‘Only Murders in the Building’ Season 4 Review: Steve Martin, Martin Short and Selena Gomez Return To Solve Possibly Their Craziest Murder-Mystery at Arconia (LatestLY Exclusive)

Only Murders in the Building Season 4 Review: Hulu's acclaimed hit show Only Murders in the Building ended its Season 3 finale with a shocking twist. Sazz Pataki (Jane Lynch), Charles' (Steve Martin) former bodydouble and best friend, was shot by a sniper at Charles' flat. The last we see of her, she is bleeding out on his floor. Season 4 opens with Charles, Mabel (Selena Gomez), and Oliver (Martin Short) still unaware of her apparent murder - because Sazz's body has mysteriously vanished from the room. 'Only Murders in the Building': Selena Gomez Discusses Nerves and Excitement About Her TV Comeback.

Mabel is frustrated by her inability to find affordable accommodation. Oliver is despondent after his girlfriend Loretta (Meryl Streep) leaves for Hollywood, and his play receives some bad reviews. Then, they receive an exciting offer - a production company wants to make a movie about their podcast.

They head to Los Angeles, where the studio has already cast actors to portray them. While Charles is pleased that Eugene Levy, a fan of his show, will be playing him, Oliver discovers that Zach Galifianakis is only in it for the money. Mabel, who has mixed feelings about the movie deal, is annoyed that Eva Longoria is playing her despite being older than the role calls for (blame it on test groups). As the trio contemplates their Hollywood future, Charles becomes increasingly worried about Sazz's lack of communication. By the end of the first episode, they have some answers, but these only lead to more questions. The podcast is back on!

Watch the Trailer of 'Only Murders in the Building' Season 4:

'Only Murders in the Building' Season 4 Review - A Starr-Studded Mystery Solve

The first episode of Season 4 is quite star-studded, with even Meryl Streep returning for a party scene. At one point, I feared the action might shift from the Arconia to Hollywood; thankfully, by the episode's end, the show returns to its beloved murder setting. However, this time we explore a new phase of the prestigious yet cursed building—the West Tower, and its quirky residents, whom the trio labels the "Westies." Played by actors like Richard Kind and Kumail Nanjiani, this odd bunch adds to the whimsy of the proceedings, but they aren't mere gags. They, too, have secrets, revealed one by one.

With Sazz as the victim and Charles being close to her, the mystery takes on a more personal touch, leaving us to ponder who the intended target was—Sazz or Charles. Charles' hallucinatory trips give us deeper insight into his relationship with his best friend, with both Martin and Lynch delivering fine performances. Oliver's insecurity about Loretta's busy Hollywood schedule and his conflicted feelings about their relationship are also nicely explored, though my greedy self would have liked to see more of Streep. Only Murders in the Building Season 3 Review: Selena Gomez, Martin Short and Steve Martin’s Whodunit Returns with Another Clever and Thrilling Murder-Mystery.

There’s also a surprise cameo from a returning guest star in an episode that revolves around stunt doubles, indulging in some hilarious slapstick and also some unexpected dramata. It's possibly my favourite episode of the show. The only episode where I felt a little wavering was the one where the protagonists had to tag with their 'actors' while trying to solve the crime which took some focus away from the main plotline, particularly Oliver trying to win over Galifianakis. Yet, Galifianakis, Levy, and Longoria bring their own comic flair to the chaos, with Longoria's over-intrusive character being a scene-stealing highlight.

I must admit that I’ve only seen the seven episodes sent for review, so a final opinion on the entire season will depend on how well Only Murders in the Building Season 4 lands its ending. But going by the seven episodes, the show feels more focused and better than the previous season.

'Only Murders in the Building' Season 4 Review - Final Thoughts

Only Murders in the Building Season 4 continues to deliver the wit, charm, and clever twists that have made the series a standout. The more personal stakes and the intriguing dynamics with the new "Westies" promise a season that could potentially outshine its predecessors. The first episode of Only Murders in the Building season 4 is streaming on Hulu and Disney+ Hotstar in India on August 27, 2024.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Aug 27, 2024 02:42 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).