The summer has almost come to an end, and diving into an entertaining show is the perfect way to help you wind down from the sun and fun, not to mention prepare for the onslaught of fall and the holiday season to come. Only Murders in the Building fits the bill. If you haven’t yet watched the first three seasons, you’ll want to catch up before checking out the fourth. I had the chance to watch the first seven of 10 episodes in season four ahead of release, and while it’s more of the same, there are some exciting new elements.
Season after season, the whodunit series, which stars Steve Martin, Martin Short, and Selena Gomez, introduces a fresh new murder case and a new dynamic with A-list guest stars, from Meryl Streep to Paul Rudd. Season 4 is no different, bringing back both these stars along with plenty others.
Only Murders in the Building Adds New Comedic Flare
When we left off in season 3, the trio of amateur sleuths and true crime podcast hosts were celebrating solving the murder of Ben (Rudd) and the successful completion of Oliver’s (Short) opening night. But back in Charles’ (Martin) apartment, his long-time friend and stunt double Sazz (Jane Lynch) had been shot and killed from a bullet through his window, unbeknownst to them.
Since Sazz was dressed as Charles, as she often was, it would stand to reason that the killer thought and hoped they had killed Charles, not her. The cliffhanger ending left fans in anticipation of the next confirmed murder case in the Arconia building.
You can expect more of the same with this season as the trio make the discovery then get down to business investigating. But this time, there’s a nice change of scenery: after being offered the opportunity to turn their life stories and podcast into a movie, the three are invited to Los Angeles to meet with producers to discuss details and terms (and sign the contracts, or not).
In arguably three of the most fun guest castings yet, the trio is introduced to Eugene Levy, Zack Galifianakis, and Eva Longoria who are set to play Charles, Oliver, and Mabel (Gomez), respectively, in the movie about them. It’s a hilarious “seeing double” moment that all three new actors capture beautifully as they emulate the real-life personalities on whom their characters are based. Some do so more enthusiastically than others, balance with exaggerated versions of their own celebrity personas.
The pacing of the show might seem formulaic and repetitive by now as the trio make shocking discoveries at every turn, as if there was a script written leading them through clues. Fans might grow tired of the idea that multiple people can die under suspicious circumstances in the same building, one after another, without the place being condemned or at least given jacked up security. Nonetheless, the new cast members and the fabulous chemistry among the three leads allow you to suspend all belief and just go with the ridiculous flow.
Along with the three protagonists and the aforementioned new characters, this season also adds Molly Shannon, Kumail Nanjiani, Richard Kind, and Melissa McCarthy. These characters are comedy icons, and they nail their roles. Gomez has mentioned in interviews that she found it difficult not to break character around Shannon. In several scenes, you can see her holding back laughs at Shannon’s impeccable comedic timing and improvision skills.
Both Streep and Rudd return as well, the latter of whom in a hilarious way you’ll never see coming (he is, after all, dead, isn’t he?) Lynch also reprises her role for several episodes, despite being deceased (once again, you’ll have to watch to see how). Da’Vine Joy Randolph is back as the frustrated detective Donna Williams who is constantly annoyed by the trio but has also become appreciative of them as well. Dare I say, she might even like them? She knows they’re far too hapless to ever commit any of these crimes, but somehow, they muster the guts and talents to help solve them, time and time again.
Thematically, much like a police procedural, you know exactly what to expect from one episode to the next. There’s voiceover narration from a different suspect in every episode that explains the situation from their perspective. One episode provides a unique filming technique that is unusual and exciting, much like season three adding the musical dream sequence element to shake things up.
The same banter among the trio that fans have come to appreciate is back, often centered around the hilarious ways Oliver and Charles don’t understand technology. This season, for example, Oliver gets an iPad and a “Finsta” account, to great amusement. There’s also the side story of Mabel going through her existential crisis and trying to determine how running this podcast fits into her life and purpose as a Millennial lost in the responsibilities of adulthood.
All in all, this season doesn’t offer anything significant out of the ordinary: it’s exactly what you would expect it to be, and that’s OK.
Should You Watch Only Murders in the Building Season 4?
If you watched the first three seasons, of course you should check out season four of Only Murders in the Building.
The switch to Los Angeles juxtaposes the darker, drearier, fast-paced scene in New York, even if just for a short single episode respite. The case takes its usual twists and turns, keeping you guessing all the way through as suspects are eliminated, potential new ones introduced, and the plot thickens.
Only Murders in the Building isn’t edge-of-your-seat television, but it isn’t supposed to be. Its bubblegum fun at its finest with two comedy icons and a child star turned musician who matches their comedy with her sarcasm and youthful charm.
The other main characters like quirky neighbour Howard Morris (Michael Cyril Creighton) along with the stand-out, repeat season recurring characters like Detective Williams and surly building resident Uma Heller (Jackie Hoffman), and new ones like Molly Shannon, all hit it out of the park.
Only Murders in the Building will entertain you and remind you how comedy has evolved over generations. There’s something endearing about the main trio and given the A-list talent they have managed to attract season after season, everyone wants to be part of the fun.
Who killed Sazz? We don’t know yet. But the journey to find out is a wild ride that explores different locations, including the glitz and glamour of Hollywood and another location that involves one of the new guest cast members. Will another murder take place by the end of this season and is the show coming back? As one of Hulu’s most successful shows (streaming on Disney+ in Canada), fans hope the series will return for a fifth. There hasn’t been a renewal confirmation just yet. For now, it’s wait and see. But season four may tie events from every season together, so it’s possible this could be the end.
Stream Only Murders in the Building on Disney+. Season four premieres Tuesday, August 27, 2024, with a new episode weekly through October 29, 2024 for a total of 10.