The Thursday Murder Club: Book vs. Netflix Movie – A Definitive Breakdown

It’s a Sunday evening in late August, and a cool, contemplative mood is beginning to settle over London. The vibrant energy of summer is making way for the cozy, introspective spirit of autumn—a season that feels tailor-made for curling up with a good mystery. In the world of modern fiction, no mystery has captured the hearts of a global audience quite like Richard Osman’s publishing phenomenon, The Thursday Murder Club. This delightful, witty, and surprisingly poignant novel became an instant classic, a beacon of the "cozy mystery" trend that continues to dominate bestseller lists and social media feeds. The book’s success is a testament to our collective craving for stories that are both clever and kind.

So, when Netflix announced a star-studded, blockbuster film adaptation directed by Chris Columbus (Harry Potter, Home Alone), the news was met with a mixture of wild excitement and nervous trepidation. On platforms like TikTok and Pinterest, the "#booktomovie" debate is a passionate and enduring trend. Fans create aesthetic mood boards of their dream casts, analyze trailers frame-by-frame, and fiercely debate the changes made in the adaptation process. The journey of a beloved book to the screen is a high-stakes affair, and for the residents of Coopers Chase, the expectations could not be higher.

With a cast featuring legends like Helen Mirren, Pierce Brosnan, Ben Kingsley, and Celia Imrie, the film promises to bring our favourite septuagenarian sleuths to life with undeniable star power. But can a two-hour film possibly capture the intricate plotting, the dry wit, and the deep, emotional heart of Osman’s beloved novel? This is the ultimate, in-depth, and spoiler-filled guide for every fan who has asked that very question. We will dissect the adaptation, explore the ten biggest changes from page to screen in descending order of impact, and help you decide which version of this charming mystery you should experience first.

Enjoyed what you read? If you find this article insightful and it helps you navigate the world of book-to-screen adaptations, please consider supporting our work. Your generosity allows us to continue creating and sharing in-depth cultural commentary. You can make a donation by moving your cursor to the top of the article or scrolling down to the bottom. Every little bit helps us spread the love, one article at a time!

The Heart of the Matter: Why We Fell in Love with the Book

Before we dive into the changes, it’s crucial to understand what made Richard Osman’s debut novel a global sensation. The book’s brilliance lies in its perfect, delicate balance. On the surface, it’s a masterfully plotted "whodunit," a classic puzzle-box mystery set in a charming retirement village. But the crime is simply the engine for a story that is much richer and more profound.

Osman’s true genius is in his character work. He treats his older characters—Elizabeth, Joyce, Ibrahim, and Ron—with an immense sense of dignity, wit, and respect. They are not caricatures of the elderly; they are vibrant, intelligent, and deeply complex individuals with rich, and often painful, histories. Their skills, honed over lifetimes as spies, nurses, psychiatrists, and union leaders, are not just gimmicks; they are the tools they use to find purpose and meaning in their later years. The narrative is a masterclass in tone, seamlessly blending laugh-out-loud humour with moments of genuine, heartbreaking pathos. The quiet, devastating subplot involving Bernard and his wife’s ashes is a perfect example of the emotional depth that elevates this book far beyond a simple cozy mystery.

The novel’s unique structure, primarily Joyce’s warm, funny, and often surprisingly insightful journal entries, grounds the entire story. Her first-person perspective provides the reader with an intimate, charming, and deeply reliable guide through the complex web of clues and red herrings. It is this combination of a clever mystery, unforgettable characters, and a deep, emotional heart that made the book a phenomenon. For more on the author's incredible success, The Guardian's profile on Richard Osman is a fantastic read.

Casting the Legends: A Dream Team Assembled

One area where the Netflix adaptation has been universally praised is its casting. The announcement of the four main leads was met with a collective, global nod of approval, a rare feat in the world of book adaptations.

• Helen Mirren as Elizabeth Best: Mirren is the perfect choice for the group's enigmatic and formidable leader. With a career full of powerful, intelligent, and often intimidating characters, she has the natural authority and the subtle, steely glint in her eye that is pure Elizabeth. She is an actress who can convey a lifetime of secrets with a single, knowing glance.

• Pierce Brosnan as Ron Ritchie: The former James Bond brings a perfect blend of rugged charm and working-class grit to the role of the hot-headed former union leader. Brosnan has the charisma to make Ron's often-abrasive personality endearing, and his presence adds a touch of old-school movie star glamour to the ensemble.

