The Thursday Murder Club: A Poignant Departure from Knives Out’s Playful Mystery Formula
Despite sharing similarities with the Knives Out franchise, Netflix’s adaptation of Richard Osman’s novel The Thursday Murder Club is poised to stand out due to its more poignant and sincere tone. Directed by Chris Columbus, the film follows a group of elderly retirement home residents who attempt to solve cold cases and find themselves in the midst of an active murder investigation.
Compared to Rian Johnson’s Knives Out movies, which are known for their playful and satirical take on the murder mystery genre, The Thursday Murder Club is a more serious and moving affair. The film features a star-studded cast, including Helen Mirren, Pierce Brosnan, Ben Kingsley, David Tennant, and Celia Imrie, and while it shares some similarities with the Knives Out franchise in terms of tone, it has a unique narrative that sets it apart.
Unlike the Knives Out movies, which are notable for their clever wit and tongue-in-cheek humor, The Thursday Murder Club tackles more mature themes such as ageism, living with dementia, and medical assistance in dying. The plot is heavily influenced by Agatha Christie’s works, particularly her later Poirot stories, which have an elegiac quality to them.
The film’s poignant tone, which is uncommon in the genre, is expected to make it stand out among recent murder mystery movies. The ending, which is more likely to elicit tears than laughter, is a departure from the typical comedic tone of the genre.
With a unique narrative, a talented cast, and a poignant tone, The Thursday Murder Club is well-positioned to emerge from the shadow of the Knives Out franchise and become a standout in the murder mystery genre.