“Only Murders in the Building” is typically all earth tones, autumnal ambience, and cold-blooded killing. The third installment of this show brought razzle dazzle, as the 10 episodes revolve around production of the Broadway musical: “Death Rattle: Razzle Dazzle!” Life imitates art when on opening night, the arrogant star Ben Glenroy, played by Paul Rudd, drops dead on stage, shocking the audience, and three amateur, true-crime aficionados.
An unlikely trio was brought together in 2021. Steve Martin, Martin Short (warning: if this duo is mentioned to your parents, it will result in severe squealing, and recollection of the 1990s likely derailing your opinion of them), and Selena Gomez (something for the Disney channel generation). The three bonded over their obsession with true crime podcasts, a fixture of media that has puzzlingly ensnared the masses. A murder occurs in the trio’s building, the historic and grandiose Arconia, catalyzing their shared podcast “Only Murders in the Building.” After mysterious men clad in tie-dye, suspects ranging from Schumer to Sting, and priceless inter-generational exchanges about emojis, season three arrived with tagline “Who are we without a homicide?” and in time to be watched with pumpkin chai in hand.
The sweet juxtaposition within this show is that throughout the chilling exploration of murder motives and overall bloody plotline, there is a resonant homey feeling in the camaraderie of the trio and location of beloved Upper West Side. There is light banter and dark humor against the morbid backdrop. The new show-business lens in season three contributed to artistic scenes and laughable irony. I deductively deliberated right along with Oliver, Mabel, and Charles, chasing after every lead they spoon fed us viewers, but was happy to be fooled again; I never could have pinned the murderer.
A fan-favorite character abruptly dropped dead in the final moments of episode 10, promising renewal for a fourth season. I do not know how the writing and cinematography can be beat, but I have faith in my favorite fake podcasters.
