Questions

What is the plot?

The movie "The Thursday Murder Club" begins with the introduction of a group of elderly amateur sleuths living in Cooper's Chase, a luxurious retirement village in a picturesque rural area. The group consists of Elizabeth Best, a retired MI6 spy played by Helen Mirren; Ron Ritchie, a former trade union leader played by Pierce Brosnan; Ibrahim Arif, a retired psychiatrist played by Ben Kingsley; and Joyce Meadowcroft, a retired nurse played by Celia Imrie. They meet regularly in the community room to analyze cold cases for fun.

One day, Joyce stumbles upon the group and is impressed by their work. Elizabeth invites Joyce to join them, and she quickly becomes an integral part of the group due to her high tolerance for gore. The group's activities are largely dismissed by the local police, except for PC Donna De Freitas, who occasionally provides them with information and takes their efforts seriously.

The story takes a dramatic turn when a co-owner of Cooper's Chase, Tony Curran, is murdered. Suspicion falls on the other co-owner, Ian Ventham, played by David Tennant, who has plans to bulldoze the retirement village to build luxury flats. Ventham's business rival, the victim, had been opposing these plans, making Ventham a prime suspect. The Thursday Murder Club decides to investigate the murder to clear Ventham's name and save their home.

As the club delves deeper into the case, they uncover various motives and suspects among the residents and staff of Cooper's Chase. They work closely with PC De Freitas, who provides them with official insights and evidence. The group discovers that several individuals had reasons to kill the victim, including disputes over land development and personal vendettas.

During their investigation, the club members use their unique skills to gather clues and piece together the events surrounding the murder. Elizabeth uses her spy training to gather information discreetly, Ron leverages his union experience to understand the business dynamics, Ibrahim analyzes the psychological aspects of the suspects, and Joyce uses her nursing skills to observe details that others might miss.

As the investigation unfolds, the club encounters several twists, including surprising alliances and hidden agendas among the suspects. They also face challenges from the police, who are skeptical of their amateur sleuthing. However, with PC De Freitas's support, they manage to stay involved in the case.

In a climactic confrontation, the Thursday Murder Club reveals the true identity of the killer. Through their combined efforts, they expose a complex web of motives and deceit that led to the murder. The killer is revealed to be someone close to the case, but not immediately suspected by the police.

The film concludes with the Thursday Murder Club having solved the murder, saved Cooper's Chase from demolition, and proved the value of their collective experience and wisdom. The movie ends on a positive note, highlighting the camaraderie and determination of the elderly sleuths as they continue their hobby of solving mysteries.

What is the ending?

⚠ Spoiler – click to reveal

At the end of The Thursday Murder Club (2025), the mystery resolves with John Grey confessing to the murder of Ian Ventham by administering a lethal dose of fentanyl. The Thursday Murder Club members successfully uncover the truth behind the murder, and the fate of the main characters is clarified as the story concludes.

Now, narrating the ending scene by scene in detail:

The climax unfolds as the Thursday Murder Club—Elizabeth Best, Ron Ritchie, Ibrahim Arif, and Joyce Meadowcroft—alongside PC Donna De Freitas, confront John Grey, a key figure connected to the land dispute and the murder investigation. Elizabeth presents her theory that John is responsible for Ian Ventham’s death. John initially resists but ultimately admits to killing Ian by giving him a massive dose of fentanyl, a powerful opioid, to stop his destructive plans for the retirement village and cemetery land.

This confession comes after the club pieces together the complex motives involving the three shareholders of the land, including Tony Curran, who opposes Ian’s scheme to demolish the retirement homes and replace them with an event center. The club’s investigation reveals the tension and greed driving the conflict, with Ian’s henchman and the criminal Bobby Tanner playing peripheral roles in the unfolding drama.

Following the confession, the film shows the resolution of the characters’ arcs:

  • Elizabeth Best, the retired spy, remains the sharp and composed leader of the club, her intelligence pivotal in solving the case.
  • Ron Ritchie, the retired union leader, continues to support the club’s efforts, his family dynamics touched upon through his son Jason, who is a washed-up boxer turned reality TV personality.
  • Ibrahim Arif, the retired psychiatrist, provides insight and calm throughout the investigation.
  • Joyce Meadowcroft, the retired nurse, newly added to the club, proves her value in the investigation and community.
  • PC Donna De Freitas gains confidence and respect within the police force by collaborating with the club.
  • John Grey, after his confession, faces the consequences of his actions, though the film focuses more on the club’s triumph than on legal proceedings.

The final scenes emphasize the club’s camaraderie and their continued commitment to solving mysteries, reinforcing their role as underestimated but capable sleuths within their retirement community.

This detailed ending highlights the resolution of the murder mystery, the fate of the main characters involved, and the restoration of peace to the retirement village.

Is there a post-credit scene?

