Only Murders In The Building Season 5: First Four Episodes Deliver Twists, Laughs, and Arconia Heartache

Fans of true crime with a side of slapstick have been buzzing since Only Murders In The Building Season 5 dropped its explosive three-episode premiere on September 9, 2025, followed by episode 4 on September 16.

Hulu's beloved comedy mystery series, starring Steve Martin, Martin Short, and Selena Gomez as the podcasting trio Charles, Oliver, and Mabel, is back in the iconic Arconia apartment building.

This season dives into the shocking death of beloved doorman Lester, uncovering mob ties, billionaire villains, and secrets that threaten the very future of their Upper West Side home.

Early reviews praise the blend of heartfelt nostalgia and wild new plot turns, making it a must-watch for cozy fall bingeing.

Is Only Murders In The Building Season 5 Still the Sharpest Mystery Comedy on TV?

Absolutely, and then some. Critics are hailing the season as a return to form after the Hollywood jaunt of season 4.

With a Certified Fresh 96% on Rotten Tomatoes from 24 reviews and a 76 on Metacritic, the consensus is clear: this installment feels fresh despite the familiar formula.

Screen Rant calls the three-episode premiere "a funny, heartfelt start," emphasizing how it serves as a love letter to the Arconia itself. TechRadar goes further, dubbing it "by far the best installment of the Hulu show to date" for its perfect balance of old and new elements that keep viewers guessing and giggling.

The magic lies in the core trio's unbreakable chemistry.

Charles's awkward paranoia, Oliver's bombastic schemes, and Mabel's grounded wit shine brighter when they're rooted back in the building. No globe-trotting distractions here; the stakes feel personal as they probe Lester's demise, ruled an accident but smelling like foul play from the jump.

Episode 2's flashback structure, exploring Lester's history with the Arconia, brings emotional depth that elevates the whodunit beyond pure farce. As Collider notes, it "cleverly ties together the present mystery with the very beginning of the series," making earlier seasons hit even harder on rewatch.

Yet, not every beat lands perfectly. The Guardian points out "cracks appearing," with some labored moments and over-reliance on guest stars. Still, the humor remains razor-sharp, from Oliver's disastrous attempts at empathy to Mabel's competitive podcast envy. If you're craving a show that mixes murder with melancholy optimism, season 5 delivers without missing a step.

What Killer Plot Twists Make Episodes 1-3 Unputdownable?

The premiere trio of episodes sets a blistering pace, blending rapid-fire reveals with nods to the show's rich history. "Nail in the Coffin" kicks off mere days after season 4's wedding chaos, with the gang discovering Lester's body in the courtyard fountain. Ruled accidental? Hardly.

Enter Sofia Caccimelio (Tea Leoni), whose missing husband Nicky (Bobby Cannavale) drags in mob intrigue, hinting at a double murder connected to the Arconia's underbelly.

Episode 2, "After You," slows for a poignant flashback to Lester's doorman days, resurrecting past victims like Tim Kono (Julian Cihi) and Bunny Folger (Jayne Houdyshell) in clever cameos.

It's a quieter hour that humanizes the building's guardian, showing his bonds with residents and wife Lorraine. TVLine praises this as "emotionally effective," proving Only Murders excels when victims hit close to home, much like Sazz's arc last season.

By "Rigor," the podcasters unearth a secret underground casino beneath the Arconia, complete with dry cleaners as fronts.

A second body drops, ramping up the paranoia. Black Girl Nerds loves the "coziness" of the trio sticking together, no big rifts this time, as they navigate New York mob lore.

The episodes end on a mob confrontation cliffhanger, with the Arconia's layout expanding via hidden passages, keeping the world-building alive and illogical in the best way.These twists aren't just shocks; they weave nostalgia into the narrative, making the Arconia feel like a living, breathing character on the brink of collapse.

Does Episode 4's Billionaire Showdown Steal the Spotlight?