• Ben Kingsley as Ibrahim Arif: As the meticulous and brilliant former psychiatrist, Kingsley brings a quiet, intellectual intensity to the role. He is an actor of immense gravitas and precision, perfectly suited to portraying Ibrahim’s thoughtful, analytical nature.

• Celia Imrie as Joyce Meadowcroft: The beloved British actress is the perfect embodiment of Joyce's warmth, charm, and hidden depths. Imrie has a gift for playing characters who are both funny and deeply empathetic, and she is the perfect choice to be the gentle, observant heart of the group.

This ensemble is, in a word, perfect. They have a natural, easy chemistry that makes their friendship feel instantly believable. The film’s greatest strength is simply the joy of watching these four legends interact, their combined talent and charisma a powerful force that carries the entire movie. The show's focus on a powerful ensemble is a key to its success, a theme you can explore in our list of The Top 5 Best Movies With An Ensemble Cast.

Book vs. Movie: The 10 Biggest Changes, Ranked by Impact

Every adaptation requires changes, but the choices made can fundamentally alter the tone, plot, and emotional core of a story. Here are the ten most significant changes made in the Netflix version of The Thursday Murder Club, ranked in descending order from the smallest tweaks to the most impactful transformations.

10. Ibrahim's Eulogy

The Change: The film adds a scene where Ibrahim gives a moving and insightful eulogy at the funeral for Penny and Ian. The Impact: This is a small but beautiful addition that works wonderfully for the film format. In the book, we learn about Ibrahim's insights through internal monologue or conversations. The eulogy provides a perfect, cinematic moment for his character to shine, showcasing his deep understanding of human psychology and his profound empathy. Ben Kingsley delivers the speech, which he reportedly helped write, with a quiet, powerful grace. It’s a lovely, character-affirming moment that adds to the film’s emotional depth.

9. Bogdan’s Mother

The Change: In the film, the Polish construction worker Bogdan tells Elizabeth that his mother is still alive but sick back in Poland. In the book, his mother has already passed away, and his motivations are tied to her memory. The Impact: This is a subtle but interesting character change. By making his mother's illness a present-tense problem, the film gives Bogdan a more immediate and tangible motivation for his actions. It simplifies his backstory slightly, making him an easier character to understand and empathize with in the limited screen time of a movie.

8. The Trip to See Joanna

The Change: In the book, Joyce and Elizabeth take a charming and eventful train trip to London to get Joyce's daughter, Joanna, to analyze some financial records. In the movie, this entire subplot is handled via a simple email. The Impact: This is a classic example of cinematic streamlining. While the train trip is a delightful chapter in the book, full of great character moments and a wonderful sense of place, it is not strictly essential to the main plot. Cutting it saves time and keeps the narrative focused on the central mystery in Coopers Chase. However, fans of the book will miss the charming interplay between the two women on their "big day out."

7. The Discovery of Tony Curran’s Death

The Change: In the film, Joyce hears about the murder of the developer Tony Curran on a radio news report and rushes to tell the group. In the book, she is informed directly by Elizabeth, who has already started her own clandestine investigation. The Impact: This is a small change that slightly alters the power dynamic at the beginning of the story. In the book, Elizabeth is immediately established as the one in control, the person who is always two steps ahead. The film's version makes the discovery a more communal and reactive event, with Joyce playing a more active role in bringing the initial information to the club.

6. The Police Station Visit

The Change: In both versions, Elizabeth and Joyce visit the police station under a false pretence to get information. The film adds a new, comedic layer to this scene: Elizabeth intentionally dresses down in a dowdy outfit, including a headscarf, to appear more unassuming. This leads to a joke from her husband about her looking like Queen Elizabeth (a meta-nod to Helen Mirren's Oscar-winning role). The Impact: This is a fun, cinematic addition that plays to Helen Mirren’s strengths and provides a moment of lighthearted, "wink-and-a-nod" humour for the audience. It’s a charming scene that highlights Elizabeth's clever, chameleon-like abilities while also giving viewers a fun Easter egg. This kind of clever adaptation is always a treat, a quality shared by some of the films on our list of The Top 5 Best Movie Remakes of All Time.

