How long can a good thing last? Is home a place, a group of people, or perhaps both? These are some of the questions lying at the heart of Only Murders in the Building as it returns for its fifth season. Our favorite trio of amateur detectives — Charles-Hayden Savage (Steve Martin), Oliver Putnam (Martin Short), and Mabel Mora (Selena Gomez) — is back in action to solve a new murder in the Arconia. Just when you think Only Murders in the Building might be running out of steam, Season 5 proves why this Emmy-nominated comedy series remains at the top of its game. Creators John Hoffman and Steve Martin struck gold in 2021 when Only Murders in the Building debuted on Hulu. Tapping into the obsession with murder mystery podcasts, the series follows three individuals drawn together by a murder in their residence. This unlikely trio’s chemistry has only grown stronger over the years, with Season 5 serving as a testament to their bond amidst changes, threats, and, of course, murder.
What Is ‘Only Murders in the Building’ Season 5 About?

Mabel, Charles, and Oliver in Only-Murders-in-the-Building
Image via Hulu

After our favorite trio solved Sazz Pataki’s (Jane Lynch) murder in Season 4, Oliver married his talented yet eccentric girlfriend, Loretta Durkin (Meryl Streep). The day after the wedding festivities, Charles, Mabel, and Oliver find the Arconia’s beloved doorman, Lester (Teddy Coluca), dead in the fountain. Season 5 picks up almost immediately after their heartbreaking discovery. Lester’s death is initially ruled as accidental, but does that stop our favorite podcasting trio from digging deeper? Of course not! As they investigate further, they unwittingly unravel secrets about their beloved Arconia — connections to the old mob through Nicky (Bobby Cannavale) and Sofia Caccimelio (Téa Leoni), as well as billionaires Bash Steed (Christoph Waltz), Jay Pflug (Logan Lerman), and Camila White (Renée Zellweger). Much of Season 5 is a reflection of what’s going on in the real world, where those in the top 1% hold the most power, often making boardroom decisions like they’re playing a board game. Much like Eugene Levy, Zach Galifianakis, and Eva Longoria were great foils for the trio in Season 4, Bash, Jay, and Camila function in similar ways, proving to be formidable foes to Charles, Oliver, and Mabel. Like any good mystery, each character offers a unique thread to the tapestry. While some new faces prove to be red herrings regarding Lester’s murder, they each speak to this moment in culture. They represent a power struggle between the old guard and a new type of mob, with the Arconia caught in their crosshairs. In addition to the real-world parallels of capitalist politics, Season 5 also offers commentary on technology in the form of one of Lester’s replacements, LESTR. With many industries continuing to incorporate artificial intelligence, there are legitimate fears surrounding jobs being lost and how replaceable humans are to machines. Even though LESTR becomes integral to the plot, this particular theme is at times too on the nose rather than clever or poignant. Still, some of the funnier scenes this season involve the robot and Howard (Michael Cyril Creighton).
‘Only Murder in the Building’s Trio Explores the Root of Their Problems in Season 5

Mabel covering her lips, Oliver covering his ears, and Charles covering his eyes in Only-Murders-in-the-Building
Image via Hulu

Charles, Oliver, and Mabel have come a long way since we first met them back in Season 1. Now in its fifth season, Only Murders in the Building takes time not only to investigate a new murder but also to examine what’s at the root of each of them. Mabel’s really come into her own as a podcast producer and resident of the West Tower of the Arconia. Even her wardrobe this season reflects a more coordinated, put-together Mabel Mora. But when a friend from her past, Althea “The” (Beanie Feldstein), moves into The Arconia, it throws her off and brings out her insecurities. Meanwhile, Charles finds himself in a unique position in Season 5. Both his friends are thriving and moving into new chapters in their lives. He suddenly fears he will be left behind. Out of the three, Charles experiences the most self-reflection after he attempts online dating and ponders why he finds himself drawn to morally ambiguous women like Sofia and Jan Bellows (Amy Ryan). For him, it does involve an impromptu, yet enlightening therapy session with Oliver and Detective Williams (Da’Vine Joy Randolph) in attendance. As for Oliver, he’s stepping into a new chapter of being married once again. Although they start this season as non-traditional long-distance newlyweds, Oliver starts to consider what his future looks like with Loretta, especially as the investigation draws him back to his past. Of the three, Oliver tends to be the most narcissistic. Now that he’s married, he realizes that he has to think about his present actions with Loretta in mind, without abandoning his friends in the process. As reflective as Season 5 is for the trio individually, Charles, Oliver, and Mabel are at their best when they’re together. Whether it’s Charles and Oliver attempting to mansplain ladies night to Mabel, Charles and Oliver doing their best Marlon Brando impressions, or passing movie references back and forth, the comedy and chemistry between the three of them is effortless. Simply put, they are each other’s family.
‘Only Murders in the Building’ Season 5 Makes the Arconia Matter More Than Ever

Lester laying dead in the courtyard fountain of The Arconia in the Season 4 finale of Only Murders in the Building
Image via Hulu

In four seasons, Only Murders in the Building has gone to Broadway and traveled to Hollywood, but all roads have always led back to the Arconia, and in many ways, this new season makes the building the star. We often talk about cities and places being their own characters in media. None of this is truer than with the Arconia this season and the people who give it life, with the building’s history expanded and given more depth because of Lester. In particular, Season 5, Episode 2, “After You,” is a unique lens on the Arconia’s story through Lester’s 30+ year history working as the doorman. Both Teddy Coluca and Emory Cohen lovingly dive into Lester’s life within the historic building’s walls. Often disregarded and underappreciated, Season 5 highlights how Lester was the heart and soul of the Arconia. When he died, a piece of the building died with him, and as a result, the Arconia’s future is in jeopardy. This season’s new class of guest stars is an excellent addition to the cast, but the strength of Season 5 is in characters we’ve known since the first season. Michael Cyril Creighton is a standout as Howard. When Lester is replaced by Randall (Jermaine Fowler) and LESTR, Howard becomes attached at the hip with the robot in a hilarious, obsessive fashion. Another welcomed return to Only Murders in the Building is Detective William; she returns and provides valuable aid for our favorite podcasters, whether it’s infiltrating a ladies’ night with Mabel or identifying Charles’ toxic dating patterns. Richard Kind as Vince Fish and Jackie Hoffman as Uma Heller remain as colorful as ever, and Nathan Lane returns as Teddy Dimas without missing a beat. Unlike in seasons past, it’s not enough for Charles, Oliver, and Mabel to solve Lester’s murder on their own. What makes Season 5 special is its emphasis on community. Lester was the unsung hero of the building, and when the fate of the Arconia hangs in the balance toward the end of the season, it takes everyone rallying together for their home to help solve the mystery of their doorman’s untimely death. Overall, Season 5 cleverly ties together the present mystery with the very beginning of the series, making the first season even more impactful than before. Only Murders in the Building Season 5 premieres on Hulu on September 9.

Only Murders in the Building

Only Murders in the Building Season 5 Season 5 is an intriguing mystery that highlights how the protagonists have grown.

Release Date

August 31, 2021

Network

Hulu

Showrunner

John Hoffman

Directors

Jamie Babbit, John Hoffman, Cherien Dabis, Chris Koch, Robert Pulcini, Shari Springer Berman, Adam Shankman, Don Scardino, Jesse Peretz, Jessica Yu, Jude Weng, Chris Teague

Pros & Cons

The Arconia’s lore is expanded through the life and death of Lester.
Recurring characters from previous remain as funny as ever.

Some of this season’s themes are less subtle than others.
The plotlines get off track towards the middle of the season.