Why is Everyone Loving ‘Only Murders in the Building’ Series? [Three Episodes Review]

The true crime genre has boomed in the last few years. From podcasts to docudramas and dramatisations of infamous cases – think Dr. Death or Conversations with a Killer – it seems we have an insatiable curiosity about crime and the minds behind it.

Disney+’s new series Only Murders in the Building flips the script, following three fans of the genre and their own connection to a crime.

Oliver (Martin Short), Mabel (Selena Gomez) and Charles-Haden (Steve Martin) live in the same building on NYC’s Upper West Side. When one of the other tenants is found dead, the trio’s shared love of the same true crime podcast compels them to begin super-sleuthing missions to find the murderer, and start a true crime podcast themselves.

Three episodes in, Only Murders in the Building is promising, and has already received an 8.4 rating on IMDb as well as 97 per cent audience score on Rotten Tomatoes.

Steve Martin and Martin Short are old hands at comedy, and their decades-long friendship is evident on screen. Selena Gomez, while known for her singing and musical prowess, draws the story into a modern context and, as one of the executive producers, refuses to let you pigeon hole her talents.

From the outset, Only Murders in the Building asks some great questions, pondering how well we know our neighbours, and the commonalities we can share with strangers.

Gradually, it shows you the layers of history and experience that lie behind the smiles of casual hallway exchanges, and the assumptions we can make about people we don’t know.

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For fans of true crime – or just a good mystery – there’s a lot of joy to be found in Only Murders in the Building, as you wonder what’s going to be uncovered next, and the eccentricities of each tenant become known.

Although, you’ll find Only Murders in the Building on Disney+ it’s definitely for mature audience given some of the language and themes, but if it continues down the line it’s started with, it’ll keep you hooked ‘til the very last twist.

Only Murders in the Building is streaming on Disney+ now. Listen to Reel Dialogue‘s Russ Matthews’ review with Laura Bennett in the player above.