“Only Murders in the Building” has been one of my favorite comfort watches ever since I streamed the first season, and my excitement has stayed just as high waiting for season 5. Having seen these new episodes early, I can confidently say it doesn’t disappoint once again, and I’m convinced this is one of those shows that will never get old.
As a quick refresher, season 4 concluded with the discovery of the Arconia's doorman, Lester (Teddy Coluca), dead in the courtyard fountain. The finale also introduced a new character, Sofia Caccimelio (Téa Leoni), who reaches out to Charles (Steve Martin) about her missing husband, a crime kingpin. This is an element that plays a major role in season 5.
The upcoming season sees Charles, Oliver (Martin Short), and Mabel (Selena Gomez) refuse to believe Lester's death was an accident and embark on a new investigation. Their search exposes a maze of secrets linking powerful billionaires, old-school mobsters, and mysterious residents of the Arconia.
Season 5 also introduces several guest stars that only added to my excitement, including Renée Zellweger, Keegan-Michael Key, Christoph Waltz, Logan Lerman, Jermaine Fowler, Beanie Feldstein and Bobby Cannavale.
The biggest compliment I can give “Only Murders in the Building” season 5 is that it’s still as charming as ever, even while venturing into the darker, shadowy corners of New York. It’s gritty, hilariously chaotic, and heartfelt, centering on a mystery that feels surprisingly personal. Here’s my honest take on the new season.
A familiar mystery with a darker twist
There’s not much “Only Murders in the Building” can do with its mystery-telling format. In every season, we’re presented with a new case as the trio uncovers clues in each episode, leading to a shocking revelation in the finale. Add in some red herrings and romantic side plots, and you’ve pretty much got a standard formula.
In other series, I might see this as a flaw, but here it’s perhaps the show's strongest element because it maintains its easy-watching, comfort-viewing appeal. This time, though, we’re presented with a darker tone, which at least makes the new episodes feel different from what we’ve encountered before.
During my interview with series regular Michael Cyril Creighton (who plays Howard), he teased a grittier tone, and that’s very much present from episode one as the trio make a shocking discovery that involves the mob. Exploring the seedy underbelly of New York feels like a refreshing twist on the show’s murder mystery format.
But along with this darker tone comes a more personal aspect, one that tugs at your heartstrings, especially in episode 2, which delves into Lester’s past and his younger self working as a doorman. His interactions with the trio (especially adorable little Mabel), as well as the personalities he first encounters (not all of them friendly), give us a deeper sense of his kind-hearted nature.
Most of all, his murder hits close to home, since his character has been part of the show since season 1, even if the majority of his scenes are relatively brief. He’s been a warm presence from the start.
Thankfully, the show reveals these flashbacks early on, helping you care even more. This includes how Lester met his wife and the visual cues that gain new meaning years later, after his death, as the trio uncovers more about him.
Of course, the trio continues to be charming, with Charles flirting with a suspect, Oliver being his usual funny self after his wedding, and Mabel getting frustrated with an old friend who moves into the building. Howard, meanwhile, is feeling particularly lonely and left out after his boyfriend went away on tour.
This time, the investigation delves deeper into the darker side of New York, and we meet a roster of glamorous new suspects. Lerman, Zellweger and Waltz all feel like distinct characters who could actually exist in this world. As always, the show keeps you guessing, even as it tries to mislead you. Everyone has an important role to play, too.
Because of this season’s darker tone, some viewers might feel that a bit of the lighthearted magic that made previous seasons so easy to watch has diminished. Personally, I’m glad the show is moving away from an overabundance of comedic relief.
‘Only Murders in the Building’ season 5 proves the mystery (and the laughs) never get old
Despite its darker tone, “Only Murders in the Building” season 5 retains the show’s signature charm, and it’s fun to watch the trio dig themselves into an ever-deeper hole as they investigate Lester’s murder.
However, I did notice that some of the practical effects this season looked slightly off, like props or makeup that felt like something you might find in a store. I’m not sure if this was intentional, given the show’s comedic nature, but it did pull me out of a few scenes when all I could focus on was a fake-looking prop (I can’t say for fear of spoiling).
That said, the glitz and glamor were a real standout. The cast, especially Gomez, got to shine in sparkling, stylish outfits, which paired wonderfully with the season’s “Godfather”-like tones and added a fun, decadent contrast to the darker story.
Overall, “Only Murders in the Building” gives us another intense (but saddening) mystery to solve in season 5, and it’s still fun investigating alongside the trio even though we’ve done this several times before. It just works, and proves a show like this will never really get old.
At this stage, “Only Murders” sits comfortably at the level where it not only meets expectations but at times even surpasses them, with its writing showing no hint of faltering. I’m excited to see people’s reactions to this one.
"Only Murders in the Building" season 5 premieres on September 9, 2025, in both the U.S. (on Hulu) and the U.K. (on Disney Plus), with the first three episodes dropping at launch. The remaining episodes will be released weekly on Tuesdays.
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