The critically acclaimed series Only Murders in the Building might just be the most refreshing television series released in a long time. In an age of superhero shows, fantasy shows, revivals, prequels, and reunions, it seems to be a rare discovery to find a show that is both original and fresh. But Only Murders in the Building delivers a satisfying series. The show centers around Charles-Haden Savage, Oliver Putnam, and Mabel Mora, who, at first, have absolutely nothing in common. Then, they discover their love for true-crime podcasts after the death of Tim Kono, a resident of their apartment building, the Arconia. The three band together and start their own podcast titled Only Murders in the Building in an attempt to solve Tim's death on their own.
Update September 15, 2023: This article has been updated to reflect the recent season of Only Murders in the Building.
After releasing two seasons of the show and with the third season currently underway, Only Murders has repeatedly proved that it's a television series not to be missed. The show has a classic but new feel to it. With its plot, characters, humor, and style, they all culminate to make an authentically vintage but modern murder mystery. So grab your microphones and put on your headphones as we detail why Only Murders deserves much more attention.
Writing
The show's writing is genius, starting with its witty comedy, great character development, and a very interesting story that includes a lot of shocking twists and turns. Show-runner John Hoffman collaborated with Steve Martin and a team of very talented creators to create one of the smartest, wittiest, and impactful shows in recent memory.
The twists and turns from season one and season two are shocking, and that all comes down to the brilliant writing team. Season three is just as twisty and humorous as seasons one and two, but it has also been delving deeper into the drama, exploring the character's psyches and how they are being pulled apart. There is no question about it. Only Murders is a spectacular showcase of great storytelling, and the writing helps elevate and cement the show as the ultimate must-watch.
Characters
Only Murders sports a phenomenal and diverse cast of characters, most of whom are residents of the Arconia. Of course, the main draw to the show is our hilarious and iconic trio, Mabel Mora, Charles-Haden Savage, and Oliver Putnam, with the three developing an unbreakable friendship but still holding countless secrets about themselves. Oliver Putnam is the hilariously eccentric, down-on-his-luck theater director. Charles is a retired actor with his own cop show that he has been living off of, Brazzos. Mabel is a mysterious, cool loner. At least that's what they all were at the start of the show, but now they have all developed and grown as characters and as people, and watching their journey is an utter delight.
Similarly, the residents of the Arconia are a lively bunch of supporting characters on-screen. While only a handful actually have some development, it is simply a joy to watch them all interact and make the entire building feel more alive like there are plenty of stories just happening out of frame from the main trio.
Cast
What good would these characters be without the spectacular cast that brought them to life? The cast of Only Murders has an incredibly talented and hilarious cast. Steve Martin and Martin Short were at the forefront of the show, which also got them nominated for numerous awards. There is no denying their chemistry and comedic timing are sensational, which shouldn't be a surprise considering their past work, but here is where their relationship shines the brightest. The old, comedic styles of Martin and Short combine with the talent of Gomez to make the absolutely perfect main trio.
The show has also delivered many phenomenal and delightful cameos, from Sting as himself to Amy Schumer, who plays herself. Perhaps the best and most surprising is a spectacular cameo from comedy legend Paul Rudd in the finale of season two. Rudd became a major star in season three as the murder victim. But other award-winning actors and actresses like Jesse Williams, Jane Lynch, Matthew Broderick, Nathan Lane, Amy Ryan, Tina Fey, Cara Delevinge, Mark Consuelos, and Andrea Martin have all appeared in the show, too. Oh, there is also the iconic that is Meryl Streep, who has a pretty big role in season three. The cast is truly outstanding, and it is always the supporting characters that end up putting the show over the top in almost all cases.
Selena Gomez
The heart of the show is easily Mabel Mora and Selena Gomez's exceptional performance along with it. Her performance and her character go hand-in-hand and only help the show feel much more refreshing. Selena Gomez brings depth and nuance to the character of Mabel Mora, who went from a cool, mysterious loner to a confident and empowering role model, not only to the characters in the series but in the real world as well.
Mabel's relationship with Charles and Oliver shows how different generations can bond and come together while also allowing the two generations to learn from one another. Season three of the series has offered an interesting inversion of the dynamic as she now wants to reconnect with her two older partners, who have drifted away from her due to their busy lives. Mabel is a complex character and one that works because of how great Gomez is as an actress.
Score
The score for Only Murders in the Building is maybe the most underrated part of the show. Siddhartha Khosla's music for the series makes viewers feel exactly how they'd want to feel while watching a mystery series. It makes them feel cozy and suspicious, especially the main theme. Khosla's soundtrack for season one of the show eclipsed over 34 minutes, while the soundtrack for season two almost reached 53 minutes. The award-winning score has helped this show reach great heights, entertain people all around the world, and it has set the stage for an incredible plot.
Twists
The show delivers many spectacular and shocking twists and turns throughout its course, and Only Murders does a brilliant job at keeping you engaged and enthralled, no matter how big or small the twists and turns are. While the audiences can try to keep up, the show does a great job upending what the audiences think they know and makes each week an engaging viewing experience as new pieces of the puzzle are added while old elements are contextualized.
Humor
The comedy in the show is simply unmatched, from its incredibly witty writing and dialogue alongside the spectacularly hilarious performances from the entire cast. Only Murders can be compared to murder mystery greats such as Knives Out or Hot Fuzz for many of the reasons we have mentioned on this list. But most undoubtedly, because of its laugh-out-loud comedy that oozes with style.
The main source of comedy comes from the show's main trio. Steve Martin not only stars, but he also writes the show, allowing his trademark wit that has made him one of the more timeless comedians of all time to shine through it. For example, at the beginning of the first season, viewers get to hear him drop an F-bomb as he gets off an elevator. The last time fans heard Steve Martin drop an F-bomb was seemingly in the 1987 comedy classic Planes, Trains and Automobiles. Match that with Martin Short's hilarious, unconventional delivery and Selena Gomez's gut-busting attitude, and we have a comedy trio for the ages. Similarly, the residents are all equally hilarious to watch on screen, as are the spectacular cameos that we hope get better and better.
The Meta Narrative
Only Murders in the Building is also a smart show that examines the nature of itself. While the series might sometimes be characterized as an easy-going comfort watch, with beloved stars like Steve Martin and Martin Short and an icon like Selena Gomez, and has a light comedic tone, there is a bit of cynicism underneath much of it.
The series uses a true crime podcast as the basis for the three characters coming together at the beginning and serves as the basis for the show. Yet it also digs into what that mentality does to them. The trio becomes the subjects in season 2, throwing the spotlight onto them in unwelcome ways. Then, season 3 explores how the podcast has impacted and shaped their lives, for better or worse. Only Murders in the Building is a series that uses true crime podcasts as a plot device but also to make a statement about it.