Only Murders in the Building (S3): Good?

Only Murders in the Building (Season 3/2023) series is a comedy crime drama set in an old historical building in New York City, USA. So, in this thrilling murder mystery series, the homicide cases dominate. But at the same time, despite the gravity of the crimes, the love, laughter and life find a way to bloom and thrive.

One of the unique selling points of this series is the generational age difference between the lead actors (Steve Martin, Martin Short) and the lead actress (Selena Gomez). These characters not only add magic, but they also bring their warm and charming on-screen chemistry to this genre-mixing (comedy & murder) show.

Only Murders in the Building ~ OMITB

The Arconia is a real apartment building in the Upper West Side of New York City called The Belnord. Similar to most real-life high-rise residences, the Arconia does not have a 13th floor, but instead skips to the 14th. 

The exteriors for the fictitious "Arconia" building are shot at the Belnord at 225 W 86th St in Manhattan.

Series Review [Spoiler-Free]: “Only Murders in the Building” (S3, USA, 2023)

When 3 Unlikely Crime Podcasters Solve Puzzling Murder Cases, Once Again?

The synopsis

Three strangers (Steve Martin, Martin Short, and Selena Gomez) - who live in the same New York City apartment building named Arconia and share an obsession with true crime - suddenly find themselves embroiled in a murder. 

So, it follows three strangers who share an obsession with true crime and suddenly find themselves wrapped up in one. When a grisly death occurs inside their exclusive Upper West Side apartment building, the trio suspects murder and employs their precise knowledge of true crime to investigate the truth. Perhaps even more explosive are the lies they tell one another. Soon, the endangered trio comes to realise a killer might be living among them as they race to decipher the mounting clues before it's too late.

The poster

Both of these hugely talented actors - Steve Martin and Martin Short have appeared in multiple movies together spanning a 36-year friendship. We still remember their funny acts in the comedy movies, like Three Amigos! (1986), Father of the Bride (1991) and Father of the Bride Part II (1995), etc. In fact, this OMITB series is the sixth collaboration between Martin Short and Steve Martin.

Bonus info. by FM

Steve Martin (Charles-Haden S) and Martin Short (Oliver Putnam)

We have always known about the immense comedic talent of Steve Martin and Martin Short. They have entertained us with their deliveries of comic dialogues in their usual deadpan style in their movies. Above all, their comedic scenes have perfect and tuneful jugalbandi. So, the Hindi word jugalbandi means their comedy tuning is like a duet song sung in perfect tune, as we say in India. However, perhaps, given the bleak nature of the murder backdrop in this OMITB show, their humorous banter is not a full-blown comedic scene.

They have a sombre backdrop of murders taking place. But, still, their comedy scenes do elicit a chuckle or two. Still, some of the repartees are funny, and one is forced to laugh out loud. For instance, when one of the characters brings popcorn at a funeral service of a celebrity as if it were some kind of show.

Then, there are ‘the white room’ scenes.

Do not forget, when a key character states that there are three types of persons: alive, dead, and dead to me.

Selena Gomez (Mabel Mora) is great too

We have known Selena as a global pop star with 430 million followers on Instagram. In addition, we cannot get her recent global hit with Rema for their Calm Down song out of our minds. So, we never really appreciated her presence and enormous influence in this OMITB series. Nevertheless, she has managed to go toe-to-toe with the two veteran actors Steve and Martin in it. Moreover, her comedic act is like a breath of fresh air, too. Undoubtedly, she attracts and brings in younger fans to watch this highly entertaining murder mystery.

About the basic plotline of the OMITB goes this

This is a very well-written screenplay that manages to add fun comedy to the serious murder crimes. Moreover, please note that the act of murder is not as important as solving the said murder case. So, just like in the previous two seasons, a person is murdered on the building premises, too. And once again, the trio with their popular podcast, viz., Steve Martin, Martin Short and Selena Gomez team up to solve the knotty murder case. Consequently, ‘how these three comical actors solve a crime’ is the key plot of the series.

And rather interestingly, the NY police detectives have regularly failed to catch the real murderer in all the homicide cases so far. Besides, at the end of each season, we get a new murder victim.

Merlyn Streep (Loretta Durkin), Jesse Williams (Tobert) and other actors

The inclusion of both Merlyn Streep and Jesse Williams in its ensemble cast has added another dimension to this murder mystery. By all means, we wish we could tell you more about their respective roles in this season of the OMITB show. But then, we do not wish to divulge any kind of spoilers about this murder mystery. As that will certainly ruin your viewing pleasure. Although the only thing we can tell you is that Merlyn lends her charm and depth to this show. Nonetheless, Merlyn has done a great act, as always. Furthermore, she adds depth to her enigmatic character.

Then, there are other actors who all impressively played their respective roles. To name a few of them, Paul Rudd (Ben Glenroy), Tina Fey (Cinda Canning), Michael Cyril Creighton (Howard Morris), Jackie Hoffman (Uma Heller), James Caverly (Theo Dimas), Da’Vine Joy Randolph (Detective Donna Williams), etc.

Siddhartha Khosla has given praiseworthy music in this show and we loved it.

We also liked the stylish dresses worn by almost all the star cast of the show, especially those of Selena.

The conclusion

To conclude, this is a fascinating and delightful murder mystery show with the right amount of comedic ingredients. Therefore, this great show is perfect for binge-watching on any given weekend and/or holiday.

To further clarify, it has only half an hour-long episodes and ten episodes in each season. So, one can really watch a single season in one sitting. Now, go ahead, watch it, what are you waiting for, really?

Ratings: Only Murders in the Building (Seasons 1, 2 & 3) Series

The Trailer

Key Details: Only Murders in the Building (Seasons 1, 2 & 3) Series

Awards Won: Only Murders in the Building (Seasons 1 & 2) Series

Notably, a successful singer as well as an actress, Selena Gomez has also won nominations in the following awards:

Firstly, the 2023 Billboard Music Awards,

Secondly, the 81st Golden Globe Awards, &

Thirdly, the 76th Emmy Awards.

Poster & Teaser link: Only Murders in the Building (Season 1/2021) Series

Following the shocking death of Arconia Board President Bunny Folger, Charles, Oliver & Mabel race to unmask her killer. However, three (unfortunate) complications ensue - the trio is publicly implicated in Bunny’s homicide, they are now the subjects of a competing podcast, and they have to deal with a bunch of New York neighbours who all think they committed murder.

Teaser link - Only Murders in the Building (Season 1/2021) Series - A Hulu Original | YouTube.

Poster & Trailer link: Only Murders in the Building (Season 2/2022) Series

Trailer link - Only Murders in the Building (Season 2/2022) Series - Hulu | YouTube.

It was announced on October 3, 2023, that the OMITB series had been renewed by streamer Hulu for a fourth season.

Poster: Only Murders in the Building (Season 4/2024) Series

Whose murder investigation will take place in Season Four of OMITB?

As the third season closes, we witness a cliff-hanger scene again. So, Sazz Pataki {Jane Lynch - the stunt double of Charles-Haden ~ Steve Martin} is shot at. Most likely, she dies at the end of this season. But we do not know. Do we? The big question arises - was Sazz the unintended victim of this murder crime? There are so many questions surrounding the gunshot. Most likely, it seems that the killer wished to kill Charles-Haden (Steve Martin) in it. And that brings up the question of who really wished to murder him or her. Most likely, all these murder mystery questions will be answered in the upcoming season.

Featured Image & Posters of Only Murders in the Building series | Hulu.