Only Murders in the Building Season 1 Review

The murderer could be the person standing with you in the elevator.

Season 1 of Only Murders in the Building aired in 2021. A murder occurs in a New York City apartment building. Three strangers who have lived different lives in the film industry band together to solve this case.

I could not wait to catch up on each episode of Only Murders in the Building whenever I got on the treadmill. The series is original, has a mysterious ambiance, and is provided with excellent comedic aptitudes by a talented cast.

Steve Martin, Martin Short, and Selena Gomez were a terrific team of actors. You’d never think to see a trio like this working together. Surprisingly, it worked very well. Their chemistry is what sold it.

Unexpectedly, Charles, Oliver, and Mabel become friends during this mysterious murder case. Aside from figuring out clues, they open up about issues. They have been so busy with life that they’ve avoided thinking about what matters.

The acting in this series is fantastic, led by the excellent deliveries of Martin and Short. Okay, I did not know that Martin was a talented physical comedy actor. When he was rolling around on the floor or bumping into things, I was laughing so hard!

You never know who you are going to see in this series. A lot of notable actors seen across a wide range of genres have memorable appearances. What I like about Only Murders in the Building is its attention to side characters. All the characters have depth.

Nathan Lane, as always, is a notable standout. I have never had the chance to study his acting career. Instead of sticking to the usual character, Lane has tested himself with a variety of roles. His character arc surprised me throughout the series, particularly with how serious he was.

I have only seen Amy Ryan in her unrecognizable performance in Gone Baby Gone. I am impressed with her work as an actress. She is versatile in all her performances. Now I need to check out more films Ryan has been in after her acclaimed performance in this.

An entire episode is primarily dedicated to ASL, using subtitles, and a minimal soundtrack. James Caverly who is deaf in real life was excellent as Theo conducting an emotional performance. I was so caught up in this episode that I forgot I was running on the treadmill!

Apartment settings are my favorite, especially for a murder mystery. They’re excellent places for character interactions. With all the rooms in the building, one is never sure what dark stories or items occupy them. Filmmakers paid close attention to the layout and designs.

The show keeps you guessing at every moment. I am fond of the overall tone. While there have been several murder mysteries across the media, Only Murders in the Building does something different.

Steve Martin and John Hoffman made this series about the characters. Dialogue, characters, and writing are compelling. Only Murders in the Building is a curious and fun series. The story gets a bit cluttered but it’s all part of the mystery. Thanks to the comedic timing of the trio, it’s a really funny series.

I will be honest and say that I did not think I would enjoy this series. Turns out, most people thought that. After the first five minutes, I started binging all the episodes. Only Murders in the Building has become the most-watched show on Hulu in its premiere!

Go watch Only Murders in the Building on Hulu. I am excited to start binging season 2 of the series.