It’s a murder mystery beloved by amateur sleuths, so it’s no surprise that the Thursday Murder Club is full of Easter Eggs and references for it’s eagle-eyed audience to dissect.
The film, adapted from the best-selling Richard Osman book, was released on Netflix yesterday with people quickly praising it for quirky story-telling.
The cast includes stars Dame Helen Mirren, Pierce Brosnan, Sir Ben Kinsley and Celia Imrie as ‘geriatric sleuths’ who solve murders from their retirement home.
The book sold 10 million copies worldwide, and released a further three novels after that.
Since it’s popular release, the game show comedian has written an additional three books, including 2023’s The Last Devil To Die and which topped the New York Times Bestseller list.
It was no surprise then, when Steven Spielberg ‘s company Amblin Entertainment bagged the rights to the story in 2020, with production beginning in 2023.
Excitement was further fuelled when the cast, brimming with eminent acting names, was revealed.
Among them, David Tenant, as Ian Ventham, Helen Mirren , as Elizabeth Best, and Pierce Brosnan , as Ron Ritchie – with Spielberg himself acting as producer.
Ears pricked – movie and book lovers alike have delighted in combing the film for Easter eggs pertaining to subtle references in the book, mentions of production’s personal lives and even some of the actors former roles.
Excitement was further fuelled when the cast, brimming with eminent acting names, was revelaed. Among them, David Tenant, as Ian Ventham, Helen Mirren 9pictured) as Elizabeth Best, and Pierce Brosnan , as Ron Ritchie – with Spielberg himself acting as producer
ROYAL REFERENCES
Upon it’s release, watchers were quick to spot a subtle reference made to one of Helen Mirren’s previous roles.
With an illustrious career, packed with life-changing roles, Mirren has starred as a plethora of different characters; a noncomformist Catholic, Marcella, in 1984’s Cal; a professional soldier Colonel Katherine Powell in 2015’s Eye in the Sky; and notably, as the late Queen Elizabeth in 2006’s The Queen.
The latter earned her widespread critical and popular acclaim, and has even received a nod in Osman’s new film.
During the film, Mirren, as Elizabeth, is seen dressing up as part of scheme undertaken by her and fellow member The Thursday Murder Club, Joyce, plated by Celia Imrie, to infiltrate a police station.
As Mirren is seen leaving the house, dressed in a headscarf and walking stick, her husband, Stephen, played by Jonathan Pryce laughs.
Helen Mirren’s role as the late Queen Elizabeth II has received a nod in the The Thursday Murder Club (pictured in The Queen)
‘What on Earth are you wearing?’ before adding ‘You look just like the Queen!’ to which Elizabeth asks: ‘Do I?’
As the scene continues, Stephen then refers to the late Queen’s funeral, calling it a ‘sad day’.
The comments prompts a shocked Elizabeth to ask whether Stephen, who’s character suffers with dementia, can recall the day in detail.
‘Of course I do,’ he says. ‘September 19th, 2022. We watched it on the telly. You were obsessed with the security arrangements.’
The reference is particularly poignant given the two actor’s previous roles in The Queen, where Mirren gave her Oscar-winning performance of the late royal.
Meanwhile Pryce, who acted as Prince Phillip in The Crown.
The setting of the retirement home, Coopers Chase, also has a royal link.
The Englefield Estate is where the Princess of Wales’ sister Pippa Middleton married James Matthews in 2017.
ROLE FOR RICHARD’S WIFE
Movie buffs have also picked up on a role for Richard’s wife Ingrid Oliver.
The actress, 48, tied the knot with Osman in 2022 after they met on his BBC Two game show House Of Games.
Since the early days of their romance, people online have gushed over their ‘un-showbizzy’ nuptial and anecdotes about their authentic connection.
Now husband and wife of nearly three years, it seems Ingrid has made a special appearance in the film.
Ingrid Oliver, 48, who tied the knot with Osman in 2022 after they met on his BBC Two game show House Of Games two years’ earlier, earned celebrity status after wedding the presenter
Movie buffs have also picked up on a cameo with writer of the book’s wife making an brief appearance in the film. ?Ingrid Oliver pictured as Joanna
In a picture posted to Ingrid’s Instagram story, she is seen in a production shot alongside Celia Imrie playing Joyce.
Dressed in a navy blue suit with a striped shirt, Ingrid looks smart but glamorous in the shot.
Ingrid plays Joanna, Joyce Meadowcroft’s financier daughter.
Captioning the picture, she wrote: ‘Me and mum’, alongside an emoji of a heart.
The actress-cum-comedian was there by her husband’s side last week as he celebrated the premiere of the film in Leicester Square, Osman later calling the night a ‘dream’ on social media.
The couple are now the image of marital bliss and live together in the leafy borough of Chiswick in west London.
