Saagar Kote
Directed by Chris Columbus, Netflix’s ‘The Thursday Murder Club’ is a murder mystery comedy drama film based on the eponymous novel by Richard Osman. It is an intriguing tale of a group of individuals obsessed with murders and deductions. Elizabeth Best (Helen Mirren), Ron Ritchie (Pierce Brosnan), Ibrahim Arif (Ben Kingsley), and Joyce Meadowcroft (Celia Imrie) form the group of murder enthusiasts who move on from casual murder solving to a real case, which challenges their intellect.
Despite their knowledge and sleuthing skills, the main characters encounter various challenges as they attempt to solve the mystery. The themes of violence, intelligence, group dynamics, and passion are portrayed by the narrative in intricate ways. The visual styles of the film also lead to engaging scenarios wherein the characters must use their skills to achieve their objective. If the ideas, style, characters, and vibe of the drama entertained you, these movies, similar to ‘‘The Thursday Murder Club,’ will bring out the detective in you.
12. Enola Holmes (2020)
Based on ‘The Case of the Missing Marquess: An Enola Holmes Mystery’ by Nancy Springer, Netflix’s murder mystery film ‘Enola Holmes’ is helmed by Harry Bradbeer. It is a riveting tale of a young genius girl named Enola Holmes (Millie Bobby Brown). In this world, she is the relatively unknown sister of the famous Holmes brothers, Sherlock (Henry Cavill) and Mycroft (Sam Claflin). Trained in sleuthing, battle skills, and puzzles by her mother, Eudoria, the teenager becomes embroiled in a puzzle when her mother goes missing from their huge family home in the countryside.
Armed only with her mind and a sense of adventure, she goes on a journey of self-discovery, love, and murder. As she explores the realities of the outside world, she is challenged by various players. Akin to ‘The Thursday Murder Club,’ it has elements of mystery, comedy, skills, sleuthing, and an obsession with solving cases. Characters in both stories are forced to confront danger while solving cases, while also looking to prove their worth. Despite the Holmes drama being set in a different time period, it shares a spiritual and visual connection with the Helen Mirren starrer.
11. The Kid Detective (2020)
Directed by Evan Morgan, ‘The Kid Detective’ is a Canadian mystery drama film that deals with ideas of skills, redemption, and purpose. It follows the life of Abe Applebaum (Adam Brody), who has been interested in solving mysteries and cases from a young age. However, well into his thirties, he hasn’t achieved a lot of success in his life, leading an existence of intrigue, and still trying to solve petty crimes. The whole scenario changes when a girl named Caroline (Sophie Nélisse) brings him a challenging case that involves the murder of her boyfriend. While navigating the mystery, he realizes that it might be an opportunity to prove himself. Like ‘The Thursday Murder Club,’ it has elements of suspense and similar tonal-visual aspects. Characters in both films try to solve cases that challenge them in hitherto unseen ways, while also dealing with the dangers involved. The idea of walking into the unknown is a common theme in both stories.
10. Death on the Nile (2022)
Based on the eponymous novel by Agatha Christie, the murder mystery adventure film ‘Death on the Nile’ is a story of revenge, violence, selfishness, and the intrigue of the human soul. Directed by Kenneth Branagh, whose portrayal of Hercule Poirot adds to the flavor of the film, it is a sequel to ‘Murder on the Orient Express’ by the same director. The narrative chronicles the mysterious death of a woman on a cruise ship called the “S. S. Karnak.”
As the atmospherics and the landscapes of Egypt converge on the protagonist, he must solve the mystery of death while dealing with suspicious individuals. Despite being set in a different time period, it resembles the themes of ‘The Thursday Murder Club,’ due to its portrayal of sleuthing skills. Characters in both films try to solve mysteries that test their intellect and their limitations. Both films feature characters who try to hide their intentions, which adds a layer of intrigue.
9. A Simple Favor (2018)
The mystery drama film ‘A Simple Favor’ is helmed by Paul Feig and is based on the eponymous novel by Darcey Bell. It chronicles the intertwining lives of Stephanie Smothers (Anna Kendrick) and Emily Nelson (Blake Lively), who befriend each other because their kids go to the same school. What starts as a casual friendship soon turns into a chaotic tale of secrets, deaths, and deception that turns their world upside down. When Emily seemingly goes missing, Stephanie realizes that there are deeper mysteries involved. Like ‘The Thursday Murder Club,’ it contains elements of mystery, while also involving light-hearted moments. Characters in both films find themselves in previously unseen situations, which test their skills and intelligence.
8. Murder on the Orient Express (2017)
‘Murder on the Orient Express’ is a murder mystery drama film directed by Kenneth Branagh, whose portrayal of Hercule Poirot adds to the intensity of the narrative. The protagonist tries to solve a shocking case of murder while traveling on a train called “The Orient Express” in 1934. Set in an intriguing time period and based on the eponymous novel by Agatha Christie, the film deals with ideas of redemption, revenge, secrets, lies, and the fragility of the human condition. The visual elements of murder and the obsession of the main character connect it to ‘The Thursday Murder Club’ and its intriguing characters. Both stories deal with murders that test the minds and souls of the main characters, while also situating them in webs of deception.
