Only Murders in the Building Season 3 Review

It’s just like the first two murders - anyone could have done it.

Season 3 of Only Murder in the Building arrived on Hulu in 2023. There has been yet another murder, this time of an actor in Oliver’s Broadway show. A wave of arguments and disagreements occur between the trio of amateur sleuths. They’ll need to work this out quickly just like how swift opening night is approaching.

Season 3 of Only Murders in the Building acts as AI wrote it for half its run until it finds its trademark dynamic. The series lost my interest in the first half and I almost gave up on it. The hit series' third season takes a different route from its detective trio to focus on rehearsals for an upcoming musical.

Steve Martin, Martin Short, and Selena Gomez have undeniable chemistry. Like most series this year, the trio has a falling out. As they sort through their problems, they learn just how vital their friendship is. Charles and Oliver singing ‘Happy Birthday’ to Mabel is an endearing moment that I never knew I needed.

I have lost count of how many times I have listened to Steve Martin singing ‘Pickwick Triplets.’ Martin’s exuberant energy bore an unforgettable performance of his career. It's a brilliant character arc that adds depth to Charles and provides some of the most emotionally resonant moments of the season.

Only Murders in the Building welcomes new faces to season 3. Nobody was expecting the popular and talented Meryl Streep’s inclusion in the series. Streep is fantastic as Loretta. Although he has a smaller role, Paul Rudd leaves a lasting impression as Ben Glenroy. He is challenged by his usual trademark personality.

Characters from the past two seasons return like Michael Cyril Creighton as Henry. More credits include Gerald Caeser, Linda Emond, Jackie Hoffman, Ashley Park, Jeremy Shamos, and Jesse Williams. I wasn’t fond of Matthew Broderick’s cameo appearance. The writers used as much filler as possible to pad the runtime before the impactful conclusion.

While the acting hits the mark, the writing was not so strong this season. There are several moments of filler in the first few episodes. The episode where I almost stopped watching the series entirely is when Charles is locked in a custodian closet with his pet fish. He puts his fish in a toilet and then moments later flushes it down the toilet!

The writing was strangely off. It made me think that the writers went on strike and then most of it was written by AI. Humor is forced and the plot detours from the murder case to center around the performance and arguments between the characters. Only Murders in the Building is about murder!

What was up with the foul language? Every single word uttered in a sentence is the ‘F-word!’ The characters never swore like this in past seasons. It was so distasteful.

Fear not, John Hoffman and Steve Martin bring back the excitement in the last three episodes. The mystery deepens and the suspenseful returns. The payoff is worth the wait as secrets are revealed. I liked the rehearsal process for the show. I have been involved in theater for most of my life so all the rehearsals and preparation were so relatable.

I thought the series was going to end at season 3 but now it’s renewed for a fourth season. I am not complaining but it should have ended here. Only Murders in the Building is a riveting mystery-thriller series on Hulu. It’ll make you laugh and put you on edge.