Only Murders in the Building returns for its third season and it’s still entertaining even as the series moves to the theater.
Press were only sent the first eight episodes of the new season. There’s still a decent amount of comedy and character development in third season. I do want to preface that the recent heat wave did have an impact on my viewing. This isn’t to say anything bad about the writing or acting but when it gets too hot in a room, it begins having an impact on one’s focus (when it gets too hot, all I want to do is sleep). Please keep this in mind as you read further along in my review of Only Murders in the Building. It’s more or less the reasoning as to why my grade is the way it is. There’s a strong probability that my grade will change upon doing a rewatch prior to watching the final episodes of the third season.
Rather than investigate a murder in the building, they’re now investigating the murder of the action star-turned-Broadway actor Ben Glenroy (Paul Rudd) on the opening night performance. Charles (Steve Martin), Oliver (Martin Short), and Mabel (Selena Gomez) are aided in this season’s investigation by Loretta Durkin (Meryl Streep). Can Oliver’s play even go forward? Who killed Ben Glenroy and why? Do you really think that I’m going to tell you? This is a murder mystery! You need to tune in and find out.
We knew going into the third season that Ben Glenroy was going to die. What we didn’t know was the how or why. I’ve got my suspects but no spoilers here. It was a nice way to set up the third season by casting Paul Rudd. Meryl Streep joining the cast was the real surprise. Paul Rudd doing TV is not unheard of but it really says something when an actress of Streep’s caliber is doing TV. Let me tell you right now that they do not waste her talents. She is as much of a regular player here as Steve Martin, Martin Short, and Selena Gomez. It’s a fun way of changing up the status quo in the third season. I mean, you can only do so much with the same formula but it can become stale without finding a way to freshen things up.
Only Murders in the Building keeps the comedic suspense coming and shows no signs of slowing down anytime soon.
CREATORS: Steve Martin and John Hoffman
EXECUTIVE PRODUCERS: Steve Martin, John Hoffman, Martin Short, Selena Gomez, Dan Fogelman, and Jess Rosenthal
CAST: Steve Martin, Martin Short, and Selena Gomez
SPECIAL GUEST STARS: Meryl Streep and Paul Rudd
Hulu launches the third season of Only Murders In The Building with two episodes on August 8, 2023. Weekly episodes will follow on Tuesdays through August 23. Grade: 4/5
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