“Only Murders in the Building” has received mixed critiques regarding its approach to contemporary TV comedy. Rachel Aroesti from The Guardian notes that the series forgoes outright comedic elements in favor of an impressive cast, intricate plotting, and emotional depth, marking it as a product of the streaming age. However, she surprisingly finds the show to be extremely funny, claiming it is the funniest show on television currently.
The narrative revolves around three neighbors and true crime podcasters—Charles, played by Steve Martin, Oliver, portrayed by Martin Short, and Mabel, played by Selena Gomez—as they tackle mysteries within their upscale New York City apartment building. The fourth season focuses on the murder of Charles’ stunt double, Sazz, who was shot at the end of the previous season.
As they prepare for their latest case, they receive an unexpected opportunity as Hollywood moves in. Paramount executives are fast-tracking a film adapted from the podcast, featuring real-life stars. Eugene Levy will take on the role of Charles, Zach Galifianakis will portray Oliver, and Eva Longoria will play Mabel.
Ed Power from The Telegraph mentions that while featuring stars as themselves can be hit or miss, the new actors deliver humor, and the original cast successfully maintains the energetic charm from prior seasons. However, he expresses disappointment over the limited appearance of Meryl Streep, who returns as Oliver’s romantic interest.
Beyond its impressive cast and witty one-liners, the essence of “Only Murders in the Building” lies in its engaging whodunit storyline, complete with unexpected twists that set the stage for an exciting season. Ben Dowell from The Times agrees on the show’s clever plotting and strong chemistry among the lead trio, although he notes that the familiar formula becomes apparent as they search for Sazz’s murderer. He also points out that the show has a tendency to admire film culture rather than critique it.
Maddy Mussen from the London Evening Standard shares concerns regarding Selena Gomez’s portrayal of Mabel, describing it as somewhat wooden and lacking in character development for the main trio.
In summary, while season four of “Only Murders in the Building” has its flaws, Aroesti concludes that it is a standout example of a comedy-drama that successfully balances both genres. The fourth season is currently streaming on Disney+.