On August 27, 2024, Hulu premieres the fourth season of the smash hit series 'Only Murder in the Buildings', which has received rave reviews from critics, currently holding fresh at 95% on Rotten Tomatoes. Picking up where season three left off, Sazz's death sparks a new mystery as our favorite trio of Oliver, Mabel, and Charles become involved in the making of a film based on their podcast, complete with Hollywood stars. The ensemble cast includes Steve Martin, Selena Gomez, Martin Short, Meryl Streep, Jane Lynch, Eva Longoria, Molly Shannon, Eugene Levy, Melissa McCarthy, Kumail Nanjiani, Zach Galifianakis, and Richard Kind. But what did the critics say?
Abe Friedtanzer of Awards Buzz writes, "Four seasons in, this show is just as good as ever, offering reliable entertainment with just the right tinge of thoughtful melancholy." Adding, "Whereas having these three actors sending up their own personas might have felt like too much, it’s toned perfectly to match this show. Charles, Oliver, and Mabel continue on their own misadventures together, only occasionally being forced to put on an act that doesn’t feel like their very hands-on, unpolished detective work. There are also plenty of other formidable new members of the cast, including Richard Kind, Kumail Nanjiani, and Desmin Borges as residents of the Arconia and Jin Ha, Catherine Cohen, Siena Werber, and Molly Shannon as members of the filmmaking team, all with their own agendas for what this podcasters’ story will be like on the big screen. Michael Cyril Creighton receives a well-deserved promotion as Howard, while Emmy nominees Da’Vine Joy Randolph and Jane Lynch are put to great use."
Maddy Mussen of London Evening Standard was less impressed, stating, "For a background watch it’s fine, but honestly, I think this building may have finally had one too many murders. Perhaps it’s finally time to call “that’s a wrap” -- much to Oliver’s undoubted horror." Concluding, "Moreover, the stakes feel lower than ever, and it also gets a bit lazy. The show’s storytelling switches to rely on old, tired tropes (as a rule, dead characters stalking live ones to represent guilt is one of the most boring things you can do on screen in 2024) and Mabel, Charles and Oliver have little growth or character development."
Remus Noronha of Collider says, "Circling back to Mabel, this is the first season where the character’s focus is firmly on herself, without any distractions. Like previous installments, Season 4 is also about Mabel trying to come to terms with her life. But after three seasons of development, she isn’t so much finding herself as she is growing into the person she’s already become. This leads to some interesting developments and funny moments, especially when Mabel interacts with her on-screen double, Eva Longoria, and Molly Shannon’s high-powered producer, Bev Melon."
Mary Siroky of Consequence notes, "Even if the show has found itself leaning on familiar rhythms the longer it goes on, Only Murders knows its appeal. And at its core, it's two veteran comic actors having a great time, and Selena Gomez happy, comfortable, and loving every minute of it." Concluding, "Thankfully, even Meryl Streep is back as Loretta, now thriving on a television show in Los Angeles, a change that creates some long-distance anxiety for Oliver. Newly minted Oscar winner Da’Vine Joy Randolph also blessedly returns as everyone’s favorite foul-mouthed detective."
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| Photo by Dave Weatherall on Unsplash |
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