TV Review | Only Murders in the Building Season 3

“Only Murders in the Building season 3 continues to capture the magic that makes this series so special. It delivers another captivating murder mystery, smart comedy and a dash of drama.”

The second season of Only Murders in the Building ended with a quite a twist as during the performance of Oliver (Martin Short)’s new play, the lead actor Ben Glenroy (Paul Rudd) unexpectedly died on stage. This left viewers wondering what was going on. The wait is now over. Season 3 arrives on August 8 with a 2-episode premiere. The remaining episodes will release weekly. The series streams on Disney Plus with STAR for international territories, UK included while it streams on Hulu for the US.

THE MAGIC IS STILL THERE

*Only Murders in the Building* — Charles (Steve Martin). (Photo by: Patrick Harbron/Hulu)

It just feels great that Only Murders in the Building is back. Hearing the opening theme of the series just brings me so much joy. And I can tell you right away, after three seasons the magic is still there. This show is incredibly good with captivating murder mystery while also giving us smart comedy and a dash of drama. It just finds the right balance for everything. It is not easy to do but this series has done it three times in a row now.

This season brings an exciting new mystery. It’s captivating all the way through. With different leads and many suspects, it’s a difficult case to break. Just like our favorite trio has their murder board with their top suspects, I like to make one in my mind as I watch the episodes. Murder mysteries are so enthralling to watch especially when it’s well-written like in this series. This mystery will definitely keep you on the egde of your seat wanting to figure out what happened.

There is also a lot of laughs, Charles (Steve Martin) never fails to make a fool of himself and Oliver is always doing too much maybe even more so this season. I have stopped counting the number of times I have laughed out loud this season. The comedy really serves the story to lighten the overall serious tone. This series works so well because of how it mixes the comedy with the mystery and drama. Obviously, as in every season there is drama for our trio who each faces their struggles separately.

UNDERLYING THEME

*Only Murders in the Building* — Mabel (Selena Gomez). (Photo by: Patrick Harbron/Hulu)

Furthermore, this season’s underlying theme is about the cost of being a creative. And the opening monologue sums up that perfectly. Not only does it concerns the lead trio, but it also concerns the different players of this season. These characters have a desire to create and want to persevere through rejection. With the older characters (Oliver, Charles, Loretta (Meryl Streep)), they’re past their prime with regrets but still hope to create something with a new project. Oliver is so focused on his Broadway play and is ready to do anything for it to happen. Charles faces insecurities. While Loretta is a character who is finally about to reach her breakthrough in her career. Throughout the season, you see how it affects these three characters in very different ways.

With Mabel (Selena Gomez), she is younger than them, almost thirty and as she calls herself “a late bloomer.” She is struggling to find the project that will define her. In fact, Mabel’s story does hit closer to me as we’re the same age. There is an interesting contrast between her and the older characters and how they both struggle with the desire to create.

CAST

*Only Murders in the Building* — “Loretta (Meryl Streep) and Oliver (Martin Short). (Photo by: Patrick Harbron/Hulu)

The heart of the show has always been this outstanding trio – Steve Martin, Martin Short and Selena Gomez. Their on-screen chemistry is off the charts. The banter between the characters is absolutely hilarious and the way each actor deliver their line is simply perfect. Their characters have very different personalities and yet they do complete each other, that’s in part thanks to the writing and the other part is thanks to the acting of this cast. You laugh when they’re ridiculous, you cheer when they’re making a breakthrough in the case and you’re sad when they’re arguing. It’s characters that the audience truly care about.

Moreover, Meryl Streep joins the cast this season and it couldn’t get any better. She is outstanding as usual, after all she is the one and only Meryl Streep, apart from Cate Blanchett there is no one better than her. She beautifully brings on screen the different layers of her intriguing character. On top of that, there is also Paul Rudd. And he is ridiculously funny as the egotistical A-star actor. Undoubtedly, the cast of season 3 is my favorite and it’s going to be difficult to top that. And yes, as usual there are some surprising cameos.

VERDICT

Only Murders in the Building season 3 continues to capture the magic that makes this series so special. It delivers another captivating murder mystery, smart comedy and a dash of drama. The trio Steve Martin, Martin Short and Selena Gomez is as good as ever and this time they’re joined by Meryl Streep who was perfectly cast!