Only Murders in the Building Season 5 – Cracks in the Arconia
So here’s the thing. Only Murders in the Building has been one of those rare shows that seemed impossible to dislike. From the moment it premiered, audiences were hooked by its cozy blend of comedy, whodunnit intrigue, and an unlikely trio of sleuths—Steve Martin’s buttoned-up Charles, Martin Short’s theatrical Oliver, and Selena Gomez’s sharp-tongued Mabel. It wasn’t just a mystery series; it was a quirky portrait of loneliness, friendship, and the strange ways people find connection. But now, as the fifth season unfolds, many are asking the uncomfortable question: is the magic starting to wear off?
The show has always thrived on balance—quirky characters, clever twists, and the iconic Arconia building serving as the heartbeat of it all. Yet this season feels a little different. The death of Lester, the longtime doorman, sets things in motion. His mysterious ties to the Italian mob, a missing finger, and a trio of billionaires bring the drama. Familiar faces like Detective Williams and Loretta return, but the investigation sprawls in new directions. Instead of feeling tightly woven, the clues arrive almost at random, and the red herrings seem more frustrating than fun.
Also Read:The Arconia itself, once the anchor of the series, is often left behind as the story stretches into side plots and new locations. That distance has made the show feel less grounded. Even the podcast element—the very premise that brought Charles, Oliver, and Mabel together—slips to the background this time, which is a real loss for fans who loved the mix of satire and sincerity it offered.
Guest stars have always been part of the show’s charm—remember Sting or Amy Schumer popping up in earlier seasons? But as the cast list expands with big names like Meryl Streep, Renée Zellweger, Christoph Waltz, and Téa Leoni, it sometimes feels like star power is replacing the sharp writing that made those cameos sparkle. Streep, now playing Oliver’s wife, Loretta, divides opinion—her return adds weight, but it also tips the comedy off balance. Zellweger’s billionaire is mostly just quirks, though Waltz delivers exactly the kind of offbeat brilliance fans still crave.
That’s not to say the core trio has lost their spark. Martin, Short, and Gomez remain deeply in sync, and their performances still carry the show. Gomez, especially, continues to surprise with a performance that feels both understated and strangely magnetic. There are moments when the old magic shines through—glimpses of the humor, heart, and unpredictability that made OMITB such a standout in the first place.
So, does the show need to end now? Maybe not. Despite the cracks, there’s still plenty of charm left, and a course correction could easily set things right for a potential sixth season. Killing it off too soon would feel unfair, both to the characters and to the audience who has grown with them. For now, fans are left with a season that’s still entertaining, still funny, but perhaps not as effortlessly brilliant as it once was.
Season five of Only Murders in the Building is streaming on Disney+—and while it may not be perfect, it’s hard to walk away from the Arconia just yet.
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