and makes a sequel rather difficult unless they are writing out a major character.

Lincslady53 · 29/08/2025 06:55

We intended to see this at the cinema last week, but we're too busy. Then saw it was on Netflix, so watched at home last night. Quite enjoyed it. We compared it to Death in Paradise or Madame Blanc, a good, lightweight tv programme. I didn't get past the first couple of chapters in the book, but may go back and try to finish it.

the80sweregreat · 29/08/2025 07:39

I had Ray Winston or Vinny jones for Ron ( in my head )
PB was ok though. I also wanted the spy lady from killing Eve to be Elizabeth , Fiona Shaw.

HeronPond · 29/08/2025 07:42

the80sweregreat · 29/08/2025 07:39

I had Ray Winston or Vinny jones for Ron ( in my head )
PB was ok though. I also wanted the spy lady from killing Eve to be Elizabeth , Fiona Shaw.

Fiona Shaw is only in her mid-sixties!

the80sweregreat · 29/08/2025 07:47

Oh right! She looks older in Killing Eve !
I just had that type of character in my head rather than Helen Mirran. She wasn’t too terrible though

HeronPond · 29/08/2025 07:52

the80sweregreat · 29/08/2025 07:47

Oh right! She looks older in Killing Eve !
I just had that type of character in my head rather than Helen Mirran. She wasn’t too terrible though

I agree she’s a genius and should be in everything!

Codyrhodesisaheel · 29/08/2025 07:53

It’s been several years since I read the book so I will admit I can’t remember the storyline hugely.

overall I enjoyed the film for what it was 2hrs of light entertainment. Quite frankly that’s what I want in a movie these days - something I can watch before bed, something that will keep my interest, and no bloody CGI!

I thought the casting was good. PB slightly miscast, but we knew that from the beginning - and i still love PB so it wasn’t that distracting.

I love Celia imrie and agree she should have had more to do - Joyce came across as a bit part secondary calendar, as did Ben Kingsley

can someone remind me of the plot points they removed?