by Alice-Ginevra Micheli, Contributing Writer
What immediately drew me to Hulu’s latest original series was, in no uncertain terms, the cast. They had managed to assemble one that housed not only powerhouse names, but names that had dropped off slightly from the film and TV spotlight in recent years. This wasn’t because they weren’t beloved stars still; the opposite, in fact. It was more that they had already achieved what they intended to and had found other pursuits that spoke to them more. Whether it was music, theatre or just taking a step back, I wasn’t expecting to see Steve Martin, Martin Short or Selena Gomez grace my television screen any time soon, let alone in a show together.
This is a sensation that I’m sure many similarly felt upon learning of this show’s existence and future release, which would have in turn drawn many an eye to chiming in to see what was so special for this show to have attracted such talent. So saying that there was plenty of expectation would be a gross understatement. However, the big question here is: did it manage to live up to all the hype?
Focusing on three true crime obsessed strangers, the show follows them as they band together to solve a murder that has just taken place in their building while recording their very own podcast. What follows is pervasive intrigue, scintillating characters, and yes, a fair amount of comedy.
Marrying the themes of a murder mystery, with the tone of a modern situational comedy, Only Murders In the Building is, in no uncertain terms, a delight. With each episode clocking in at around 30 minutes a pop, this five hour long story allows us to witness the investigation with our main characters as they stumble through their attempt to solve a crime, and captivate with every member..
As I mentioned, the show manages to marry its theme and tone in a way that is believable, yet inconceivable. That is to say, while you never feel quite as tense as some recent entrants in this genre (*cough* Mare of Easttown *cough*), the audience is still left at the end of each episodes with the desire for more — whether that is for a last beat twist, or a confounding revelation. The credits would roll, and I would find myself counting down the days until I could see what happens next.
The performances are also to be commended, as really they’re the driving force for the entire show. Not only because of their draw factor, but also because much of the story hinges on the audiences being onside with our underdogs, finding something in them that they can latch on to, only furthering their desire to see it through to the end. Of the main ensemble, Martin and Short are ideal highlights. Serving their significant talent, you can tell that they’re having the time of their lives. Their banter is highly entertaining, and exactly what I wanted out of these two. Selena Gomez is also one worth pointing out, as she not only has to also sell in her character to get us onside, but she has to go up against some of the most successful comedic actors of modern cinema. This is something that she does so beautifully, leading to very balanced and chemistry-led interactions.
All this aside, this show is not by any means perfect. Immediately, I would say that if you’re going to watch the show staggered, and as released, to get through at least the first three episodes before you make a decision. My suggestion here lies in the fact that the pacing for the immediate episodes is still one that is very much under construction. As a viewer there was a sense of disappointment as you’e rushed through the context of the matter in the first few episodes. However, about midway through the season it seems that the show runners really decided to let loose a little, and trust their intuition. So I would say that anyone wanting to dive in should be prepared for a slightly rocky road in their path of detective.
Overall, however, I would say that Only Murders in the Building is a roaring good time. High production quality, high caliber actors, and a genuinely enticing plot, there is definitely something here, something worth checking out. A well-engineered television show, I’ll be very interested to see where we move beyond the first season. No spoilers, of course, but there are some questions left in the air that could definitely lead to something even more intricate in the near future.
Until then, this is a show that is sure to please everybody. From proper belly laughs, to mysteriously uncovering major clues, to compelling storytelling, anyone can find something they would enjoy throughout the season. Funny, thrilling, and dramatic, this is definitely a show worth checking out if any of those elements even remotely interest some part of your regular tastes. Just trust me here. Have I ever steered you wrong?
Grade: A-
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