7. Confess, Fletch (2022)
Based on the eponymous novel by Gregory Mcdonald, the crime drama film ‘Confess, Fletch’ is an intriguing story of a man named Irwin Maurice “Fletch” Fletcher (Jon Hamm). Helmed by Greg Mottola, it explores the life of the protagonist, who gets embroiled in a murder case while being hired by an Italian billionaire to find the whereabouts of his stolen art collection. The main character finds himself in an ordeal when he has to simultaneously solve the mystery of the missing items of value, while also trying to prove his innocence to the authorities. Akin to ‘The Thursday Murder Club,’ it features elements of comedy while also dealing with violence. Both stories are character-based dramas that focus on the skills, limitations, and personalities of the main characters, who face more than they bargained for. The spiritual connection between the two films is forged by visual flavor and tonal elements.
6. Murder Mystery 2 (2023)
Directed by Jeremy Garelick, Netflix’s mystery drama film ‘Murder Mystery 2’ is a tale of humor, suspense, death, love, and deception. It is a sequel to ‘Murder Mystery,’ helmed by Kyle Newacheck. Based on characters created by James Vanderbilt, it continues the adventures of Nick Spitz (Adam Sandler) and Audrey Spitz (Jennifer Aniston), the couple who solve murders. When they are invited by an Indian king named Vikram for his wedding.
However, the event turns into a chaotic mess when the king is kidnapped. This leads the main characters into a web of deception, secrets, death, and love that threatens their lives and challenges their skills. On the lines of ‘The Thursday Murder Club,’ it deals with characters who are obsessed with solving mysteries, while also being challenged in ways not seen before. Both stories mix humor in creative ways with the elements of sleuthing and danger, which connect them on a greater level.
5. Murder Mystery (2019)
Powered by the portrayals of Nick Spitz by Adam Sandler and Audrey Spitz by Jennifer Aniston, Netflix’s murder mystery comedy drama film ‘Murder Mystery’ is an engaging tale that follows the main couple as they go on holiday to Europe. However, on their holiday, Nick and Audrey face unexpected challenges and threats when a murder occurs. What starts as a simple vacation soon turns into an intriguing tale of deception and lies, which forces the protagonists to put their sleuthing skills to use. In ways similar to ‘The Thursday Murder Club,’ it features the idea of common people solving complicated murders. Both stories blend humor and mystery in intricate ways, while also dealing with the redemption of the main characters.
4. Clue (1985)
Based on the board game of the same name by Anthony E. Pratt, the murder mystery film ‘Clue’ is helmed by Jonathan Lynn. Often considered a classic in the genre, it chronicles the happenings in an isolated mansion in the New England region of America. After a man named Boddy (Lee Ving) is found dead in the large building, the six guests are drawn into a complex mystery that tests their survival. Whether or not the guests solve the murder before it is too late forms the nucleus of the story. Resembling ‘The Thursday Murder Club,’ it deals with hidden motives, deceptions, and revelations that challenge the characters. Both films blend humor and murder in intriguing ways, while also dealing with interesting characters. The visual styles and narrative choices also connect the two stories on a spiritual level.
3. See How They Run (2022)
‘See How They Run’ is a murder mystery comedy drama film directed by Tom George. It follows the chaotic investigation into the murder of an American director named Leo Köpernick (Adrien Brody) during his foray into the world of British theater. Inspector George Stoppard (Sam Rockwell) and Constable Stalker (Saoirse Ronan) go beyond their limitations in hilarious ways to solve the mystery and also redeem their careers as cops in the harsh world of London in 1953. Despite being set in a different time period, the film is spiritually and thematically connected to the world of ‘The Thursday Murder Club’ due to its portrayal of eccentric characters, hidden motivations, and the element of characters facing unexpected challenges. The influence of Agatha Christie is visible in both stories.
2. Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery (2022)
Netflix’s murder mystery drama ‘Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery’ is directed by Rian Johnson, and continues the saga of Benoit Blanc (Daniel Craig), set up in ‘Knives Out’ by the same director. It follows the protagonist as he becomes embroiled in a murder at an isolated island belonging to a billionaire named Miles Bron (Edward Norton). What starts as a story of fun and adventure soon becomes a case of betrayal, lies, identities, and redemption. Akin to ‘The Thursday Murder Club,’ it deals with eccentric characters who try to solve murder, while also featuring hilarious moments. The visual styles of both stories are complementary, connecting them on a greater level. Both stories feature moments that challenge characters in unexpected ways.
1. Knives Out (2019)
Directed by Rian Johnson, the murder mystery drama film ‘Knives Out’ deals with the aftermath of the death of an old and famous writer named Harlan Thrombey (Christopher Plummer). At the grand estate house of the famous man, his family members converge to grieve the death of the patriarch, but the mystery behind the death soon puts them under the radar of the brilliant detective Benoit Blanc (Daniel Craig), who attempts to unravel the reasons and the culprit behind the death.
Harlan’s nurse, Marta Cabrera (Ana de Armas), also finds herself in a desperate battle for survival, as the secretive family members battle to save their wealth and legacy. On the lines of ‘The Thursday Murder Club,’ it deals with the idea of ordinary people finding themselves in dangerous scenarios, while also dealing with hidden motivations and the brilliance of characters who use their sleuthing skills. The visual styles, the atmospherics, and the motivations of the characters connect the stories on a spiritual level.
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