Nobody knew for how long Only murders in the building would have lasted when Charles-Haden Savage, Oliver Putnam and Mabel Mora reunited at Arconia in 2021. But after discovering the fates of Tim Cono, Bunny Folger and Ben Glenroy over three seasons, their eyes now fall on Charles’s stunt double, Sazz Pataki. His friend of over 40 years is at the center of season four’s mystery, hiding more than her fair share of secrets.
Combining elements of Angela Lansbury The Lady in Yellow and the classic Agatha Christie, Only murders in the building still feels fresh. Co-creators John Hoffman and Steve Martin have revitalized the detective story. Equal parts homage and bold reinvention of the genre, this series has attracted a slew of A-list stars and a huge fan base. It's a very high goal to achieve, but OMITB Season 4 surpasses that and goes even further.
Murders in the Building's cast alone is the key to its success
The chemistry between the stars keeps the show going
Steve Martin, Martin Short and Selena Gomez have done Only murders in the building on Hulu's hottest property, coming out of nowhere with an inspired mystery. And it's their relationship that keeps the show going. Ever since they worked together on The Three Amigos with Chevy Chase, Martin and Short were great friends. That chemistry shows on screen, giving Only murders in the building his beating heart. The detective stories come after the characters of Charles-Haden Savage and Oliver Putnam.
Martin once filled stadiums and confounded critics with his stand-up comedy. OMITB leans on his affable stage presence and capitalizes on Martin’s move to film. Fading TV actor Charles basks in past glories and finds solace in true-crime podcasts. His friend Oliver finds himself in a similar situation, struggling for relevance in a Broadway landscape that threatens to leave him behind. Gomez’s character, Mabel Mora, is the missing piece that allows them to approach things from a completely different direction.
The immediate chemistry Gomez has with Short and Martin is like a bolt from the blue. Their momentum is aided and abetted by a top-notch performance from Jane Lynch as Sazz; anyone who noticed the resemblance between her and Martin deserves a medal. Not only have the two actors given the show moments of dry wit that are priceless, but in season 4, both Martin and Lynch get a chance to get emotional. They are also, once again, surrounded by an all-star guest roster and given plenty of self-deprecating humor.
OMITB Season 4 Puts a Twist on Its Celebrity Cameos
This season takes self-awareness to another level
Only murders in the building rarely shied away from inside jokes. They added an extra dimension to the proceedings and the meta moments were never in short supply. In season four, meta humor takes on a whole new meaning when Hollywood steps in. Featuring Eva Longoria, Eugene Levy and Zach Galifianakis, audiences are invited to disappear down the rabbit hole. These accomplished actors manage to embrace exaggerated — and in some cases, hateful — versions of themselves. They give OMITBThe main trio uses different dynamics to work and help renew the show's formula.
Mabel Mora: We've been very fortunate with the people who have died in our building.
As events unfold and more residents of Arconia are revealed, season 4 begins to take on an element of social commentary. The economics of living in such a prestigious location play an intrinsic part in the proceedings. The fact that all of this is happening behind the smokescreen of a Hollywood makeover for Charles, Mabel, and Oliver makes this season 4 all the more impressive, and will give audiences a greater appreciation for the show as a whole. Its self-awareness goes into overdrive as the characters travel from New York to California.
Season 4 has a clear love for movies. The episode titles are taken from movie names, including the season premiere “Once Upon a Time in the West.” Later on, the season becomes completely auteur-driven. Not only is the narrative left to spin, but film stock is constantly being replaced and every rule that normally applies to storytelling is ignored. This isn’t the behavior of a show in decline, but rather one that’s firing on all cylinders, still hungry to confuse the audience and keep everyone on edge. It becomes clear that Sazz may not be the only murder victim in season 4, but her passing is incredibly touching and ensures that the season remains grounded in character.
OMITB Season 4 Belongs to Sazz and Charles
The connections between the characters resonate more
Only murders in the building fans rejoin the company of Charles, Mabel and Oliver because they wear their flaws with pride. The foibles of human nature make this trio and those around them so relatable. As season 4 reveals the deep roots of Charles' friendship with Sazz, experiences a radical shift. Those moments of human connection hit harder. The material allows both Martin and Short to infuse pathos into their performances. In exactly the same way that Meryl Streep possessed OMITB Season 3, Martin and Lynch take over season 4. Their bond is undeniable and their work is award-worthy.
Another standout performance is that of legendary character actor Richard Kind. In the supporting role of Vince Fish, who sports an eye patch and contagious pink eye, he brings his own personal magic as Vince Fish. Season 4 features some of the best supporting actors of any season of Only murders in the buildingEach guest star adds their own unique element to an ever-expanding ecosystem within Arconia. Between the casting, the subtle moments of cinematic homage, the intentional pathos and the pure invention, there is no doubt that Only murders in the building Season 4 is the best so far.
Only season four of Murders in the Building is available to stream on Tuesdays on Hulu.