‘Only Murders In The Building Season 4’ Review: Another Witty, Loveable Gem

So, you thought the only thing that could get Charles, Oliver, and Mabel to put down their microphones and pick up a camera was a murder? Think again. Season 4 of Only Murders in the Building has dropped on Hulu and it’s packed with more murder, more mystery, and a whole lot of Martin Short’s signature absurdity. 

At the end of Season 3, the murder of Ben Glenroy (Paul Rudd) had been solved, and the Arconia residents were ready to bid farewell to blood-soaked hoodies and dead bodies. But it wouldn’t be Only Murders without, well, a murder. And true to form, the season ended with a cliffhanger as we watched Charles’s stunt double and longtime friend, Sazz (Jane Lynch), get shot in his apartment.

Season 4 kicks off right where we left off but with a twist: when Charles (Steve Martin), Oliver (Martin Short), and Mabel (Selena Gomez) step into the apartment, there’s no body or bloody crime scene to be found, begging us to ask: “What the heck happened to Sazz!?”

The disappearance of Sazz sets the stage for a new investigation. Charles becomes fixated on her whereabouts while Mabel and Oliver grapple with their own personal issues. For Mabel, it’s all about finding purpose beyond podcasting. Oliver is dealing with A LOT— his Broadway show, Death Rattle Dazzle, has been scrapped (you know, because the producers are murderers). And his girlfriend Loretta (Meryl Streep)? Off gallivanting in LA filming a new TV series. 

The show’s focus on character development remains its strongest asset, ensuring the series never feels stale. The show’s signature blend of true crime and comedy remains a winning formula, and this season, it’s elevated by a touch of Hollywood satire. This leads the trio to Los Angeles, where they meet with bigwig studio exec Bev Melon (Molly Shannon).

Their crime-solving escapades have been adapted into a screenplay that seems to have skipped ahead in time, becoming a ready-to-shoot film production (did someone get ahold of the remote from Click?). All the film needs to move forward is their signature on the dotted line. 

Charles, Oliver, and Mabel meet their cinematic doppelgangers: Eugene Levy, Zach Galifianakis, and Eva Longoria—adding a new layer of complexity as our protagonists become both subjects and observers of their own narrative. The interplay between fiction and reality offers a fresh take on identity and the power of storytelling. As Charles perfectly puts it in one of his voiceovers, “Is that really me? Is that how I want to be remembered?”

While the show’s setting may have shifted slightly, its core remains the same: a quirky and charming whodunit that continues to delight with its playful banter and self-aware humor. The writing is sharp, the acting is spot-on, and the supporting cast is a who’s who of comedy legends. Steve Martin continues to shine as Charles, delivering a nuanced performance that balances comedic wit with emotional depth. And don’t worry, the Arconia is still at the heart of the series, introducing us to a new set of residents who add a delightful dynamic to the building’s already colorful community, including a Christmas-obsessed fitness influencer (Kumail Nanjiani) and eyepatch-wearing Stink Eye Joe (Richard Kind).

Only Murders has fun playing with its own identity this season. It’s a self-referential rollercoaster that’s highly entertaining while having some deeper things to say. As Charles, Oliver, and Mabel face their on-screen representations, they are forced to confront their own insecurities and desires. The season offers a poignant commentary on the nature of fame and identity. 

Sazz’s presence at the heart of this season’s mystery offers an intriguing exploration of doppelgangers as both reflections and distortions of ourselves, and their ability to challenge our understanding of reality. By blurring the lines between self and other, the show encourages us to question the ways in which media can manipulate our perceptions. It also offers a much-needed nod to the often-overlooked contributions of body doubles and stunt performers.

Only Murders in the Building Season 4 is smart, entertaining, self-aware, and a must-watch for fans of the series. It’s a testament to the show’s ability to balance humor, mystery, and character-driven storytelling, proving that it just keeps getting better season after season.

The first episode of “Only Murders in the Building” Season 4 is now available to stream on Hulu, with new episodes airing weekly on Tuesdays.