Tag: Crime

The Thursday Murder Club Coming To Netflix Thursday August 28, 2025

2025   Netflix

Rated:  PG-13

Length:  1 hr  58min

Comedy ~ Crime ~ Mystery ~ Thriller

Directed by:  Chris Columbus

Starring:  Helen Mirren, Pierce Brosnan, Ben Kingsley, and Celia Imrie

We’re The Thursday Murder Club

FROM NETFLIX TUDUM:

The newest resident of Coopers Chase retirement village, Joyce (Celia Imrie), learns about the Thursday Murder Club the same way the audience does: while giving her daughter a tour of the grounds, they admire the sprawling gardens, the painting and archery classes, and even the jigsaw room. But when she opens the door expecting to find seniors hunched over puzzle pieces, she instead finds the members of the titular club poring over photos of a grisly cold case from the 1970s. Joyce, a recent widow in search of community, is in luck, The Thursday Murder Club needs someone with medical expertise, and with Joyce’s past career as a trauma nurse (as well as her offering of delectable sponge cake), she earns temporary membership.

Helen Mirren, Sir Ben Kingsley, Pierce Brosnan, and Celia Imrie in ‘The Thursday Murder Club’
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Based on the bestselling book by Richard Osman, The Thursday Murder Club is adapted by Katy Brand and Suzanne Heathcote and directed by Chris Columbus (Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone). Osman was inspired to write the novel after visiting his mother’s retirement village and pondering the expectation “that you’ve reached a certain stage in your life and that’s it,” he says. “The Thursday Murder Club have lived these extraordinary lives. Take these people who are underestimated, who have these incredible skills, put them together, and they can achieve anything.”

The film takes place at a quaint country estate and stars some of the UK’s most renowned actors. Helen Mirren (The Queen, Gosford Park) plays ex-M15 spy Elizabeth, the steadfast leader of the crew. Speaking to Tudum, Mirren, who described the novel as “unputdownable,” immediately connected with Elizabeth, noting how intuitive the process of getting into character was. “For once I thought, ‘I’m just going to be myself,’ ” says the Academy Award-winning actor. “The best Elizabeth I can be is just to be who I am.”

Sir Ben Kingsley and Pierce Brosnan in ‘The Thursday Murder Club’

Pierce Brosnan (The World is Not Enough, Mamma Mia!) plays good-humored former labor organizer Ron, who isn’t afraid to get into character to help with a case. “I love that he’s like a bull in a china shop at times,” says Brosnan of his character.

As Ron’s best friend, Ibrahim, Ben Kingsley (Gandhi, The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar and Three More) found a balance that made his character an ideal detective. “He’s clearly empathetic because he’s a psychiatrist and he needs to interpret patterns of human behavior,” says the actor. “Now he can bring those same skills to a forensic quest to solve unsolved police cases through empathy, knowledge of patterns of human behavior, compassion, and imagination.” Rounding out the club is newcomer Joyce, played by Imrie (The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel, The Diplomat). “Where a retirement village could seem like the end, she gets here and it’s actually uplifting and fun and she finds friends,” says the actor.

Sir Ben Kingsley, Pierce Brosnan, Helen Mirren, and Celia Imrie in ‘The Thursday Murder Club’

After all, Mirren points out that her posse’s hobby stems from a universal place of curiosity and care about the world around them. “One of the things that keeps one alive and engaged in life at whatever age you are is a curiosity and questioning about the world, and a sense of constantly learning,” she says.

Says Brosnan, “You’re dealing with life and death, and it’s coming from the perspective of people who are in their 70s and 80s. You have to find the answer to the crime, why that person took another person’s life, and the meaning of that. But it’s about the humanity of these men and women and the unexpected relationships that unfold.”

But, Imrie notes, “Friends are so important when you get to a certain age. So, it’s a rather wonderful blossoming for everyone, actually.”

The Thursday Murder Club streams Aug. 28 on Netflix.

Night Always Comes

2025   Netflix

Rated:  R

Length:  1 hr  48min

Crime ~ Drama ~ Thriller

Directed by:  Benjamin Caron

Starring:  Vanessa Kirby, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Zack Gottsagen, Stephen James, Randall Park, Julia Fox, Michael Kelly, and Eli Roth.