5. The Jason Ritchie Arc

The Change: In the book, Ron's son, the famous ex-boxer Jason Ritchie, is a messy, complex, and very plausible suspect with a significant and dramatic storyline. The film significantly trims his role, simplifying his backstory and providing him with a more straightforward, almost soap-operatic, alibi. The Impact: This is a significant simplification that lessens the complexity of the central mystery. In the book, Jason's involvement adds a layer of personal stakes for Ron and a genuine red herring for the reader. The film's version reduces him to more of a cameo, a narrative shortcut that keeps the focus on the main suspects but sacrifices some of the book's intricate plotting. The father-son dynamic is a powerful one, a theme you can explore in our list of The Top 5 Best Movies About Fathers.

4. The Lightened Emotional Weight (The Loss of Bernard and Father Mackey)

The Change: Two of the book's most heartbreaking and poignant subplots are significantly reduced or cut entirely. The story of Father Mackey's tragic past and, most notably, the quiet, devastating storyline of Bernard and his lonely vigil for his late wife, are largely absent from the film. The Impact: This is perhaps the most significant tonal shift between the two versions. These subplots are the soul of the book; they are what elevate it from a clever mystery to a profound meditation on aging, love, loss, and loneliness. Their absence in the film makes the overall experience much lighter, cozier, and less emotionally resonant. While this makes the movie a more straightforward "comfort watch," readers of the book will deeply feel the loss of these gut-punch moments of pure, unadulterated pathos. The show’s complex family dynamics are central to its appeal, a theme you can explore in our list of The Top 5 Best Movies About Mothers and The Top 5 Best Movies About Friendship.

3. Elizabeth’s Softer Edges

The Change: In the novel, Elizabeth Best is a truly formidable and often ruthless character. She is a master manipulator, and while she acts in the service of her friends, she has a core of pure steel that can be genuinely intimidating. Helen Mirren’s portrayal is brilliant and charming, but the film softens some of Elizabeth's more shadowy, Machiavellian edges. The Impact: This change makes Elizabeth a more traditionally likeable and heroic protagonist. It’s an understandable choice for a mainstream film, but it does remove some of the moral ambiguity that makes her such a fascinating character in the book. The on-screen Elizabeth is a brilliant and charming spy; the book's Elizabeth is a woman you are never quite sure you can trust, which adds a layer of delicious tension that is somewhat muted in the film. The show's complex hero is a fascinating character study, a theme you can explore in our list of the Top 5 Favorite Movie Anti-Heroes of All Time.

2. The Simplification of the Mystery

The Change: The central "whodunit" of the novel is a complex, multi-layered jigsaw puzzle, with numerous subplots, red herrings, and interconnected characters. The film streamlines this mystery significantly, merging some characters and cutting other plot threads entirely to create a more direct and easy-to-follow narrative.

The Impact: This is a necessary evil of almost all book-to-film adaptations. A two-hour movie simply does not have the space for the intricate plotting of a 400-page novel. The film's mystery is still clever and engaging, but it is undoubtedly a simplified version of the book's brilliant, labyrinthine plot. Readers who delighted in the book's complexity and the satisfaction of solving its intricate puzzle may find the film's version a little too straightforward. The film's thrilling plot will keep you hooked, a quality it shares with the films on our list of 6 Edge of Your Seat Thriller Movies That Will Keep You Guessing. For more on the author's work, the Richard Osman website is a great resource.

1. The Loss of Joyce’s Point of View

The Change: In the novel, a significant portion of the story is told through the first-person journal entries of Joyce. This narrative device is completely absent from the film, which is told from a more traditional, omniscient third-person perspective. The Impact: This is, without a doubt, the single most significant and impactful change in the entire adaptation. Joyce’s voice is the secret weapon of the book. Her warm, funny, slightly dotty, and often surprisingly profound observations are what give the novel its unique charm and its emotional core. She is the reader's guide, our confidante, and our window into the world of Coopers Chase. By removing her narration, the film loses the book’s most distinctive and beloved feature. While Celia Imrie is wonderful as Joyce, the film is unable to capture the rich inner life that makes her such an unforgettable character on the page. This structural change fundamentally alters the storytelling experience.

The Verdict: Which Version Should You Choose?

The eternal question for any book-to-screen adaptation: which one is better? In the case of The Thursday Murder Club, the answer is a little more complicated.

