Review of season 4 of “Only Murders in the Building”: Murder in the cinema

At its core Only murders in the building has always been about storytelling: the personalities we build, the alibis a criminal devises, even the stories we make up about our neighbors we don't actually know. The show reflects that love of story by highlighting different types of storytelling from season to season. Seasons 1 and 2 were devoted to true crime podcasts, Season 3 headed to the theater, and Season 4 flies to Hollywood for a movie-centric crime thriller.

Only murders in the buildingThe focus on movies adds a new dimension of chaos to the adventures of Charles (Steve Martin), Oliver (Martin Short) and Mabel (Selena Gomez) this season. Not only do they investigate the disappearance of Charles' stunt double Sazz Pataki (Jane Lynch), but they also have to deal with a nonstop parade of Hollywood executives and demanding actors, any one of whom could be a murderer. But don't let the trio's trips to Los Angeles fool you – Only murders in the building is still firmly rooted in Arconia, a setting that is as twisty, fascinating and entertaining as the series itself.

Charles, Oliver and Mabel conquer Hollywood Only murders in the building Season 4.

At the beginning of the fourth season, Charles, Oliver and Mabel receive a message that could change their lives: their Only murders in the building The podcast has been optioned for a movie adaptation and the studio is fast-tracking production, so our trio heads to Hollywood, where they sign over their life rights to producer Bev Melon (Molly Shannon) and meet the actors who play their film counterparts. Enter Eugene Levy, Zach Galifianakis and Eva Longoria, all playing exaggerated versions of themselves to portray Charles, Oliver and Mabel.

But despite all the glitz and glamour of Hollywood, Charles somehow doesn't feel right. After Oliver's Deathrattle Blinding Premiere party, Sazz has seemingly disappeared from the scene. Viewers will remember that she was shot in Charles' kitchen at the end of season three, but by the start of season four, all traces of her have disappeared from his apartment and our podcasters are in the dark. As Charles slowly realizes that something bad may have happened to his dear old friend – and that He may have been the intended target – he and his co-hosts return to New York for further investigation, closely followed by film production.

Once there, Only murders in the building Season 4 adds several new twists to what we already know about the Arconia, including the introduction of a whole group of suspicious tenants living in the building's west tower. The “Westies,” played by the likes of Richard Kind, Kumail Nanjiani, and Daphne Rubin-Vega, are an eclectic bunch whose hobbies range from ultra-competitive card game nights to over-the-top Christmas decorating. (But could their interests extend… to murder?) This group of suspects fits in perfectly with the rest of the Arconia's wacky residents, proving that even after three seasons, Only murders in the building There are still many elements to explore in the eponymous building.

Only murders in the building Season 4 is a great movie to watch.

Steve Martin, Selena Gomez and Martin Short in “Only Murders in the Building”.
Photo credit: Disney / Eric McCandless

In addition to the Westies, the film elements of the fourth season remain Only murders in the building feels fresh, just like the Broadway story in Season 3.

Take the addition of Levy, Galifianakis and Longoria. Their appearance here feels like the logical progression of Only murders in the buildingTraditionally, big guest stars like Sting, Matthew Broderick and Mel Brooks play themselves. However, Levy, Galifianakis and Longoria aren't brief cameos; they're in it for the long haul, appearing in multiple episodes and serving as distorting mirrors through which our characters see themselves.

This new trio of actors also gives Only murders in the building several new character pairings to play. The otherwise cheerful Oliver has a hard time with Galifianakis, who points out his every mistake and rejects him at every turn. Elsewhere, Levy and Martin prove to be a clumsy couple made in comedy heaven, and Longoria brings a healthy dose of Desperate Housewives energy in her scenes with an often confused Mabel.

Beyond the cast, Only murders in the building uses its focus on movies as an opportunity to pay tribute to some classics. Each episode is named after a film, including Play me the song of death And Valley of the Dollsand often includes a reference (some more direct than others) to the film in question. The result is a winding path through the films and a love letter to their making, spotlighting writers, directors, stuntmen and more.

Watching films over time also encourages Only murders in the building to experiment a little with its own form, including a documentary-style episode that, while a little forced at times, shows the show is ready and willing to take more risks. All it takes is a great story and the desire to tell it, and Season 4 has both in abundance.

Only murders in the building Season 4 starts on August 27th on Hulu, with a new episode every Tuesday.