The Thursday Murder Club: Book vs. Netflix Movie — My Spoiler-Filled Breakdown

If you love cozy mysteries with heart, Richard Osman’s The Thursday Murder Club (2020) probably sits near the top of your TBR. I read it, I adored it, and then—yes—I watched the book adaptation on Netflix which had quite a star studded cast. If you’re trying to decide whether to read the book first or just settle in for the movie, here’s my honest, book-lover’s take on what worked, what was lost, and why the cast nearly carries the whole thing. Also, in the end, let me know who won the Thursday Murder Club book vs movie debate?

Short recap: why the book works (and why I loved it)

Richard Osman’s series debut is brilliant because it’s more than a whodunit: it’s about friendship, aging with purpose, and the surprises that come from unlikely sleuths. Elizabeth, Joyce, Ron and Ibrahim meet in Cooper’s Chase retirement village to solve cold cases—then a real murder draws them in. The novel is layered, warm, and surprisingly dark in places; it treats older characters with dignity while giving readers a complex jigsaw of red herrings and emotional payoffs.

What the Netflix movie does right

First — casting. Helen Mirren (Elizabeth), Pierce Brosnan (Ron), Ben Kingsley (Ibrahim) and Celia Imrie (Joyce) are delightful together. The movie looks gorgeous: the production design turns Cooper’s Chase into a Downton-meets-retirement-utopia that’s visually irresistible. Director Chris Columbus leans into the cozy, comfort-watch vibe—perfect for a tea-and-biscuit evening. If you haven’t seen it: it premiered on Netflix August 28th, 2025 and it’s an entertaining watch on its own merits.

Biggest book vs movie changes you should know (spoilers)

The mystery gets simplified

The novel’s many subplots and suspects are pared down. Some threads (like Turkish Gianni) are removed and others get merged—Bobby Tanner becomes a more overt villain in the film than he is in the book.

Jason Ritchie becomes a much smaller arc

In the book, Ron’s son Jason is a messy, tabloid-soaked suspect with real stakes. The film trims that complexity and gives him a soap-operatic alibi instead—less tension, more convenience.

Emotional weight gets lightened

Heartbreaky arcs—Father Mackey’s tragic backstory and Bernard’s quietly devastating storyline—are reduced or cut. That means less gut-punch moments than readers loved.

Boden’s reveal is softened

Book Boden’s confession (and the moral punch it lands) becomes a more sympathetic “accident” in the movie—a tonal shift that changes how you feel about justice and culpability.

Elizabeth is less ruthless on screen

Book-Elizabeth is a crafty, sometimes Machiavellian force. Helen Mirren’s Elizabeth is charming, brilliant and likable—but the film tones down some of the shadowier edges of her manipulations.

Tiny wins for the film

Ibrahim gets a sweet personal moment in the closing montage (a small but lovely addition), and the actors’ chemistry makes the group feel as iconic as a senior “Avengers” team.

Who should watch the movie — and who should read first?

• Watch the movie first if you want a charming, star-studded cozy mystery that’s visually sumptuous and easy to enjoy. The film stands well as comfort viewing, but readers will miss the depth.
• Read the book first if you want the full jigsaw puzzle, richer subplots, and the emotional weight that Osman packs into the pages.

Final Thoughts

I loved both versions—genuinely—but for different reasons. The Netflix movie is a charming, starry, feel-good take that makes for excellent viewing. The book, however, is messier and richer; it’s the version that’ll haunt you and make you think about the small tragedies and joys that shape us. If you’ve read the book, go into the film with an open heart (and a little forgiveness for the cuts). If you saw the film first, read the book next—you’ll discover a thousand tiny pieces the movie didn’t have room for.

Tell me: did you read the book before watching? Which subplot did you miss most (I’m team Bernard)? Who won the Thursday Murder Club book vs movie debate? Drop your thoughts in the comments below.