Only Murders in the Building Season 4 is as cozy and as jam-packed as ever in what might be the show’s most star-studded spectacle yet. While Season 3 is every theatre aficionado’s preference, Season 4 flips everything we know and simultaneously takes the show back to its roots.
In order for a series like Only Murders in the Building to continue maintaining its charm, the showrunners need to make the deaths easy to care for. At the same time, the title here matters, and so does the Arconia. I was initially concerned that the trip to Hollywood would detract from the series’ cozy appeal (NY > LA), but I’m happy to report that my concerns were for nothing, as the writers understand what matters here. The fictional podcast-inspired movie is a big deal, but solving the murder thankfully takes precedence.
It’s also worth noting that guest stars upheld their importance in the last three seasons while still allowing our core trio and recurring players the platform to shine. This detail is particularly significant in Season 4 because how Mabel, Charles, and Oliver mesh with the actors embodying them is both hilarious and surprisingly deeper than I imagined it would be. Steve Martin and Eugene Levy are a particularly admirable duo, proving there couldn’t have been better casting for Charles. There’s a riveting banter at play with Martin Short and Zach Galifianakis that also features my favorite recurring joke from Da’Vine Joy Randolph’s Detective Donna Williams. And Eva Longoria is a class act as Mabel, but it’s hard to appreciate the decision to age her up in the fictional film—there’s great material here, but sadly, it’s the least memorable of the three.
Of course, Meryl Streep, Michael Cyril Creighton, Kumail Nanjiani, Melissa McCarthy, and Molly Shannon are also incredible. Only Murders in the Building Season 4 is nothing if not brimming with big names. All that is to say, there’s a definitive and thoughtful narrative unfolding itself on our screens this season, putting our trio on edge and bringing them closer simultaneously.
As fun as the show’s whodunnit arcs are, the friendship between Mabel, Oliver, and Charles continues to stand out as a unique and lovely light. Their camaraderie evolves throughout the season, proving that their meeting was one of the best things that’s happened to each of them. This is especially the case today as more players come and go because while they get to know others, it allows them to understand each other better. Their bond gives the show its wholesome appeal, making all of their scenes stand out. On any other show, renowned guest stars could overshadow the series regulars, but here, that’s impossible.
Interestingly, the season uses the artistry of acting to paint clear pictures of details that the podcasters could’ve missed that had been under their noses the entire time. The parallels to Season 1 matter considerably, and while we don’t have all the answers yet, it’s apparent that when we do get them, looking back will make the journey more appealing. It’s unclear how many more seasons the show will run for, but it’s also apparent that there are enough seeds to grow into exciting arcs. (Though, let’s not push it past seven.)
Only Murders in the Building Season 4 isn’t perfect, but it will undoubtedly change the course of the series. How will this fictional movie impact the real people? Will it get a sequel or a trilogy? I don’t have the answers to these questions yet, but I do know that the series wants us to keep guessing. It’s never made the culprit too easy to uncover, but it’s always made their unveiling feel earned. For once, I’m stumped even with my guesses, which has happened since Season 1.
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Still, the jokes all hit, and even though the vibes are slightly off, it feels intentional to keep us on our toes while the theatrical performances from last season are swapped with sincere beats of vulnerability. This season rightfully feels like a reflection of the past three, both from the audience’s perspectives and from the fictional film’s developmental process. In other words, it could be the best ride yet.
Only Murders in the Building Season 4 premieres exclusively on Hulu on August 27.
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