It’s incredible that Only Murders in the Building is already in its fifth season. With a premise that seemed impossible to continue beyond a single season, the mystery comedy drama is still delighting fans with a fresh new case every season and an exciting group of guest actors, including massive A-list Hollywood stars.
Season five is no exception, and while the season replicates the same story we’ve seen four times before (someone dies, the trio investigates, the murder is solved), it doesn’t matter. It’s a case-of-a-week show, but the case evolves through a 10-episode season instead. This allows us to savour every moment as if we’re guests at a murder mystery retreat, along for the ride and doing our best to help decipher the clues that conveniently pop up just when we need them.
Note: This spoiler-free review is based on episodes 1-9 of season 5 of Only Murders in the Building.
How Season 4 Set Up Season 5
As with every season after season one, the previous season sets the story up for the one to come. Season four ends with the beautiful wedding of Oliver (Martin Short) and Loretta (Meryl Streep) in the courtyard of the Arconia building. Everything goes off without a hitch, despite Oliver’s fears that the building is cursed.
The trio had already managed to solve Sazz’s (Jane Lynch) murder and felt that maybe they, and the building, would finally get a break. But just as Charles (Steve Martin) and Mabel (Selema Gomez) are commenting to one another about how they were finally able to enjoy an event without a murder happening, they find the doorman Lester’s (Teddy Coluca) dead body in the Arconia fountain. And so, we have a tease for season five, which centers around his murder.
Only Murders in the Building Season 5 Review
This season, the group ventures into unchartered territory when they get caught up with the mob, powerful billionaires, and secrets about the city (and building) they love so much and thought they knew everything about. Lester’s tale is rife with cliches. As he revealed to residents in the past, he came to New York with aspirations of being an actor. He took what was supposed to be a temporary job as a doorman for a swanky building. Thirty-plus years later, he was still there, waxing poetic to anyone who would listen about his lost dreams.
While his death is initially deemed accidental, Charles, Oliver, and Mabel feel it in their bones that something isn’t right. And when clues start falling into their laps, they can’t ignore them. They need to bring justice for their old friend, and, of course, develop a new season of their podcast, the meta show-within-the-show.
Through their investigation, they learn that Lester knew far more secrets than he ever divulged and his job was more important than simply opening doors, delivering packages, and listening to grievances. They come face to face with a group of potential suspects much like they did in season four. This includes an eclectic group of billionaires, each with their own quirky personalities and traits. These characters are likely parodies of real-life elites, but we’ll leave it up to you to decide which ones.
Despite the murders that continue to happen in the same building and the repetitive nature of the plot from one season to the next, Only Murders in the Building still finds a way to create engaging stories. You have to wait much longer to solve the case than you might like, and will probably feel frustrated with the week-to-week release schedule (thankfully, the first three episodes are available at once). But the slow-burn and opportunity to theorize between episodes encourages conversation for those who choose not to wait until the end and binge the season all at once.
The reason the formula works is in large part thanks to the chemistry among the three leads, who play wonderfully off the guest cast members and other recurring characters as well. For this season, that includes new names like Bobby Cannavale, Renée Zellweger, Logan Lerman, Christoph Walz, Keegan-Michael Key, Beanie Feldstein, Dianne Wiest, and Jermaine Fowler. Several others return as well, including Richard Kind, Téa Leoni (who makes a brief cameo at the end of season four), Nathan Lane, James Caverly, Meryl Streep, and Da’Vine Joy Randolph, among a few other surprise returning cast members and cameos. Don’t worry, Michael Cyril Creighton is back as the effeminate neighbour Howard and Jackie Hoffman as the surly resident Uma.
While season four took the group to a new setting in Los Angeles for parts of the story, season five is back to serving as a love letter to New York City, not to mention all its stereotypes. Lester was a fixture of both the Big Apple and the Arconia for decades, after all. So, diving into his backstory and learning more about him was a sweet tribute to a character who has been in the background of the show since the beginning.
Season five has the same level of humor as the others, poking fun at everything from Oliver and Charles’ advanced ages to their flailing careers and Mabel’s continued journey to find herself amidst her chaotic life. But it also dives deeper into more emotional angles. We get more depth from these characters we have come to know and love over the past four years. That means finally seeing that Oliver’s bravado really does hide his insecurities, Charles’ loneliness isn’t just the butt of jokes, and Mabel has been through some dark times in her life.
The season takes you on a twisted journey that involves characters unlike anything you’ve ever seen so far on the show. The main trio continue to dominate every scene, but some new and returning characters have their time to shine, too. Randolph is a stand-out this season: we wouldn’t be surprised to see her pick up another Emmy nomination for her role. She brings a wonderful flavor to the story, and we get to see a different side of her character Detective Donna Williams this season, too.
Should You Watch Only Murders in the Building Season 5?
To put it simply, Only Murders in the Building has done it again. Despite being about murder, the show remains one of the most feel-good, sweet, entertaining series on television. The generational jokes, the cast chemistry, the downright silliness and unbelievable circumstances keep you invested. Every season is set up such that you can’t help but follow through to the end to solve the mystery. It’s fun to dive into each clue from one episode to the next and hearing the story presented from the perspective of a different suspect each time. You do, after all, need to understand that one person didn’t do it before you can move on and figure out who did.
Only Murders in the Building is a modern-day mystery starring two of the most iconic comedic actors of our generation who have been in the business for 40+ years. The show somehow, however, appeals to viewers of all ages. Watch with your parents, grandparents, even kids, and everyone will find an element (or character) they love and to which they can relate. That’s a challenging feat to accomplish nowadays, at a time when shows tend to fit into neat viewer demographic boxes.
While the future of Only Murders in the Building is not yet confirmed, we can foresee the story going for as long as Short, Martin, and Gomez are willing to film it, and writers are willing to come up with interesting stories. If they want to continue to create these hilariously absurd yet deeply fun narratives, and Disney will offer it, we’ll be on board to watch time and time again.
Stream Only Murders in the Building on Disney+ in Canada and Hulu in the U.S. starting with the first three episodes on Tuesday, September 9, 2025.