EVERYBODY HAS A SECRET
Hulu’s new original series Only Murders In The Building reunites comedy legends Martin Short and Steve Martin in a fresh, inventive, and hilarious delve into the world of true crime podcasting. The series also stars Selena Gomez and follows the story of three strangers who are brought together by their shared obsession for true crime podcasts. Their passion soon becomes a reality when they find themselves caught up in the murder of a fellow resident within their Upper West Side New York apartment building. Convinced the police haven’t concluded the case, the trio begins their own investigation into the murder, chronicling the events in their very own podcast.
Short and Martin have flexed their comedy-acting chops over generations of work. but the addition of Selena Gomez raised many eyebrows. Surprisingly, the trio combines in a very effective fashion, and the chemistry between them really drives the show forward. The age difference offers many hilarious moments throughout, with the show playing off the older generation meets the youthful millennial dynamic. The comradery between the trio is believable and what begins as a chance meeting, blossoms into genuine friendship – although these ties are tested as things unravel, leaving the characters and viewers to question the true nature of events and people’s involvement in them.
Short plays Oliver Putnam, a famous broadway director who has had a huge career in the business. His tenure ended in disaster though with one huge flop massively affecting his financial position. Although he still exudes positivity with a bright smile, his demons lie beneath, and interactions with his family portray the character to be untrustworthy in certain situations. Martin plays Charles Haden-Savage, a former TV actor who gained fame by playing a detective in a popular 90’s TV series. Retirement has proven lonesome for him as he desperately seeks validation in the present, auditioning for roles that would see him return to his glory days. Gomez plays Mabel Mora, a mysterious character that is relatively new to the building. More becomes known of her character as the season progresses and her involvement draws us further into the murder mystery.
The performances throughout are stellar, with other season regulars and guest stars all offering moments of hilarity and intrigue. ‘The Office’ fans will welcome the addition of Amy Ryan to the cast, while Jayne Houdyshell will leave you crying with laughter as the uncaring, and explicit Bunny. Nathan Lane, Tina Fey, Aaron Dominguez, and Julian Cihi all add to a very talented cast, which even sees legendary musician Sting make a memorable appearance, becoming a central suspect in the murder itself! (Make sure to keep your dogs away from him!)
The vast amount of runtime is contained within the luxurious walls of The Arconia – the building that plays home to all residents. Each apartment is stylish and brings a high sense of grandeur, which serves as a sumptuous backdrop for the series. Each scene looks fantastic, and the set design choices add a really distinct look to the show.
VERDICT
Only Murders In The Building does a great job in blending comedy and murder mystery together, with an approach that never takes itself too seriously. Although the show leans heavily into comedy, it is not completely dominated by it. The performances are strong, and the characters are excellently fleshed out, which adds real heart and warmth to the story, while the central mystery keeps you guessing as we are delivered many twists and turns along the way. The humor is witty and the crime story is effective, which allows you to fall into each episode effortlessly. With a tight thirty-minute runtime per episode, the season is easily consumable and has all the elements needed to make a return visit a welcoming experience.
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Only Murders In The Building Season 1 is available to stream now on Hulu, and on Disney Plus’s Star in the UK. Check out the trailer below.