Oh yes, and it might just be the season's cheekiest hour yet. "Dirty Birds" shifts gears to introduce three "hilariously unscrupulous" billionaire suspects: Bash (Christoph Waltz), Camila (Renée Zellweger), and Jay (Logan Lerman), who crash Oliver's apartment for a tense game night turned interrogation.

Screen Rant is obsessed, calling them "fabulous new villains" that force the heroes into uncharted territory. Collider highlights a major twist that "changes the investigation for good," proving the show can still shock after five seasons.The episode balances slower character beats with diabolical energy.

Mabel reunites awkwardly with old friend Thé (Beanie Feldstein), a self-obsessed popstar whose "phony humility" sparks podcast rivalry. Charles grapples with a creepy new robot doorman, LESTR, voiced by none other than Paul Rudd in a surprise resurrection.

Meanwhile, Oliver builds a murder board with Vince (Richard Kind, eye patch-free), decoding Lester's ledger for mob clues.CBR recaps the Velvet Room casino escape as pulse-pounding, while The Review Geek notes the billionaires' shallow backstories add satirical bite.

It's a chess match of wits, with the trio outmatched but never outcharmed. Some scenes drag, like robot intros, but the ending cliffhanger leaves viewers "on the edge of their seat."

Who Are the Standout New Faces Shaking Up the Arconia?

This season's guest roster is a murderer's row of talent, injecting fresh chaos into the ensemble. Tea Leoni's Sofia kicks off the mob angle with steely vulnerability, while Bobby Cannavale's Nicky brings brooding intensity.

But episode 4's billionaires steal scenes: Waltz chews scenery as the Elon-esque Bash, Zellweger layers menace under charm as Camila, and Lerman smirks through Jay's tech-bro absurdity.Beanie Feldstein's Thé digs into Mabel's loneliness, a thread Screen Rant says adds emotional layers.

Paul Rudd's disembodied LESTR voice is a meta delight, tying back to his multi-season "victim" status. Past returns like Nathan Lane's Teddy and Jane Lynch's Sazz flashbacks amplify the nostalgia. As Men's Health puts it, the cast keeps the "zany chaos" flowing, ensuring no one outstays their welcome.

These additions don't overshadow the trio; they amplify the stakes, turning the Arconia into a powder keg of egos and alibis.

How Does Season 5 Explore Heartbreak and Healing in the Arconia?

Beneath the laughs, season 5 pulses with melancholy. Lester's death isn't just a plot device; it's a gut punch to the building's soul. Episode 2's flashbacks reveal his quiet heroism, forging unlikely friendships across decades.

Forbes critiques the episode as "awful" for straining plausibility, but most see it as a tender pivot, echoing Sazz's grief in season 4.

Mabel's isolation shines through her Thé reunion, unearthing old wounds from Zoe's death. Charles confronts replacement fears via LESTR, while Oliver fights narcissism labels.

The Guardian notes an "undertow of melancholy ameliorated by optimism," as the podcasters bond over true crime to heal. It's this mix of loss and levity that makes the series addictive, reminding us why we root for these misfits.

Why Is Only Murders In The Building Season 5 the Ultimate Comfort Watch for Fall?

In a crowded streaming landscape, season 5 stands out for its unpretentious joy. Weekly drops build delicious anticipation, with episodes clocking in at binge-friendly lengths. The Arconia's gothic charm, paired with New York mob flair, grounds the absurdity in relatable heartache. As Vulture recaps, it's a "party fowl" of satire, from podcast rivalries to billionaire barbs.

Critics like The Pop Break say it "pulls zero punches," blending wit with warmth. Reddit threads buzz with gasps over twists, proving fan engagement is sky-high.

Some Closing Thoughts:

Whether you're rewatching for clues or theorizing on X, this season reaffirms why Only Murders endures: it's murder with heart.

As the Arconia's secrets unravel, one thing's certain: Charles, Oliver, and Mabel will podcast their way through, one hilarious hunch at a time.

Stream now on Hulu and join the sleuthing frenzy.

Who's your prime suspect? Let us know in the comments section down below!