NOTE: THIS IS A SPOILER-FREE REVIEW
Only Murders in the Building is a comedy-mystery television series co-created by Steve Martin and John Hoffman, which premiered on Hulu in 2021. The show artfully blends humor and suspense, centering around three strangers – Charles, Oliver, and Mabel, played by Steve Martin, Martin Short, and Selena Gomez respectively – who all reside in the same upscale New York City apartment building.
These unlikely friends, each dealing with their own complex personal issues, find common ground in their shared obsession with a true crime podcast. When a suspicious death occurs in their building, they decide to embark on an investigative journey, starting their own amateur true crime podcast and diving deep into the intricate mysteries of their posh residence, all while unraveling their own personal secrets.
Now approaching its third season, the series is notable not just for its intricate plot but also for its commentary on the nature of obsession, the complexities of human relationships, and the way media shapes perceptions. Martin, Short, and Gomez deliver standout performances, balancing moments of genuine tension with comedic relief. Through its unique premise, Only Murders in the Building manages to satirize the contemporary true crime phenomenon while also delivering a compelling narrative that keeps viewers on the edge of their seats.
This show took us completely by surprise. Not only is it entirely original, which seems rarer and rarer these days, it entered the streaming media zeitgeist in the middle of the pandemic. And it’s exceptionally good. Between the unlikely friendship between the 3 main characters, the standout supporting cast (including guest stars like Sting), the nod to the true-crime genre taking the world by storm, and the tightly-plotted story, the show has everything a mystery lover could want.
And despite focusing on the main characters as amateur sleuths, the show never trivializes the competence of the police department handling the case, which feels like a refreshing upheaval of a tired stereotype.
Only Murders in the Building showcases how even smartly-written long-form narrative television can embrace humor and the absurd, messy chaos of daily life. And how, even after more than a century of combined entertainment experience, Martin and Short haven’t lost their touch.
If you’ve been resisting this modern mystery series, or otherwise overlooked it, I highly encourage you to give Only Murders in the Building a try.
