Only Murders in the Building Review by Brooke Daugherty : Pop Culture Leftovers

Only Murders in the Building Review by Brooke Daugherty

September 12, 2021 7:50 pm |

Hulu dropped the first three episodes of Only Murders In The Building and I want more. What’s more believable than three people becoming friends over a podcast? Then creating their own? Honestly, that’s how I got this gig.

This series was created by star Steve Martin and John Hoffman (Grace & Frankie) who took writing duties on the first episode with Kirker Butler and Ben Smith writing Episode 2 and 3 respectively. The first two episodes were directed by Jamie Babbit (But I’m A Cheerleader) with episode three directed by Gillian Robespierre (Obvious Child). Even with a variety of writers and directors, the series feels cohesive.

‘Murders’ looks to be an Agatha Christie style murder mystery, but it is much more. It has a murder-mystery/buddy cop feel with a bit of magical realism. The opening credits are a beautiful animated homage to the Masterpiece Theater: Mystery! opening mixed with those Agatha Christie book covers.

Comedy legends Steve Martin plays aged hasbeen actor Charles-Haden Savage and Martin Short plays washed up theater director Oliver Putnam. If you’ve seen anything from the 70s though early 90s, you know when Martin and Short get together, it will be funny. Here both dial back from their Saturday Night Live days, making for a more serious but still fun series.

If you are wondering how well Selena Gomez replaces Chevy Chase as the Third Amigo (look it up children), know she does a great job. I’ve seen other people talk about her acting in this, but she does have range. Her character Maude Mora is a deadpan, sarcastic Gen-Z in her mid 20s, but drops the persona for more emotional alone moments. Plus she is actually of Mexican descent where none of the Three Amigos were.

If you have Hulu and a couple hours, I suggest you watch this. One of the best lines is “Goddamn true crime fuckin’ numb nuts”, so you know it is PCL approved.

PCL Rating: Tupperware

Rotten Tomatoes Rating: FRESH