“Only Murders in the Building” has drawn mixed critiques as it embodies some critiques of modern television comedy, as noted by Rachel Aroesti in The Guardian. The series, which opts for a more serious tone over straight-up comedy, features a star-studded cast and intricate plotting.
Yet, according to Aroesti, the show manages to be hilariously funny, perhaps the most amusing show on TV at present.
The plot revolves around three true crime podcasters and neighbors—Charles, played by Steve Martin, Oliver, portrayed by Martin Short, and Mabel, played by Selena Gomez—who tackle mysteries in their upscale New York residence. The fourth season centers around the homicide of Charles’ stunt double, Sazz, who was shot at the end of season three.
Before they can dive back into their new investigation, the trio finds themselves thrust into a film project as Paramount accelerates production of a movie based on their popular podcast. The movie will star real-life actors: Eugene Levy as Charles, Zach Galifianakis as Oliver, and Eva Longoria as Mabel.
Ed Power from The Telegraph remarked that while having stars play themselves can sometimes be unpredictable, the new cast brings plenty of humor, and the original trio maintains their comedic chemistry from previous seasons. However, Meryl Streep’s return as Oliver’s love interest felt insufficient, as there could have been more of her character.
The appeal of “Only Murders in the Building” extends far beyond its impressive cast and clever one-liners; at its core lies a captivating mystery that promises plenty of surprises for viewers. Ben Dowell in The Times praised its clever plotting and the trio’s strong dynamic, though noted that their return to New York for Sazz’s murder investigation felt somewhat repetitive, lacking critiques of the Hollywood scene.
Maddy Mussen of the London Evening Standard pointed out that Selena Gomez’s portrayal of Mabel appeared somewhat stiff in this installment, and the leading characters experienced limited development.
Despite not being flawless, Aroesti concluded that season four of “Only Murders in the Building” is nearly perfect, exemplifying a successful blend of comedy and drama.
The fourth season of “Only Murders in the Building” is currently available for streaming on Disney+.