$25,000….1 Night….No Other Options

THE BOOK:

The Night Always Comes: A Novel by Willy Vlautin  – April 6, 2021

SYNOPSIS:

Barely thirty, Lynette is exhausted. Saddled with bad credit and juggling multiple jobs, some illegally, she’s been diligently working to buy the house she lives in with her mother and developmentally disabled brother Kenny. Portland’s housing prices have nearly quadrupled in fifteen years, and the owner is giving them a good deal. Lynette knows it’s their last best chance to own their own home—and obtain the security they’ve never had. While she has enough for the down payment, she needs her mother to cover the rest of the asking price. But a week before they’re set to sign the loan papers, her mother gets cold feet and reneges on her promise, pushing Lynette to her limits to find the money they need.

Set over two days and two nights, The Night Always Comes follows Lynette’s frantic search—an odyssey of hope and anguish that will bring her face to face with greedy rich men and ambitious hustlers, those benefiting and those left behind by a city in the throes of a transformative boom. As her desperation builds and her pleas for help go unanswered, Lynette makes a dangerous choice that sets her on a precarious, frenzied spiral. In trying to save her family’s future, she is plunged into the darkness of her past, and forced to confront the reality of her life.

A heart wrenching portrait of a woman hungry for security and a home in a rapidly changing city, The Night Always Comes raises the difficult questions we are often too afraid to ask ourselves: What is the price of gentrification, and how far are we really prepared to go to achieve the American Dream? Is the American dream even attainable for those living at the edges? Or for too many of us, is it only a hollow promise?

THE MOVIE:

FROM NETFLIX:

Night Always Comes follows Lynette (Vanessa Kirby), a woman who risks everything to secure the house that represents a future for her family. Lynette, who rises each morning before sunrise to juggle multiple jobs, which are not all on the level, while also caring for her mother Doreen and older brother Kenny. Lynette has been hardened by her hardscrabble life; her bedroom houses the washer-dryer, an oil furnace and a utility sink. There’s little or no money for new clothes or for treats. Lynette has gone without so she can save cash to purchase the ramshackle home her family has rented for decades in an area where the ‘G’ word,  gentrification, has left a bitter taste; the working classes are being pushed outta town. A plan had been in place to raise a mortgage on the property, but when that’s derailed she’s forced to undertake a desperate odyssey in a city of greed. Lynette has to confront dangerous people who owe her money. On a dangerous odyssey through a single night, Lynette is forced to confront her dark past in order to finally break free.

Night Always Comes is based on the May 17, 2022 Novel by Willy Vlautin. According to Producer Benjamin Caron (From Netflix Tudum):

“The emotional core of the book was my compass, but there’s a heightened sense of immediacy and propulsion to cinema where the audience feels every blow and every betrayal and every hope. The adaptation became even more of a character-driven thriller with Lynette at the center of every frame. I also opened up the book by having Portland itself become a character in the movie, the contrast between the city’s foreclosed buildings and the gentrified neighborhoods reflecting Lynette’s personal crisis.” 

“Lynette is driven by a desperate need for security, for the idea of home as much as, I guess, the reality of it. Yet she is haunted by the fear that she doesn’t deserve it. Her journey is a study in propulsion. Each decision, no matter how reckless, is an attempt to outrun her past and carve out a future.” 

“Vanessa brings a beautifully wild energy to Lynette, making the character unpredictable and deeply, deeply human. Together, we worked on creating a character who is simply not just reacting to the world, but desperately trying to wrest control of her future, even as she teeters on the edge of self-destruction,” says Caron, who believes Kirby’s contributions as a producer were also invaluable. “Vanessa was creatively involved from the ground up, which was brilliant. To have someone that was both an actor and producer was incredibly exciting to me.” 

THE REVIEW:

Night Always Comes is an electrifying urban thriller that hooked me from the opening scene and never let go. Adapted from Willy Vlautin’s novel, the film plunges viewers into a high-stakes, emotionally raw quest as Lynette (Vanessa Kirby) races against the clock to secure her family’s future in a rapidly gentrifying Portland. What I loved about this movie was its tense, ticking-clock atmosphere and urgent pacing; every frame brims with suspense and desperation as Lynette scrambles overnight to raise $25,000, making tough choices and confronting her past. The story beautifully balances grit and empathy, adding layers to its social commentary about housing insecurity and class struggles.

