The Thursday Murder Club review — Cozy murder mystery with a slice of cake

The Thursday Murder Club shouldn’t be this delightful. It's almost sinful how cozy and warm like an old blanket the film is. And it should not be, right? After all, it starts as a story about a cold case of a young woman being killed intertwined with two present-day murders. That's a lot of death. By the time the credits roll, we’ve met not one, not two, but three killers—four, if you count the one secretly tied to the past.

Yet instead of sinking into the gloom of death and crime, The Thursday Murder Club feels like two hours of charming mischief carried by a cast of legends. It’s a mystery that entertains while somehow wrapping itself in warmth. It pairs well with tea and biscuits and maybe a cat by your feet.

Star power with a wink

Helen Mirren slips into the film with a kind of playful ease. The echoes of her previous roles, the undertones of monarchy, and even the basic fact of her name—Elizabeth—all fit into the plot like inside jokes handed around the table together with tea and cake.

There's a distinct joy in seeing an actress bring a complete history of performances into a new role, as if the film is aware you're watching with that memory in mind. Hence, every glance and every sentence carries a subtle wink, never heavy, but always light enough to inspire a smile of recognition.

It's humor that doesn't draw attention to itself, but rather adds another layer of delight, making The Thursday Murder Club feel both clever for those who catch it and effortlessly cozy for anyone who is simply enjoying the journey.

Murder made comforting

There’s something oddly cozy about watching a group of witty (and feisty, yes, very feisty!) seniors unravel tangled motives and hidden connections. The crimes are real and the stakes are high, yet the atmosphere leans toward warmth. Til the end.

It’s that type of murder story that pairs well with a blanket, a good cup of tea, and a generous slice of cake indeed. Instead of leaning on shock or glooming darkness, The Thursday Murder Club sidesteps the grimness of thrillers, the heaviness of dystopias, and even the melodrama of romances, settling into a quirky comfort zone.

Back to Coopers Chase

The story unfolds in Coopers Chase, a retirement village that looks more like a perfectly staged fantasy than a place to slow down (makes me want to live there when I am older).

This is our group of sleuthers: Elizabeth (Helen Mirren), ex-spy with sharp eyes (MI6, she said); Ron (Pierce Brosnan), the loud ex-union firebrand; Ibrahim (Ben Kingsley), psychiatrist turned philosopher; and Joyce (Celia Imrie), nurse with a soft spot for cake (sweet tooth our girl has!).

They meet to gossip over cold cases, but the hobby spins out of control when a very real murder lands practically in their backyard (then, make it two). Suddenly, it’s no longer just puzzles for amusement. This is about life, danger, and a touch of chaos, all filtered through wit and camaraderie.

Murder, but make it cozy

What surprised me is how the film never leans into gloom. Instead, it slips into a rhythm that feels playful and inviting. The killings keep the plot moving, but what remains until the very end is the chemistry between the four leads, the camaderie, and the affection.

Watching them conspire, tease, and piece things together feels less like solving a mystery and more like being welcomed into their circle, as if you've pulled up a chair at their table. The mystery unfolds with the ease of a board game on a wet afternoon, warm and little wicked.

Why The Thursday Murder Club works

What makes The Thursday Murder Club so comfortable is how it shows that suspense does not have to be heavy and comedy does not need to be forced. The humor flows smoothly, and the rhythm moves us along without rushing. On top of all that, the stellar cast exudes a lived-in warmth, like old friends telling each other stories.

The film occasionally pauses to impart a gentle truth (yeah, we did notice the importance of the migrant sideline story), but it never turns into a sermon. At its heart, The Thursday Murder Club is a pastime with which we can spend two good hours, with delightful companions that leave us lighter than we’d expect from a tale built on murder.

Rating with a touch of flair: Five out of five slices of cake shared over tea and conspiracies.