"The Thursday Murder Club" — the Agatha Christie trend continues

      The film is an adaptation of the first novel in Richard Osman’s eponymous series, which, in turn, was inspired by Agatha Christie’s “The Tuesday Night Club.”

      Altogether we have five main characters: Elizabeth (Helen Mirren), Ron (Pierce Brosnan), Ibrahim (Ben Kingsley), Joyce (Celia Imrie) and Donna De Freitas (Naomi Ackie). The names, to say the least, are familiar to everyone, except perhaps Naomi, whom you may have seen in the amusing sci‑fi film “Mickey 17” (18+).

      A classic detective story in a modern package

      The plot, as befits a classic cozy mystery, begins almost innocently: four retirees from an upscale retirement community meet once a week to discuss old unsolved murders. It’s all for the intellectual thrill and to keep their minds sharp. But one day a real crime occurs nearby, and the “club” gets a chance to put their theories into practice.

      The narrative unfolds unhurriedly, with a typically English sense of humour and a light touch of sarcasm. There are no car chases or blood — instead there is coziness, tea in porcelain cups and finely tuned dialogue where every line is a little barb. Columbus, known for “Home Alone” (0+) and “Harry Potter” (12+), gets the most out of the old‑fashioned format, creating an atmosphere of good‑natured irony and a gentle parody of the detectives of the last century.

      Strong actors and a little sadness under a layer of irony

      The cast is a particular pleasure. Helen Mirren is, as always, rock‑solid: her Elizabeth embodies intelligence, irony and hidden toughness. Pierce Brosnan seems to have finally allowed himself to laugh at his own “Bond” past. Ben Kingsley adds a touch of British primness and inner warmth, while Celia Imrie and Naomi Ackie deftly balance between the grotesque and sincerity.

      That said, the script doesn’t try to make the film “the next Christie.” It’s more about old age, memory and the attempt to preserve oneself in a world where youth is treated as currency. And, to be honest, that’s what makes The Thursday Murder Club feel alive. Beneath the mask of a light detective comedy lies a story about how people fear disappearing — and seek meaning by investigating other people’s mysteries.

      A finale without grandstanding

      The finale, as befits a British detective, is neatly tied up, without melodrama — with a slight smile and a quiet sense of closure. Was someone killed? Of course. But far more important is the question of who we all are when we cease to be needed.

      The film doesn’t open new horizons for the genre, but it delivers a rare coziness that’s seldom found in crime movies. The Thursday Murder Club is more about life than about death.

      Rating: 4/5, with extra points for the cast, British charm and perfectly calibrated tone.