Ever wondered how a beloved book translates to the big screen? The Thursday Murder Club movie brought Richard Osman’s characters to life, but did it stay true to every thrilling twist? We’ve uncovered the biggest changes from page to Netflix. Which version do you think solved the murder mystery better?

The highly anticipated Netflix adaptation of Richard Osman’s bestselling novel, “The Thursday Murder Club,” has captivated audiences, yet keen observers of the original text will note several significant deviations from the beloved book. While the film largely retained the charm and wit of its literary predecessor, the creative team behind the “Netflix Adaptation” made distinct choices that shaped the on-screen narrative, offering a fresh perspective on the compelling murder mystery.

One of the most remarkable aspects of the film was its star-studded ensemble, featuring powerhouses like Helen Mirren as Elizabeth Best, Pierce Brosnan as Ron Ritchie, Ben Kingsley as Ibrahim Arif, and Celia Imrie as Joyce Meadowcroft. The filmmaker recounted the extraordinary experience of having their dream cast agree to participate, a testament to the novel’s appeal and the intriguing premise of “The Thursday Murder Club,” bringing the endearing characters to life with remarkable fidelity, despite the narrative changes.

At its core, both the book and the “Netflix Adaptation” revolve around the eponymous club, a group of sharp-witted pensioners residing in Coopers Chase retirement village who find themselves embroiled in a local murder investigation. The foursome, driven by a thirst for justice and a knack for amateur sleuthing, hilariously inserts themselves into the police’s efforts to uncover the truth behind the deaths of Tony Curran and Ian Ventham, initiating a thrilling “Murder Mystery” that keeps viewers guessing.

However, the portrayal of Tony Curran’s character and his connections to Coopers Chase presents one of the most notable “Book to Movie Differences.” In the film, Curran is depicted as a part-owner of the retirement home alongside Ventham and Bobby Tanner, a character not present in the novel. Furthermore, the movie introduces Aunt Maud, Curran’s aunt residing at Coopers Chase, a character entirely absent from Richard Osman’s original narrative, thus altering the dynamics of Curran’s involvement and motivation.

Another significant divergence emerges with the mysterious photograph discovered alongside Curran’s body. While present in both versions, its contents vary. The “Netflix Adaptation” shows Curran and drug dealer Bobby Tanner with a third individual cropped out. Crucially, in Richard Osman’s book, the third person in the photograph is Ron’s son, Jason Ritchie, a key piece of evidence that directly implicates him in the early stages of the “Murder Mystery” and sets up a different line of inquiry for “The Thursday Murder Club.”

The revelation of Jason Ritchie as the mystery man in the photo remains consistent across both the book and the film, making him a primary suspect in Curran’s murder. However, the nature of Jason’s alibi differs significantly. The movie cleverly utilizes a timestamped selfie, depicting Jason in bed with Ventham’s wife, to clear his name, providing a modern twist to his alibi. This particular “Book to Movie Differences” streamlines the narrative for the screen, diverging from the more intricate alibi presented in the novel.

Ultimately, the identity of Tony Curran’s killer, Bogdan, is consistent in both the “Netflix Adaptation” and the book. Yet, their fates diverge dramatically in the climax of the “Murder Mystery.” In Richard Osman’s novel, Bogdan manages to evade justice, a darker, more ambiguous ending. The film, however, opts for a more conclusive resolution, showing Bogdan’s arrest, which provides a more satisfying, albeit altered, closure for the audience of “The Thursday Murder Club” film.

These carefully crafted narrative adjustments highlight the challenges and creative liberties often taken when translating beloved literary works to the screen. While the essence of Richard Osman’s “The Thursday Murder Club” endures, understanding these “Book to Movie Differences” enriches the experience for both loyal readers and new fans, offering a deeper appreciation for the adaptation process and the nuances of storytelling across different mediums, especially for a popular “Murder Mystery” of this caliber.