Sharing a stunning snap of their wedding, Osman called it at the time: ‘The most magical, joyful day on Saturday with my beautiful wife. Surrounded by wonderful friends and family, a day full of love and laughter. We’re so, so happy’.
FAMOUS CAMEOS
Elsewhere, another famous face to have bagged herself a cameo in the film is Dancing On Ice Champion, Vanessa Bauer.
The 29-year-old skate siren will appear among the glitzy cast playing herself.
She is seen gliding along the ice rink alongside Tom Ellis, who plays ex-boxer turned TV personality Jason Ritchie in the film.
Elsewhere, another famous face to have bagged herself a cameo in the film is Dancing On Ice Champion, Vanessa Bauer (pictured)
In the film, Ritchie scores a television job on Dancing on Ice line-up.
Seeing herself powering around the rink will likely be a full circle moment for Vanessa, who wrapped up 19 years on air earlier this year.
She had been on the show for nearly 10 years, having started in 2017 before going on to win once and reaching the final on six other occasions.
But in 2023, she decided she wanted to pursue acting, revealing that she was ‘keen to do movies’ and had been taking daily lessons.
Bruce Springsteen T-shirt
In one scene, Pierce Brosnan wears a Bruce Springsteen T-shirt while chatting to Ibrahim.
The James Bond actor is known as a big fan of the US rocker. Writing in 2019, he said: ‘I have been a devoted fan of Bruce Springsteen since Born to Run came out in 1975. I left drama school (The Drama Centre) in 1976 … and got my first job straight out the door at York Theatre Royal as acting ASM (assistant stage manager).
In one scene, Pierce Brosnan wears a Bruce Springsteen T-shirt while chatting to Ibrahim
‘I spent six months there, and then was out of work for the next six months. I would get up in the morning, make some coffee, put on Born to Run, and start writing letters to various theaters up and down the country looking for work.
‘His music has carried me though some low times and heady times. When Keely and I got married in Ireland, Bruce and Patti made a disc of their song ‘Should I fall behind wait for me’ that we played at our first dance that magical night under an Irish full moon and fireworks that lit up the night sky’.
Pierce’s son Dylan, 28, also worked on the Bruce Springsteen documentary Western Stars.
TCM NECKLACES
In the film, Elizabeth, Ibrahim and Ron all where ‘TCM necklaces’ – a reference of course, to the Thursday Murder Club.
This is an addition to the film that isn’t referenced in the novel.
RELEASE DATE
Perhaps the most obvious nod is that the film was released on a Thursday – allowing its audience to create their own Thursday Murder Clubs.
OSMAN’S MUSIC TASTE
Richard Osman, who has a pop culture podcast The Rest is Entertainment, is known for his musical taste and talent.
And it’s clear that influence has carried its way into the film’s soundtrack.
Music in the film includes two tracks by Cat Stevens, Richard has previously said that the songs by the British singer songwriter ‘make him cry more than anything’.
DEVIL DRAMA
Fans have been tickled by scenes from the movie, which stars David Tennant and Tom Ellis having a terse shouting match outside a church. Many couldn’t help but giggle, as the duo have both played devilish creatures on hit shows.
Tom – who in the film plays Jason Ritchie – was the protagonist of eponymous Lucifer, as the charming embodiment of the fallen angel.
Elsewhere, David is the star of fantasy comedy television series Good Omens, plays Crowley – a demon who has lived on Earth since the dawn of creation.
The Thursday Murder Club viewers hail ‘exceptional’ film as ‘a masterpiece’ as it finally hits Netflix – and are already begging for sequels
The Thursday Murder Club viewers are already begging for a sequel after its highly-anticipated release today.
The Netflix film, which is based on the best selling novel by TV’s Richard Osman, stars Dame Helen Mirren, Pierce Brosnan, Sir Ben Kinsley and Celia Imrie as ‘geriatric sleuths’ who solve murders from their retirement home.
The book sold 10 million copies worldwide, and released a further three novels after that.
The film dropped on the streaming platform on Wednesday and it has already garnered plenty of attention on social media, with critics claiming they love it.
Taking to X, now fans have shared their excitement over the movie and they are desperate for sequels to drop.
Many begged for more film adaptations in line with the novels, while also praising the ‘excellent cast’.
The Thursday Murder Club viewers are already begging for a sequel to the first after its highly-anticipated release last week
The film stars Dame Helen Mirren, Pierce Brosnan, Sir Ben Kinsley and Celia Imrie as ‘geriatric sleuths’ who solve murders from their retirement home
One person declared: ‘Just watched #ThursdayMurderClub on Netflix. Absolutely loved the film adaptation – excellent cast and followed the book well! Really hope the next books will continue to be made as well – loved it!’
