After making a big impact on Broadway in Season 3, Hulu’s “Only Murders in the Building” is taking the crime-solving trio to Hollywood in Season 4. Starring Selena Gomez, Steve Martin, and Martin Short, this Hulu original series returns with a story that connects the past and present in exciting new ways.
With their podcast getting a movie adaptation, the cast this season is more star-studded than ever, featuring celebrities like Eugene Levy, Zach Galifianakis, and Eva Longoria playing fictional versions of themselves. However, it’s not just about the famous faces; the mystery driving this story is full of hidden angles and surprises.
Created by Steve Martin and John Hoffman, “Only Murders in the Building” (OMITB) is a murder mystery series following three true-crime podcast fans — Mabel Mora (Gomez), Charles Hayden Savage (Martin), and Oliver Putnam (Short) — who all live in the historic New York building, the Arconia.
After a real murder occurs in their building, the trio starts their own podcast. The series first premiered in 2021 and was a huge hit with both fans and critics. Season 2 arrived in 2022, and in 2023, Season 3 expanded the story to Broadway. In Season 4, OMITB takes on its biggest challenge yet as the show heads to the big screen.
What Is ‘Only Murders in the Building’ Season 4 About?
After solving Ben Glenroy’s (Paul Rudd) murder, Season 3 ends with Oliver, Mabel, and Charles enjoying a well-deserved celebration. Unbeknownst to them, Charles’s friend and stunt double Sazz Pataki (Jane Lynch) is shot by a sniper while in Charles’s apartment, dressed like him.
Season 4 begins with the aftermath of this incident, but our leading trio has other concerns: Paramount wants to make a movie about them, and they are all invited to a meeting in L.A. As the story unfolds, suspicion falls on various members of the movie production and the quirky residents of the Arconia’s West Tower.
This season introduces many new characters, played by stars like Richard Kind and Kumail Nanjiani, among others. There’s also the return of an old enemy, a familiar face in a new role, and other surprises that you’ll definitely enjoy.
Season 4 of “Only Murders in the Building” is filled with an endless stream of characters, each with their own personalities and possibly dangerous secrets. The show has never focused much on coherence, and it’s normal for a season to introduce many plot threads.
For a show that releases one episode at a time, this can make it hard for casual viewers to follow the whole story. However, misleading clues and complex storylines are a key part of the mystery genre. Even with the confusion, most of the loose threads are tied up by the end of each season.
‘Only Murders in the Building’ Season 4 Isn’t Leaving the Arconia Just Yet
The main story of OMITB Season 4 still takes place in and around the Arconia. It’s still focused on murders “in the building.” Part of the story does happen in Los Angeles, and the season does show cinema and how we relate to it.
Episode 6, in particular, is a beautifully stylized look at this theme, and it runs throughout the season. However, Season 4 is not just another tribute to Hollywood and the film industry. Instead, the focus is on the people who create our favorite movies and TV shows, even though they may rarely appear on screen.
The heart of this season, and its most memorable performance, comes from Lynch in her role as Charles’s longtime stunt double. Although Sazz has been a recurring character since the beginning, Season 4 really goes into Sazz’s history and her relationship with Charles.
Their decades-old friendship brings out some of the most touching scenes of the season, with moments that highlight the deep emotional bond between actor and stuntperson.
The season isn’t just about stunt people. There’s an awkward but lovable screenwriter (played by Pachinko’s Jin Ha), who struggles with impostor syndrome. There’s a pair of award-winning indie filmmakers (played by Catherine Cohen and Siena Werber) who are delightfully odd and perhaps a little insane.
Actors like Levy, Galifianakis, and Longoria also appear as themselves, but their stories are shown in a unique way, focusing more on their craft, process, and lives off-screen than the characters they portray.
Ultimately, the show’s view of the film industry is simple: cinema isn’t just about what you see on the screen, it’s also about the people behind it, with all their quirks and complexities.
‘Only Murders in the Building’ Season 4 (Thankfully) Cuts Down on Romantic Subplots
One major improvement in Season 4 is that there’s only one romance to focus on, which is a welcome change. In past seasons, there have been whirlwind romances that quickly fall apart, especially with Selena Gomez’s character, Mabel.
In Season 4, the only significant romantic storyline is between Oliver and his new girlfriend, Loretta Durkin (Meryl Streep). Oliver’s desire to make this relationship work drives his story this season, and without other romantic subplots, it’s allowed to develop better than previous ones.
As for Mabel, this is the first season where her character’s focus is entirely on herself, without any distractions. Like in earlier seasons, Season 4 is about Mabel trying to understand her life, but now she is growing into the person she’s 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.
There’s no romance for Charles either, but he doesn’t need one this time. His story this season revolves around his relationship with Sazz, which is stronger and older than any romantic connection he’s had.
Because Charles is played by the talented Steve Martin, that relationship often turns into tragically funny physical comedy. Without giving too much away, Martin has a bathroom scene in the second episode that is both heartbreaking and hilarious. The episode showcases Martin’s comedic and dramatic talents, as does the entire season.
When it first aired in 2021, “Only Murders in the Building” renewed interest in TV mysteries. Since then, the genre has seen a resurgence, with many great mystery shows on TV and streaming. Throughout this time, OMITB has consistently improved from season to season, and Season 4 is no exception.
Witty, wonderful, and weird in all the best ways, “Only Murders in the Building” remains one of the top mystery shows, and with its quirky characters, layered mystery, and emotional depth, Season 4 might be the best yet.
Only Murders in the Building Season 4 continues the show’s tradition of blending humor, mystery, and heartfelt moments, offering fans a fresh yet familiar experience. As the trio shows new challenges in Hollywood while staying rooted in their New York home, the season delivers compelling character development and intriguing storylines.
The introduction of new faces and the return of old ones adds depth and excitement, keeping viewers engaged from start to finish. With its mix of comedy, drama, and mystery, Season 4 stands out as a strong continuation of the series, making it a must-watch for both new and returning fans.
“Only Murders in the Building” Season 4 premieres on Hulu on August 27.
