Only Murders in the Building whips up a third gripping whodunnit

Another murder. Another investigation. Only Murders in the Building kicks off its third season with a bang, introducing a new murder mystery and an assortment of fresh characters to add to the pool of suspects. While moving away from the Arconia stops the series from retreading familiar ground, this may be the weakest season yet.

It took less than a single episode for this season to emphasise that Steve Martin, Martin Short and Selena Gomez have not lost their touch. Their signature banter and blend of comedic styles radiates off the screen. Short brings the high-energy antics, Gomez nails the deadpan one-liners and Martin sits in this middle ground that allows him to contribute to both styles. Putting the three of them together in a single room leads to big laughs and an endless amount of joy. Considering they’ve been great together since the beginning, that’s not much of a surprise. Doubling down on season two, this season is not only about the laughs, but also the heart. There’s some great emotional subplots that test the bond these three share, leading to spats and conflicts they need to overcome if they’re to solve this season’s crime. Not all of the emotional beats hit, but many of them do, and it’s great to see the actors all flex their range a little more.

Speaking of range, this really is Selena Gomez’s season to shine. She has a lot more to do than in either of her two previous outings. Her character is much more involved in the mystery, has a deeper connection to those around her and is the one taking the lead in the investigation. Gomez embraces this extended time in the limelight and taps into the emotional side of her performance really well, helping to carry the middle portion of the season when the investigation progress slows down.

Selena Gomez and the crew are joined by some huge A-list talent in the form of Paul Rudd and Meryl Streep. Both of these incredibly talented actors add a breath of fresh air and brand new dynamics to the series. They’re both wonderfully charismatic and appropriately hilarious, fitting into this quirky universe flawlessly. As much as this series is already headlined by huge stars, there was an inkling of concern that the high profile additions may be more of a distraction. Any of those concerns are quickly quelled as they both deliver exceptional performances that match the tone that the series has established in seasons prior. They’re very clearly having fun in their respective roles, contributing to the comedy and heart in a way that makes them crucial to the effectiveness of the season’s narrative.

This season’s story isn’t quite as tight and fast-paced as the murder mysteries of seasons passed, but it’s still a tension-filled whodunnit. The pilot episode comes out swinging as a true 10/10 opener, setting up the characters, the story and the death in a manner that had me immediately hooked. Unfortunately, it’s weaker through the middle of the season than this series has ever been. It seemed to meander through various subplots, unconvincingly teasing who the killer could be and not really making a tonne of investigative progress. Thankfully, the heavier focus on character relationships and strong presence of the series’ trademark humour means the episodes in question are still enjoyable, just not quite as memorable. It’s almost as if this investigation lent itself to an eight-episode season, but the writers and showrunners wanted it to hit that ten-episode mark. It’s not painfully stretched out, but it does run noticeably thin through the middle.

The writers must have been on a coffee high when constructing the final three episodes because the pace of the investigation skyrockets. These climactic episodes are loaded with huge twists, red herrings, intense drama and some of the best character moments of the season. There’s rewarding reveals, satisfying answers and great payoffs for those who stuck with the series the whole way through. What’s fantastic is that despite being loaded with narrative developments, the episodes don’t feel bloated at all, and there’s still time for more emotional character beats. If the level of tension that’s present in the final three episodes was present through the entire season, this could have easily topped what the first two seasons accomplished. But alas, it just wasn’t meant to be.

In the end, Only Murders in the Building continues to excel in crafting a murder mystery that nails both tension and comedy. This may not be the best season, but it still delivers on all the elements that make it such a widely beloved series. In fact, with the high score I’ve given it, if this is the series’ weakest season, that’s saying something. Selena Gomez shines more than ever this time around, taking the lead in the investigation and having a few strong arcs of her own. Meanwhile Steve Martin and Martin Short are as hilarious as you’d expect the comedic legends to be. The trio also hit the emotional beats with ease, giving the series more depth than ever. With a fourth season in the works, it’s never too late to jump on board this riveting joyride.

8.2/10