ADVANCE REVIEW: Only Murders in the Building Season 2 Shows No Signs of Slowing Down

Only Murders in the Building returns for its Season 2 tomorrow, June 28, on Hulu and the show shows no signs of slowing down. The Season 2 premiere kicks off immediately after the Season 1 finale with Charles (Steve Martin) and Oliver (Martin Short) finding Mabel (Selena Gomez), covered in blood, standing over the dead body of The Arconia resident, Bunny (Jayne Houdyshell). Now, the trio must prove they had nothing to do with the murder and find the killer before they all end up in jail.

Season 2 doesn’t try to be anything it’s not. It sticks to the same formula created in Season One and doesn’t deviate from it. Each episode is used to propel the story forward and does not waste time on filler scenes or episodes. For some, the idea that the show isn’t trying to create something new may sound boring, but that’s not the case with this show. The writers manage to tell the story, while also seamlessly entwining the trio’s individual stories, leading to a captivating ride from start to finish. The humor is witty and the back-and-forth banter between Gomez, Short, and Martin is a treat to watch unfold on screen.

Martin, Short, and Gomez return as everyone’s favorite true crime podcasting trio, Charles, Oliver, and Mabel, and are even better this season than last. Short and Martin continue to prove why they are comedic legends in the Entertainment industry providing a number of well-timed lines and some of the best scenes in the new season. In regards to Gomez, in my Season One review, I noted that “…while does not have the same comedic chops as the veterans, she does well to hold her own and have her own shining moments.”. This is not the case in Season 2. Gomez stands on equal ground with her costars and her character is so fun to watch this season. Her growth from last season really shows as we watch Mabel ask herself some hard-hitting questions, and deliver great sarcastic lines this season.

Martin Short, and Gomez are joined in the new season by some old favorites from last season and some newcomers including artist, Alice (Cara Delevingne), Amy Schumer (herself), and the Bunny’s grieving mother (Shirley MacLaine). Delevingne’s Alice brings quieter moments to the season and the character does great shedding light on what is going on with Mabel this season. Schumer is funny and works well alongside Short, but it felt like her character could have been left out of the series and nothing would have changed. However, it is MacLaine that is the true standout of our newcomers. Like Martin and Short, MacLaine has an innate ability to make a line that isn’t supposed to be funny, funny. She is a lovely addition to the series and collaborates extremely well with the trio.

Only Murders in the Building Season 2 is not one to be missed. The story is interesting, the characters are fun, and the dialogue is on point. Whether you watch the new season one episode at a time or wait until it is all out to binge watch it, you need to definitely check this season out.