The paradox of a murder mystery is that the more humorous it appears, the more unsettling it becomes upon reflection. With this in mind, Hulu’s comedy-murder series “Only Murders in the Building” may just be the most ethically questionable show on air. The series is a visual feast, showcasing an array of intricate and tasteful wallpaper designs that often steal the viewer’s attention from the grim realities of the plot. It’s easy to get lost in admiration for the bold and elaborate patterns, only to realize you’ve missed the discovery of another body. This is the charm and challenge of “Only Murders in the Building”.
The show, whose third season finale recently aired, is a comedy at heart. It boasts a warm and relaxed atmosphere, punctuated by guest stars like Meryl Streep and quirky elements such as bulldogs named Winnie. The series aims to be comforting and amusing, in that order. However, it’s still a series about murder, and therein lies the tension. It’s a cozy murder mystery that juxtaposes tasteful interior decor with brutal homicides, making you question your indifference to human suffering in favor of aesthetic appeal.
Comparing “Only Murders in the Building” with more graphic murder series like “Marcella”, it feels like a soothing balm. While “Marcella” is a relentlessly grim journey through brutal killings that leaves viewers stressed and disturbed, “Only Murders” feels like a cozy retreat. Yet, shouldn’t murder be distressing? Shows like “Marcella” place homicide within a clear moral context, reinforcing that killing is fundamentally wrong. In contrast, “Only Murders” treats corpse discovery with humor and wit, leading to more beautifully decorated rooms.
The series suggests that one way we deal with the inevitability of death is by laughing at it. In its third season, the show’s flamboyant Broadway director character, Oliver, played by Martin Short, suffers two heart attacks. Yet, his primary concern is getting back to the theater. The play he’s directing, a whimsical murder mystery musical titled “Death Rattle Dazzle!”, is a testament to this approach. The plot revolves around a complex network of parent-child relationships, secret adoptions, and Oedipal humor. It paints a picture of a world where violence and death are constants from birth till old age, and the only sensible response to these tragedies is to live as vibrantly as possible.
“Only Murders in the Building” falls under the cozy mystery genre: narratives that paradoxically use violent death to reassure audiences that the world is fundamentally a good place. Short, Gomez, and Martin are the modern American successors to a long line of amateur sleuths in quaint English villages. Like other cozy murder mystery books, “Only Murders” portrays an idealized world. However, instead of rosebushes and thatched cottages, Hulu offers an aspirational New York, reminiscent of Wes Anderson’s cityscape in “The Royal Tenenbaums”. It’s a world of charming neighbors, uniformed doormen, antique theaters with comical ghosts, and first-chair symphony bassoonists who just so happen to be murderers.
The show’s title is even rendered in a typeface designed to evoke The New Yorker, signaling its target demographic while also contributing to the world-building necessary for the cozy mystery genre. Every detective story essentially tests the strength of the existing social order. In murder thriller books for sale or on-screen, the detective’s job is not just to solve the crime but also to restore the status quo. In “Only Murders”, the amateur sleuths are not just solving crimes but also preserving an idyllic version of New York City.
“Only Murders in the Building” is a unique blend of comedy and murder mystery, offering a fresh take on the genre. It’s a compelling watch for fans of cozy mystery books and murder thriller books for sale. It’s a testament to the genre’s versatility and its ability to adapt to modern sensibilities. The show’s success lies in its ability to balance humor with the grim reality of murder, making it a must-watch for any cozy murder mystery enthusiast.