TV Review | Only Murders in the Building Season 4

“Only Murders in the Building is back and it’s better than ever. Season 4 delivers a complex and riveting new mystery while also being the funniest this series has ever been. The trio Steve Martin, Martin Short and Selena Gomez remains iconic and once again they are joined by great new guest stars!”

The third season of Only Murders in the Building ended on a huge cliffhanger like the previous seasons, leaving the audience wanting to know what happens next! Indeed, Charles’ stunt double Sazz (Jane Lynch) was shot in Charles’ apartment by an unknown assailant. The wait is now almost over. Season 4 arrives on August 27, with episodes premiering weekly. The series streams on Disney Plus with STAR for international territories, UK included while it streams on Hulu for the US.

A NEW CHAPTER

*ONLY MURDERS IN THE BUILDING* (Disney/Eric McCandless) SELENA GOMEZ, MERYL STREEP, MARTIN SHORT

Last season’s underlying theme was about the cost of being a creative, with each member of the iconic trio struggling in their own way. This meant there was a certain melancholy within the story. The characters reflected on their past, their present and their future. With Charles (Steve Martin), Oliver (Martin Short) and Mabel (Selena Gomez) having accepted their truth, season 4 opens a new chapter. After Broadway, the next step is obviously a Hollywood adaptation of their podcast. It is also a choice that makes sense story wise. The film industry has an important presence in the series with Charles being an actor. And let’s be honest, Hollywood adapts anything that’s possible to adapt, even things that shouldn’t made into films, so it seems accurate!

This film in the making forces the characters to face how people see them through the actors playing them. In a way, season 4 is very much about how one is perceived by others and how one is more than just that. It goes for Charles, Oliver and Mabel but it’s also the same with the other characters including the actors who are supposed to play them in this film. These actors are presented as Hollywood cliché, they’re parodies of themselves. Though, there’s also a bit more to them than that.

It’s amazing to see how Only Murders in the Building keeps finding exciting new stories every season. It’s never just about solving a new mystery, it’s also about having something relevant for each character’s story arc. And what the series has in store this season is worth watching! Undoubtedly, this season is less melancholic. Instead, it’s a bit somber and quite emotional at times. But overall, it is actually the funniest this series has ever been. There are countless laugh-out-loud moments. It’s sharp comedy in true Only Murders in the Building fashion.

THE BIGGEST MYSTERY YET

*ONLY MURDERS IN THE BUILDING* (Disney/Patrick Harbron) STEVE MARTIN, SELENA GOMEZ

Furthermore, it’s never easy for mystery series to keep the same quality over the years. Creating a convincing case to solve is a difficult work. But, Only Murders in the Building has done it four years in a row now. It’s not a small achievement. Each mystery has been captivating and creative in the best of ways. This series is the gift that keeps on giving. And season 4’s mystery is the biggest one yet. Like the characters, there’s more to this than it appears to be. It’s a complex and riveting mystery that will keep you guessing. There are many leads and surprises. The detective board is all over the place. It’s a great sign when a series is still able to do this after several years!

To keep things even more engaging, this season introduces the residents of Arconia’s West Tower. After all, there are never too many suspects. The more, the merrier! The Westies are a bunch of new odd characters. They are a worthy addition to this series and fit just right in with the other characters.

CAST

*ONLY MURDERS IN THE BUILDING* (Disney/Eric McCandless) ZACH GALIFIANAKIS, EVA LONGORIA, EUGENE LEVY

Steve Martin, Martin Short and Selena Gomez remain an iconic trio, if not one of the very best television trios of all time. Their on-screen friendship chemistry is off the charts. It’s an absolute joy to watch them every year with their constant banter and their impeccable line delivery. They keep getting nominated at the Emmys for a reason. It’s also a pleasure to see Meryl Streep coming back for another season, she is the right casting for Oliver’s love interest.

On top of that, there are several new recruits! Molly Shannon is excellent as a deranged studio executive. She delivers her line so naturally while saying some incredibly insane stuff. I couldn’t have thought of a better actress for this role. The trio Eugene Levy, Zach Galifianakis and Eva Longoria play themselves and are a great addition to this series. It’s not easy to do self-mockery but these three are really good at doing it. The real scene stealer among the new additions is without any doubt Melissa McCarthy. No one does it like her, she is comedy gold. It was about time she joined this series.

VERDICT

Only Murders in the Building is back and it’s better than ever. Season 4 delivers a complex and riveting new mystery while also being the funniest this series has ever been. The trio Steve Martin, Martin Short and Selena Gomez remains iconic and once again they are joined by great new guest stars!