‘Only Murders In The Building’ Season 5 Review – Gomez, Martin, And Short Star In A Series That Is Witty, Addictive, And Rejuvenated

Only Murders in the Building’s fifth season is a rejuvenation of sorts for a series that had grown stale in the previous season. Too often, the show hamstrings itself by relying on celebrity guest stars and then recycling them, distracting from the real reason we watch the Hulu hit: the incredible chemistry between Selena Gomez, Steve Martin, and Martin Short.

Frankly, when the casting of the series was announced, it felt more like a Vegas variety show residency than a mystery-comedy. However, the series is not just about solving murders anymore—it has evolved into a story about community. Thankfully, this season returns a bit to its roots. Martin, along with series creator John Hoffman (The Larry Sanders Show) and executive producer Dan Fogelman (This Is Us), uses flashbacks to explore the history of the Arconia, the titular character of the show.

This storytelling device gives Only Murders in the Building’s fifth season a much-needed emotional connection, forcing the characters to reflect on themselves. It also helps offset the abundance of out-of-nowhere guest stars, often used as nothing but needless MacGuffins that otherwise distract from the central story.

At the end of last season, our favorite podcasting team—procedural television legend Charles (Steve Martin), disgraced theater director Oliver (Martin Short), and millennial Mabel (Selena Gomez), stuck in a crippling existential crisis—discovered the beloved doorman Lester (The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel’s Teddy Coluca) dead in the Arconia’s fountain. At first, we’re told that Lester’s death was a tragic accident. Of course, as expected, the trio doesn’t accept that explanation.

It turns out there’s a connection to a character introduced in the fourth season’s finale: Sofia Caccimelio (Madam Secretary’s Téa Leoni). She wants the podcast trio to find her missing husband, Nicky (Boardwalk Empire’s Bobby Cannavale), a notorious mobster who owns a well-known laundromat down the street from the Arconia. They initially refuse, reminding her they aren’t police or private investigators. Then again, it’s not like this trio has ever met a boundary they couldn’t ignore or a rule they wouldn’t break.

However, Oliver, while snacking on leftover wedding appetizers, finds a severed finger in the shrimp cocktail. The discovery sets off a chain of wild twists. Three mysterious members of the ultra-rich elite (Renée Zellweger, Christoph Waltz, Logan Lerman) quickly become prime suspects. A grieving widow (Dianne Wiest) adds layers of sorrow and suspicion. Secret underground relics come to light, paired with a troubling new use of artificial intelligence. The return of an old friend (Da’Vine Joy Randolph) brings warmth and familiarity.

Combined with moments of poignant reflection, these elements make this the best season Only Murders in the Building has delivered in years. Luckily, that’s because the three main characters take back their center stage roles, much to the enjoyment of the audience. However, the intro of the big three guest stars may be the most needless episode of filler in the history of this Hulu streaming series. The writing this season is especially strong, focusing on the blue-collar workers, and then having the characters take a long look at their selfish ways.

Of course, the three remain delightfully self-involved. Gomez proves a talent for comic relief and serves as an effective straight woman to the two legendary comedians. The writing is sharp, with returning guest stars who enhance the story rather than distract from it. Yet it may be the death of beloved doorman Lester that ties everything together, making us care about where the story is headed instead of feeling dragged along on a recycled ride.

Only Murders in the Building’s fifth season is worth watching, especially if you are an established fan of the series. Witty, addictive, and refreshingly rejuvenated, Martin, Gomez, and Short keep the charm alive, but the show still leans too heavily on big-name guest stars, which dilutes the trio’s chemistry. Thankfully, the new storyline adds much-needed emotional resonance with moving self-examination. While Hulu did not screen the finale, season five still feels firmly back on track, reminding us why this trio made the series a hit in the first place.

Season 5 of Only Murders in the Building has debuted on Hulu. New episodes are airing every Tuesday.