The cast is simply phenomenal. Jennifer Jason Leigh delivers a quietly devastating turn as Lynette’s unreliable mother, Doreen, showing a complexity that deepens every family scene. Zack Gottsagen is moving as Kenny, Lynette’s brother, whose innocence amplifies the stakes and heartbreak, and together, their performances ground the story in vulnerability and hope. But the reason I was truly captivated is Vanessa Kirby. She dominates the screen and brings such emotional urgency, versatility, and empathy to Lynette that I couldn’t look away. Kirby channels every stage of desperation, pain, and resolve with a haunting depth; she’s the beating heart of the film, making every moment memorable. The chemistry among these three, especially Kirby’s dynamic with Gottsagen and Leigh, represents the best of ensemble acting, elevating a tense genre drama into a resonant journey about family and survival.

It is a deep dark social commentary centered on one woman’s struggle to survive and rise above. It is not pretty, it is not a Hallmark movie, It is realism, sadness and desperation at it’s raw core and yet it is the triumph of survival and the eternal hope of a better life.

ANOTHER GREAT VANESSA KIRBY MOVIE I RECOMMEND:

Napoleon

Night Always Comes Starring Vanessa Kirby coming To Netflix This Friday August 15, 2025

2025   Netflix

Rated:  R

Length:  1 hr  48min

Crime ~ Drama ~ Thriller

Directed by:  Benjamin Caron

Starring:  Vanessa Kirby, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Zack Gottsagen, Stephen James, Randall Park, Julia Fox, Michael Kelly, and Eli Roth.

$25,000….1 Night….No Other Options

Night Always Comes follows Lynette (Vanessa Kirby), a woman who risks everything to secure the house that represents a future for her family. Lynette, who rises each morning before sunrise to juggle multiple jobs, which are not all on the level, while also caring for her mother Doreen and older brother Kenny. Lynette has been hardened by her hardscrabble life; her bedroom houses the washer-dryer, an oil furnace and a utility sink. There’s little or no money for new clothes or for treats. Lynette has gone without so she can save cash to purchase the ramshackle home her family has rented for decades in an area where the ‘G’ word – gentrification – has left a bitter taste; the working classes are being pushed outta town. A plan had been in place to raise a mortgage on the property, but when that’s derailed she’s forced to undertake a desperate odyssey in a city of greed. Lynette has to confront dangerous people who owe her money. On a dangerous odyssey through a single night, Lynette is forced to confront her dark past in order to finally break free.

Night Always Comes is based on the May 17, 2022 Novel by Willy Vlautin. According to Producer Benjamin Caron (From Netflix Tudum):

“The emotional core of the book was my compass, but there’s a heightened sense of immediacy and propulsion to cinema where the audience feels every blow and every betrayal and every hope. The adaptation became even more of a character-driven thriller with Lynette at the center of every frame. I also opened up the book by having Portland itself become a character in the movie, the contrast between the city’s foreclosed buildings and the gentrified neighborhoods reflecting Lynette’s personal crisis.” 

“Lynette is driven by a desperate need for security, for the idea of home as much as, I guess, the reality of it. Yet she is haunted by the fear that she doesn’t deserve it. Her journey is a study in propulsion. Each decision, no matter how reckless, is an attempt to outrun her past and carve out a future.” 

“Vanessa brings a beautifully wild energy to Lynette, making the character unpredictable and deeply, deeply human. Together, we worked on creating a character who is simply not just reacting to the world, but desperately trying to wrest control of her future, even as she teeters on the edge of self-destruction,” says Caron, who believes Kirby’s contributions as a producer were also invaluable. “Vanessa was creatively involved from the ground up, which was brilliant. To have someone that was both an actor and producer was incredibly exciting to me.” 

Streaming on Netflix Friday August 15, 2025.

The Comeback Trail

2020   Cloudburst Entertainment

Rated:  R

Length:  1 hr  44min

Crime ~ Comedy

Directed by:  George Gallo

Starring:  Robert De Niro, Tommy Lee Jones, Morgan Freeman, Zach Braff, and Emile Hirsch.

Hollywood has never pulled a stunt like this.

The Comeback Trail was filmed in 2019 but because of The Covid-19 Pandemic, which also drove the initial distributor out of business, and the subsequent lawsuits over distribution, the release was delayed until February 25, 2025 and is currently on a number of streaming services including Hulu, Amazon Prime and Paramount+.