Another commented: ‘Just finished the #thursdaymurderclub movie and it’s a masterpiece. Was as enjoyable as the books. Must be delighted. Roll on film number 2. I hope it’s always on (ode to Tuesdays podcast) #therestisentertainment.’
‘Just a few minutes into #ThursdayMurderClub and I already know that I want to live in a place like that, if I live until I’m old,’ a third joked.
Another said: ‘Is it too early to ask when the next #thursdaymurderclub is coming out. I only had doubts about Pierce Brosnan but thought the whole thing was exceptional.’
A fifth wrote: ‘Just watched your fabulous #ThursdayMurderClub on I’m so happy for you. It was an amazing thing to see come to life after reading your books. Cannot wait for more instalments.’
It comes after critics shared their reviews on the popular film, with The Independent’s Clarisse Loughrey claiming the script dumbed down the novel’s mystery and failed to make the most of it’s all star cast, giving the film two stars.
‘No matter how enticing the prospect may sound on paper, and even with the efforts of director Chris Columbus (of Mrs Doubtfire and fame), the whole affair is so flimsy you’ll lose nothing from watching it on an iPad while cooking dinner’.
‘Each clue is presented plainly, legibly, and without even a hint of enigma, at one point simply written out on a Post-it and then shown directly to the audience.
People were begging for more film adaptations to match the novels, as well as praising the ‘excellent cast’
Taking to X, fans have shared their excitement over the movie and are now desperate for sequels to drop
It comes after critics shared their reviews on the popular film, with The Independent’s Clarisse Loughrey claiming the script dumbed down the novel’s mystery and failed to make the most of it’s all star cast, giving the film two stars
She added: ‘The cast have been seemingly told to play their scenes so broadly and turned out towards the audience that you half-expect Kingsley to ask us to kindly move Colonel Mustard to the library’.
Meanwhile Radio Times’ David Brown was more complimentary in his three star review, but also pointed out that the film appeared to be better suited to TV than a movie.
‘For what we have here is a tale that, were it to be deprived of its stellar cast, would fit snugly in the weekend schedules alongside the murderous yet somehow comforting goings-on in the likes of St Mary Mead or Midsomer’.
He said the story had ‘touches of pathos’ which despite being streamlined for the big screen were ‘still affecting’.
‘These moments may be fleeting, but the odd rumination on belonging and mortality add some welcome emotional shades to what can, at times, be a broad take on the source material’.
‘Still, a couple of hours spent in the company of the key quartet is never less than comradely, and with a bookshelf full of subsequent cases just waiting to be dramatised, it’s unlikely that we’ve seen the last of our feisty famous four’.
Another reviewer to compare the film to a TV drama was The Sun’s Dulcie Pearce, however they did not consider this a criticism in their glowing four star review.
‘Helen Mirren shines as feisty retired spy Elizabeth, Pierce Brosnan as ex-union man Ron, and Ben Kingsley as ex-psychiatrist Ibrahim, while Celia Imrie plays new resident Joyce, a retired nurse now at a loose end’.
‘The tone is whimsical, full of ITV Sunday night charm – and while sleepy in its rhythm, the film is peppered with sly humour. The cast’s charisma carries the quieter moments, though some may find their dynamic more gripping than the murder.’
The book sold 10 million copies worldwide, and released a further three novels after that
The film dropped on the streaming platform on August 22 and has garnered plenty of attention on social media, with critics claiming they love it
In another three star review The Guardian described the movie as ‘funny if slightly bland’ and while comparing the elderly characters to senior-citizen X-Men, said the film at times veered into being a kid’s TV show
However The Telegraph was less complimentary and gave the movie two stars ‘Steven Spielberg’s production company snapped up the film rights even before the first novel had been published.
Chris Columbus, of Home Alone and the first two Harry Potter films fame, is the director. Note, too, that it was financed by Netflix: no Scrooges in budgetary matters. So why, then, has the film been carried off with all the cinematic flair of a Sunday night ITV2 serial from 2006?’.
In another three star review The Guardian described the movie as ‘funny if slightly bland’ and while comparing the elderly characters to senior-citizen X-Men, said the film at times veered into being a kid’s TV show.
Peter Bradshaw wrote: ‘Now it has been adapted as a funny and likable, if slightly bland, comedy-drama for Netflix, which as one character amusingly and pre-emptively comments, feels just like a Sunday teatime TV crime drama’.
‘There’s a fair bit to enjoy here, with the club sometimes resembling a kind of senior-citizen X-Men group whose collective superpower is invisibility; old people can do things without people noticing them’.
‘When the plot has to accelerate to the point of pure daftness in its final act, the movie resembles not so much a Sunday night crime serial, but a weekday afternoon kids’ TV show. Nothing necessarily wrong with that of course’.
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