⚠ Spoiler – click to reveal

Yes, the movie The Thursday Murder Club (2025) has a post-credits scene. In the director's cut, the post-credits sequence shows a humorous moment related to the characters' art classes in the house where they live. Specifically, the scene involves a demand for nude models during the art class, but the audience is spared seeing any actual nudity. This playful scene adds a lighthearted touch after the main story concludes.

What is the nature of the cold case the Thursday Murder Club initially investigates?

The cold case involves a woman from the 1970s who was stabbed before falling out of a window. Her boyfriend was cleared of any foul play but then suddenly disappeared, making the case mysterious and unresolved.

Who are the main antagonists involved in the land dispute threatening the retirement home?

The antagonists include Tony Curran (played by Geoff Bell), who opposes Ian Ventham (David Tennant) and his henchman Bogdan (Henry Lloyd-Hughes). They are involved in a bitter public battle over the land where the retirement home is located, with plans to demolish the homes and replace them with an event center, as well as renovate the cemetery for financial gain.

What role does the character Bobby Tanner play in the story?

Bobby Tanner, portrayed by Richard E. Grant, is a notorious criminal who has not been seen in years but is believed to possess valuable knowledge that could help crack the emerging mystery related to the land dispute and the new murder investigation.

How does police officer Donna de Freitas become involved with the Thursday Murder Club?

PC Donna de Freitas (Naomi Ackie) initially hesitates but becomes eager to join the club's investigation to escape her unfulfilling traffic stop duties. She wants to prove herself to the police force and works alongside the club, gaining information even from the bumbling DCI Chris Hudson (Daniel Mays).

What is the relationship between the Thursday Murder Club members and the new murder case?

The Thursday Murder Club, consisting of four retirees with diverse backgrounds (a retired spy, nurse, trade union official, and psychiatrist), usually solve cold cases for fun. However, when a new murder occurs on their doorstep linked to the land dispute, their casual sleuthing turns into a serious and dangerous investigation.

Is this family friendly?

The 2025 movie The Thursday Murder Club is rated PG-13, indicating it may not be suitable for young children without parental guidance. It is a comedy-crime-mystery film featuring four elderly protagonists solving murders, blending lighthearted and thrilling elements.

Potentially objectionable or upsetting aspects for children or sensitive viewers may include:

  • Murder and crime themes: The plot revolves around solving cold cases and a real murder, so there are references to death and crime investigation.
  • Mild suspense and thriller elements: The story involves a "whodunit" mystery that may include tense or suspenseful scenes.
  • Some mature thematic content: Given the PG-13 rating, there may be mild language, thematic elements, or situations that are not fully child-friendly, though the tone is generally light and comedic.

No detailed reports mention graphic violence, strong language, or explicit content, and the film is described as having dignity and charm with a focus on entertainment rather than intense drama. However, the murder mystery context itself might be unsettling for very young or sensitive children.

In summary, The Thursday Murder Club is family-friendly for older children and teens with parental discretion advised due to crime and mild suspense themes, but it is not aimed at young children or those sensitive to murder-related content.

Who dies?

⚠ Spoiler – click to reveal

Yes, several characters die in the 2025 film The Thursday Murder Club, and their deaths are central to the plot.

  1. Tony Curran
  2. Who: Tony Curran is a business partner involved with Cooper's Chase, the retirement home where much of the story takes place.
  3. How and Why: He is found bludgeoned to death. Initially, suspicion falls on Ian Ventham, his business partner, who would benefit financially from Tony's death. However, it is later revealed that Tony was killed by Bogdan, the Polish groundskeeper at Cooper's Chase. Bogdan claims he killed Tony in self-defense after Tony attacked him when Bogdan tried to retrieve his passport, which had been confiscated by the owners to keep him working illegally. The exact details of the confrontation remain somewhat ambiguous.

  4. When: The murder occurs early in the story, triggering the main investigation by the Thursday Murder Club.

  5. Ian Ventham

  6. Who: Ian Ventham is Tony Curran's business partner, who wants to demolish Cooper's Chase to build luxury flats.
  7. How and Why: Ian dies suddenly in front of a crowd of pensioners, removing himself from suspicion in Tony's murder. The cause of his death is not detailed in the sources, but it is implied to be natural or sudden, not a murder.

  8. When: Ian's death happens after Tony's murder and before the resolution of the case.

  9. D.I. Penny Gray

  10. Who: Penny Gray is a retired police officer who originally started the Thursday Murder Club.
  11. How and Why: She is in a coma in the hospice wing and does not actively participate in the investigation. Her condition is mentioned but not detailed as a death within the timeline of the film.
  12. When: She is already in a coma during the events of the film.

No other character deaths are explicitly mentioned in the available plot summaries. The main murder mystery revolves around Tony Curran's death, with Bogdan as the revealed killer acting in self-defense under desperate circumstances. Ian Ventham's death is a plot point but not a murder. The film focuses on the amateur sleuthing of the elderly protagonists as they unravel these events.