Let’s not beat around the bush—the trailer for “The Comeback Trail” promises more laughs than the movie actually delivers, except for the scene where the horse kicks Robert De Niro. I literally busted out laughing, it was completely obvious it was going to happen and so stupid, it was funny. You’d think with legends like Robert De Niro, Tommy Lee Jones, and Morgan Freeman sharing top billing though, we’d have an instant classic with star-studded comic hijinks blazing across the screen. Instead, what we get is a worn retread of old Hollywood satire, a little too safe, not nearly dark enough, and just sort of… familiar.

If you’re expecting De Niro in full-on comedic genius mode—think Midnight Run or Analyze This—you’ll get flashes of it here, but mostly he’s dialing up the chaos as Max Barber, a washed-up producer who decides his only way out of mob debt is to “accidentally” kill his faded cowboy star, Duke Montana (Jones), to cash in on insurance. Forget twisty plotlines; the story is as predictable as you’re guessing right now, but with fewer laughs than you’d hope for.

The cast puts in the work. Jones, especially, walks off with the movie’s soul, playing Duke with a mix of melancholy and earnestness rarely seen in broad comedies. His suicidal cowboy could have been a running gag, but Jones injects heart and a hint of regret that almost—almost!—makes you care. De Niro is all bluster and wild schemes, burning calories trying to make Max’s desperation land. Freeman, meanwhile, has a few smirk-worthy lines but is largely sidelined.

Visually, the film actually looks decent. There’s an undeniable flair to the cinematography—the grimy, cut-rate movie sets and LA backlots sell the atmosphere. If you muted the sound, you might be tricked into thinking this is a riotous good time. But Bobby’s cardinal rule: it’s not how it LOOKS, it’s how it PLAYS, and here the play is just… average.

Bottom line? This is one of those late night cable comedies you watch on a whim, forget about by morning, and don’t exactly regret. There’s fun to be had—mostly courtesy of Tommy Lee Jones—but with three Oscar winners on deck and a premise ripe for crazy hijinks, it should have swung for the fences instead of bunting. Not awful, not great, just a movie that’s been here for years, reheating leftovers instead of serving up anything new.

The Instigators

2025   Apple TV+

Rated:  R

Length:  1 hr  41min

Action ~ Crime ~ Comedy

Directed by:  Doug Liman

Starring:  Casey Affleck, Matt Damon, Hong Chau, Michael Stuhlbarg, Paul Walter Hauser, Ving Rhames, Alfred Molina, Toby Jones, Jack Harlow, and Ron Perlman.

I need 32,480 dollars, that’s all I need.

The Instigators, directed by Doug Liman and streaming on Apple TV+, tosses viewers into a frenetic Boston backdrop on the eve of a mayoral election. From the jump, it’s clear this isn’t your average heist flick—the film’s opening moments introduce Rory (Matt Damon), a blue-collar dad hoping for a shot at redemption, and Cobby (Casey Affleck), a jittery ex-con who just can’t catch a break. Their plan? Knock off a crooked politician notorious for hiding dirty cash, Mayor Miccelli of Boston (Ron Perlman). Naturally, things go sideways fast, and what was supposed to be a one-and-done job quickly devolves into bedlam across the city’s tangled streets.

As the hunt intensifies, the duo’s fumbled heist drags an unsuspecting therapist (Hong Chau) into the fray. What starts as pure collateral damage evolves into an unlikely alliance as Rory and Cobby try—often with hilarious ineptitude—to outrun crooked city officials, shambling henchmen, and a grizzled detective who always seems half a step behind. Liman injects the chase with big swings of slapstick humor and a sharp edge of Boston grit, letting side characters and local color breathe life into even the most well-trodden genre beats.

Though The Instigators doesn’t break new ground for crime capers, it thrives on the cracked chemistry between Damon and Affleck. Their dynamic—equal parts desperation, bickering, and reluctant camaraderie—drives both the action and the heart of the film. Whether it’s a barely-in-control car chase, a botched backroom deal, or a misadventure involving bewildered bystanders, the movie keeps its foot firmly on the gas, favoring momentum and laughs over intricate plotting.

If you’re searching for a twist-filled noir or a brooding meditation on crime, look elsewhere. The Instigators leans into chaotic fun, championing its misfit characters and letting the city of Boston be as much a character as anyone on screen. This is a heist movie that’s more about the wild ride than the payoff—and for those willing to hop in for the chase, it delivers a thoroughly entertaining journey without ever taking itself too seriously.

Grab a beverage,

Make some popcorn

and Stream this movie

On Apple TV+