Hulu’s Only Murders in the Building Season 3: Mixed Reviews for Central Mystery and Romantic Plots
Throughout the first eight episodes of the third season of Hulu’s Only Murders in the Building, Mabel Mora, played by Selena Gomez, has been expressing her frustration at being the only one invested in the ongoing string of homicides that the show revolves around. This sentiment isn’t just shared by her fellow podcasting partners, Charles-Haden Savage (Steve Martin) and Oliver Putnam (Martin Short), but also by the viewers.
Central Mystery and Romantic Plots: A Flawed Approach
The central mystery in Season 3 fails to captivate audiences, as the show’s writers deliver a far sloppier storyline compared to previous seasons. The focus on lackluster romantic plots for the protagonists takes away valuable screen time from the highly anticipated guest stars, Meryl Streep and Paul Rudd.
The Season Begins with a Cliffhanger
Picking up from the cliffhanger in Season 2, Season 3 starts with the death of Ben Glenroy, portrayed by Paul Rudd, on opening night of Oliver’s Broadway show. Oliver is determined to ignore the crime and instead focuses on reviving the play, while Charles splits his time between Death Rattle and his relationship with his former makeup artist, Joy, played by Andrea Martin. Mabel, on the other hand, pursues answers with the help of documentarian Tobert, played by Jesse Williams, who falls flat compared to the show’s past love interests.
A Shift in Structure Affects the Pace
One of the strengths of Only Murders in the Building was its meta structure, with the plot moving forward as the characters discovered new clues for their podcast. However, in Season 3, the characters delay recording for several episodes, leaving significant evidence and suspects untouched while chasing false leads.
A Departure from Powerful Themes
Previous seasons of the show skillfully blended the mystery with powerful themes. Season 1 explored loneliness, while Season 2 delved into issues of legacy and complex family bonds. In contrast, Season 3 predominantly focuses on parodying the theater world, accompanied by original songs from Benj Pasek and Justin Paul, known for their work on La La Land. As a result, Mabel’s character feels disconnected from the rest of the cast. Additionally, storylines such as Mabel being offered a job by famous podcaster Cinda Canning, played by Tina Fey, and the neglect of the character growth of Charles’ relationship with Lucy, played by Zoe Colletti, feel like dead ends.
An Overstuffed Ensemble
Season 3 introduces an overstuffed ensemble, with Michael Cyril Creighton joining the main cast as Howard Morris, a cat-loving character with little depth. The other characters involved in Death Rattle, such as Kimber (Ashley Park) and the mother-son producing team of Donna (Linda Emond) and Cliff Demeo (Wesley Taylor), are largely one-note caricatures. Unfortunately, this leaves little room for the marquee guest stars to shine.
Missed Opportunities with Guest Stars
Paul Rudd delivers an excellent performance as Ben, showcasing a mix of swagger, insecurity, and cruelty. However, viewers are left craving more screen time with his character. Meryl Streep, on the other hand, plays Loretta Durkin, an aspiring actor, and while she has her moments to shine, her character doesn’t fully come together until the eighth episode.
Highlights Amidst the Disappointments
Only Murders in the Building Season 3 still offers some enjoyable moments. Charles’ absurd yet catchy patter song in Death Rattle and Donna’s heartfelt monologue about the power of a Broadway musical stand out. Jane Lynch continues to impress as Charles’ stunt double, Sazz Pataki, providing questionable advice at every turn. However, the show truly excels when Charles, Oliver, and Mabel are bickering like family while working closely together, making their separation in this season feel like wasted potential.