Only Murders In The Building: Season 5 Review
It’s safe to say that the fifth season of Only Murders in the Building is, sadly, as creaking as the Arcadia’s floorboards…
The fifth season, dropping this month on Disney+ (with episodes 1-3 dropping at once), is perhaps one of the less interesting mysteries the crime-solving duo has faced thus far. As we pick off the day after Oliver’s (Martin Short) and Loretta’s (Meryl Streep) wedding, and the discovery of the dead body of beloved doorman Lester (Teddy Coluca), you can’t help but think ‘Do I really care anymore?’
The main mystery for this season is Lester’s death and his connection to the Mafia and old mob boss Nicky Caccimelio (Bobby Cannavale). Whilst it’s not as clever or adrenaline-fueled as the trio’s past adventures, there are some moments of joy and edge-of-your-seat tension. But it’s rare.
The first season was fun, even the second was enjoyable, the third and the fourth were okay, but the fifth? There’s only so much more we can take. Whilst the new season of Only Murders in the Building continues to explore our trio, the story falls short of what once was a great show. Steve Martin, Martin Short and Selena Gomez are as amazing as ever, with Short once again being the standout performer, but in a show which shines with its supporting cast and guest performers, this season fails to live up to the hype that’s been created around it.
This year’s big hitters include Renée Zellweger, Logan Lerman and Christoph Waltz, who just fail to play the roles written for them. Given Waltz’s acting past, being a bad guy should come naturally, but everything about the character just seems stiff. Lerman plays the hot guy who unavoidably has a thing for Mable (Gomez), but even his portrayal seems stilted and almost like he would rather be anywhere.
As for Zellweger, what can be said? It’s not the fact that she’s just simply too nice to play a villain; it’s the cosmetic work that distracts you from her performance. Scenes needing any type of emotion just aren’t there. The guest cast in general this season lacks the chemistry, and dare it be said, the humour of previous seasons.
But in between the bad, there is some good. Whilst there’s your usual cast of recurring neighbours, as well as the always welcome addition of Da’Vine Joy Randolph, and the great return of Nathan Lane, it’s Téa Leoni as Nicky’s wife, Sofia, that somewhat puts the other guest cast of Beanie Feldstein, Keegan-Michael Key, and even Dianne Wiest to shame.
In all, this is one season of Only Murders in the Building that you could very easily have on in the background as you get on with some housework. The Only Murder in this building? The audience, ever so slowly dying of boredom.
On Disney+ and Hulu from September 9th / Steve Martin, Martin Short, Selena Gomez, Michael Cyril Creighton, Da’Vine Joy Randolph, Beanie Feldstein, Keegan Michael-Key, Téa Leoni, Logan Lerman, Christoph Waltz, Dianne Wiest, Renée Zellweger, Bobby Cannavale and Meryl Streep / Created by Steve Martin and John Hoffman
