Genre:

Action, Crime, Drama

Release Date:

October 20, 2021

Director:

Adam Randall

Cast:

Sydney Sweeney, Megan Fox, Alexander Ludwig

Plot Summary:

Genre:

Crime, Drama, Horror

Release Date:

September 10, 2021

Director:

James Wan

Cast:

Annabelle Wallis, Maddie Hasson, Paula Marshall, George Young, Michole Briana White, Jacqueline McKenzie, Ingrid Bisu, Jake Abel

Plot Summary:

Only Murders in the Building is a hilarious and sharp Murder mystery that will have you on the edges of your seats laughing and shocked with plenty of reveals and surprises. It embarks on exactly what viewers are looking for in a suspenseful, comical mystery, which makes it more compelling to watch, especially with It’s star studded cast of characters. 

Neighbours Charles (Steve Martin), Oliver (Martin Short) and Mabel (Selena Gomez) live at the Arconia, an Upper West Side apartment building. However after being evacuated from their apartments they bond over dinner and discover each have a shared love of true crime, especially the podcast “All Is Not Ok In Oklahoma”. So when a fellow resident named Tim Kono (Julian Cihi) dies in their building a seismic shift occurs and the trio are determined to solve the mystery whilst recording an accompanying podcast (also named Only Murders In The Building). 

This Podcast is truly an integral part of the overall storyline as it seems to shape directions of their investigation in unexpected ways. This Murder mystery feels like a vehicle which is moving more towards a character-driven story, especially when there’s plenty of residents keeping secrets. Though deep down the first two episodes that are available on Disney Plus Star in the UK show that Charles, Oliver and especially Mabel are hiding secrets themselves. 

The show reunites beloved iconic comedians Steve Martin, Martin Short, who team up with Selena Gomez as the three neighbours brought together by the murder of their fellow tenant. Each brought different skillsets to the case and the series gives a good look into their backstories. 

I especially loved that each characters apartment reflected their personalities, the interior of the Arconia building is absolutely gorgeous. Steve Martin’s character Charles is a former television star, so his apartment seems to be stuck in the past. He made lots of money and has consistently updated his apartment with modern art pieces. Oliver’s (Martin short) apartment truly displays a career of glory but also failure as a theatre director. His apartment is a little overdone and lavishly luxurious. The apartment even included a grand dining room.

There is a real sweetness to these character interactions, especially with Charles and Mabel. Who is a twenty something with plenty of dry wit and a home renovation on her hands. Martin and Short are absolutely fantastic and it was great to see Selena’s return to tv in a great way. Her opening scene definitely foreshadows the unexpected but thrilling direction the series is taking as we get to know Mabel a bit more including her close circle of friends. 

Especially in episode two when these three neighbours begin to research more about the victim, especially when Mabel’s secret past starts to unravel.

In the End, ‘Only Murders In The Building’ episodes one and two take the idea of a whodunnit? and reinvent the mystery in a thrilling, suspenseful comical way. All these aspects add to the appeal of the show and will certainly make you get your detective cap on and join in this Manhattan Murder Mystery. I can’t wait to see where Episode three takes us next week.