When we last left Mabel (Selena Gomez), Oliver (Martin Short), and Charles (Steve Martin) they’d killed it on Broadway, subsequently solving the case of a man who was doubled-murdered. I’d apologize for the play on words in that opening but I don’t want to (oops, I did it again). During the opening night party Sazz (Jane Lynch) shows up with a case (of beer) and a possible lead for a new season of the Trio’s podcast. Before Sazz can clue Charles in, she gets shot in the chest and is left to bleed out on his kitchen floor.
Who shot Sazz and why? Does she live to tell? And does this season have more cameos than Deadpool & Wolverine? The answers to those questions and more are up next on Only Murders in the Building Season 4.
Realizing the stunt double is missing, the Trio goes into detective mode. Before they can find the bullet hole in Charles’ window, they get an email from a Hollywood producer named Melon (Molly Shannon). It’s adaptation time! Cue in Eva Longoria, Zach Galifianakis, and Eugene Levy. Not a bad cast for Trio–even if Mabel has questions. During the adaptation hustle, Sazz’s trail leads them to the West Wing of their building where, to Oliver’s horror, the residents “rent” their apartments. He’s so elitist. The “Westies” end up being hilariously weird, and rich in cameos rather than dollars: Daphne Rubin-Vega, Richard Kind, Kumail Nanjiani. Bonus for us, Da’Vine Joy Randolph is back as our beloved and beleaguered detective.
S4 is as much about Hollywood as S3 was about Broadway, but it also keeps the content creator jokes flowing. Longoria, the Sexy Baklava Galifianakis, and Levy play ridiculous versions of themselves while spoofing the craft of acting simultaneously. Counter to the lunacy parade, the show continues to capitalize on the emotional depth of its friendships. This time spotlighting Charles and Sazz’s bond, while allowing us to get to know the latter and her hidden pain. Through Sazz, It’s especially good to see a homage to stunt actors woven into the humor.
What else can I say about season four? The narrators switch up from episode to episode, adding perspective, the twists are labyrinthian, and these characters are so far from self-awareness they need to be introduced to themselves. The charm is high-intensity, I just don’t know if S4 charms as much as usual. Last season, I needed to know whodunit. This season, I’m okay with waiting. Still, this is Only Murders in the Building and I’m here for it until the rent runs out.
Premiering August 27, 2024 on Hulu in the U.S. and Disney+ Internationally