Watch the movie first if: You are looking for a charming, visually beautiful, and thoroughly entertaining cozy mystery with a legendary, all-star cast. The film is a perfect "comfort watch," ideal for a rainy Sunday afternoon with a cup of tea. It stands on its own as a delightful and well-made piece of entertainment, and you will undoubtedly enjoy it.

Read the book first if: You are a lover of intricate, cleverly plotted mysteries and deep, nuanced character work. The book offers a richer, messier, and more emotionally profound experience. If you want to get the full jigsaw puzzle, with all its brilliant red herrings and heartbreaking subplots, you must start with the book.

Ultimately, both versions are a delight, but they offer different experiences. The Netflix movie is a charming, starry, and feel-good take on the story. The book, however, is the definitive version, a story that is both funnier and sadder, and one that will stay with you long after you've solved the crime. This kind of powerful, life-changing story is a joy to read, a theme we also loved in our review of The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo. For more great adaptations, you can check out our list of The Top 5 Best Book to Movie Adaptations of All Time.

Conclusion

The journey of a beloved book to the screen is always a fascinating one. The Netflix adaptation of The Thursday Murder Club is a charming, beautifully made, and wonderfully acted film that successfully captures the cozy, witty spirit of its source material. While it inevitably simplifies the intricate plot and softens some of the novel’s darker, more poignant edges, it is a delightful piece of entertainment in its own right, and a fantastic gateway for new fans into the world of Richard Osman’s brilliant creation.

The film and the book are not in competition; they are companions. One is a rich, detailed, and deeply emotional literary experience. The other is a glamorous, comforting, and visually stunning cinematic treat. The true magic is that, thanks to this adaptation, the world now has two wonderful ways to spend time with the unforgettable residents of Coopers Chase. And for that, we can all be grateful.

Enjoyed what you read? If you found this article insightful, please consider supporting our work. Your generosity allows us to continue creating and sharing in-depth cultural commentary. You can make a donation by moving your cursor to the top of the article or scrolling down to the bottom. Every little bit helps us spread the love, one article at a time!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Who wrote The Thursday Murder Club book series? The series is written by the beloved British television presenter and comedian, Richard Osman. This was his debut novel.

2. Is the Netflix movie a faithful adaptation of the book? It is faithful to the main plot and the spirit of the characters, but it makes several significant changes to the subplots and the overall tone to fit the format of a two-hour film.

3. Do I need to read the book before watching the movie? You don't need to, but it is highly recommended. The book provides a much richer, more detailed, and emotionally complex experience.

4. How many books are in The Thursday Murder Club series? As of 2025, there are five books in the series, with the fifth instalment, The Impossible Fortune, having just been released. For more details on the series, the official Penguin Books website is a great resource.

5. Who directed the Netflix movie? The film was directed by Chris Columbus, who is famous for directing classic films like Home Alone and the first two Harry Potter movies.

6. Where can I watch the movie? The Thursday Murder Club is a Netflix Original film and is available to stream exclusively on the Netflix platform.

7. What is a "cozy mystery"? A cozy mystery is a subgenre of crime fiction where the violence and sex are downplayed or happen off-screen. The detective is often an amateur sleuth, and the setting is usually a small, charming community. The focus is on the intellectual puzzle of the mystery.

8. Will there be a sequel to the movie? Given the success of the book series and the all-star cast, it is highly likely that Netflix will adapt the subsequent books in the series into sequel films.

9. What makes the book so popular? The book's popularity is due to its perfect blend of a clever, well-plotted mystery, a huge amount of humour and charm, and a deep, empathetic, and dignified portrayal of its older characters.

10. I loved this! What should I watch next? If you loved the cozy mystery and the brilliant ensemble cast, you would absolutely love the film Knives Out. For more recommendations, you can check out our list of 6 Gripping Suspense Thriller Movies You Can't Miss or our list of 6 Must-Watch Psychological Thriller Movies for something a little darker. For a classic whodunit, our review of The Top 5 Best Murder Mystery Movies of All Time is a great place to start. For a different kind of mystery, our review of The Top 5 Best True Crime Documentaries of All Time has some incredible suggestions. And for a change of pace, our review of The Top 5 Best Heist Movies of All Time offers a different kind of thrill. And finally, for more on ensemble casts, our list of The Top 5 Best Movies With An Ensemble Cast is a must-read.