Only Murders in the Building - Season 1
huluThe true-crime genre has seen a massive revitalisation over the past number of years, with the conversation surrounding brutal murders gaining massive audiences on nearly every platform. Naturally, this concept would inspire works of fiction, with Hulu's Only Murders in the Building being one of the first projects to not just use this concept as a catalyst for a plot but also create a commentary on the genre as a whole. Created by Steve Martin and John Hoffman, Only Murders in the Building sees three strangers team up to solve a murder that has taken place in their New York City apartment complex, led by not just their shared obsession with a popular true-crime podcast but also by hidden individual motives that are revealed over the show’s 10-episode first season.
It is the characters that truly feel like the golden ticket for Only Murders in the Building. While on paper the pairing of Steve Martin, Martin Short, and Selena Gomez might feel somewhat odd, the trio has undeniable chemistry – the main force to suck the audience into this world and mystery. Even though their relationships are often tested by conflict and arguments, there is a charisma to their rather natural feeling banter that feels alive and real. It is hard not to have a great time with these three as they blend both serious moments with comedic jest. Gomez, especially, is surprising with possibly her best performance to date. While outwardly confident, there is a moving vulnerability to her performance that shines as the real heart and soul for the project. Gomez has struggled with these types of characters in the past but really does prove herself here and holds her own against the more established Martin and Short, who feel like they can give performances of this level in their sleep.
It is this deeper heart to the show that really elevates the overall project beyond just being a fun binge. While not every element may feel perfect, such as rather forced commentary on the fans of true crime podcasts, the overall emotion and weight of the story do shine – and there are multiple character moments that do hit right in the gut. This is not a show going through cheap motions but is rather a clearly inspired project with a love and craft. There is a purpose for this show to exist and it rarely loses itself within its more overdetermined identity.
Another key point of this identity is the location itself. The apartment complex where the majority of the show is set is rather perfect in its influence on tone and plot. It is claustrophobic enough to feel unnerving while lush enough to never feel restrictive. There is an entire world of characters and locations within this building but when the added context of a murderer living within these walls is realised, it also feels awfully small. This is only heightened by the New York City setting, which is perfect for the show. There is a seductive and poetic persona of New York felt within the show's core. From the production design to the characters, the series bleeds New York energy in the best of ways and continues to prove that cinematically, no other city carries as much weight and magic in its bones as the big apple.
The final piece of the puzzle that feels required to address is the mystery itself. Without getting into spoilers, it feels rather clear that this is going to be a rather challenging aspect for some audience members. While the mystery feels well built up to the reveal, the actual answer to the show's ultimate question feels somewhat lackluster. While not outright terrible, it does feel like the focus of various scenes and story beats could have been changed just a tad to make the final experience feel a bit more relevant from beginning to start but this is far from a massive issue. What feels more noticeably frustrating is the ending of the show, which leaves on an unsatisfying cliffhanger, but with a second season on the way, one can hope this complaint will fade with time.
Whether one is a fan of the true crime genre or not, Only Murders in the Building feels like a rather large success. The chemistry between the cast is rather flawless – with both the comedy and heart of the show beating loud. The show is both charming and shocking, leading to an easily binge-able show that will have audiences on the edge of their couch wondering what is to happen next!
