‘Only Murders in the Building’ season 5 review: Take a gamble on this new mystery

The Arconia can’t seem to catch a break, especially with its employees. Only Murders in the Building Season 5 centered on a new layer of secrets hidden away in the old apartment building. You thought Season 2 uncovered everything the building had to offer? The Arconia keeps delivering.

The fifth season had gambling, power, and a collection of eccentric suspects, throwing a wrench into our plans. But more so, Only Murders in the Building Season 5 felt like a love letter to seasons past, connecting back to the people that made the building so special.

Welcome to the Arconia.

At the heart of Only Murders in the Building Season 5, we have two murder mysteries that tug at all the emotions. Well, at least for the loss of beloved doorman Lester (Teddy Coluca). His character has been here all the way since the first season, serving as a lovable comic relief and staple of the building.

Whenever the series eliminates a longstanding character (like Jane Lynch’s Sazz Pataki), we’re always in store for a wave of plot twists and new developments. These beloved characters, while popping in for jokes, fleshed out the spirit of the Arconia, and eventually, we discover that there’s so much more to their story beyond how they help the podcast trio.

Lester’s story during Only Murders in the Building Season 5 is one of history, both for the Arconia and for his life connected to the building. I loved all the callbacks and cameos that tied to his flashbacks. If there was anyone who’s connected to every single person in the building, it’s Lester.

It’s a great sight when a series remembers its past and takes the opportunity to play off the nostalgia. Cameos, Easter eggs, and callbacks are the name of the game for Lester’s story … and it’s so worth it! Especially for long-time fans of the series, you’ll be treated to a nice nostalgic touch for many of the episodes.

Plus, Lester’s wife Lorraine (Dianne Wiest) and his doorman successor Randall (Jermaine Fowler) add plenty of heart to this story. Lorraine is so lovable; it’s heartbreaking that she and Lester couldn’t have retired together at the Arconia. Meanwhile, Randall created an interesting plot arc of what it would mean for someone to fill Lester’s big shoes. You couldn’t help but root for him as he stumbled and caught up along the way.

Raising the stakes.

The other shocking death was mobster Nicky Caccimelio (Bobby Cannavale). His story line felt more akin to plot lines where the podcast trio get pulled into a case on a completely new footing. Along with Charles (Steve Martin), Oliver (Martin Short), and Mabel (Selena Gomez), we’re learning for the first time about this character, their history, and a new crop of suspects. And the season’s theme is woven throughout the episodes, influenced by the murdered victim. In this case, elements of the mob, powerful individuals, and gambling were felt throughout.

Similar to Only Murders in the Building Season 4, Nicky’s story introduced a new trio of eccentric suspects that were more outrageous than the last. But let’s face it, they were having a blast! Renée Zellweger’s lifestyle billionaire Camila White, Christoph Waltz’ tech billionaire Sebastian Steed, and Logan Lerman’s pharmaceutical billionaire Jay Pflug were all deviously cunning and campy.

Even the most newbie of crime-solving fans can pick up on the sense that something is off about this trio. We won’t spill any secrets about their twists, but they do serve as powerful enemies against the podcast trio. While Nicky’s case wasn’t the most exciting, the twists and the billionaire trio added a nice jolt of electricity to spice things up.

In addition to them, Nicky’s wife, Sofia (Téa Leoni), keeps us on our feet. For much of her plot, you’ll be left wondering if you should sympathize with her or question her connection to the greater mystery at large. Sure, she reached out to the trio to find her missing husband, but that should never remove all suspicion. Only Murders in the Building has taught us to question everything.

Beyond the tapes.

One of the overarching themes of Only Murders in the Building Season 5 stems from the podcast trio questioning their lives, wondering if they’re ready to grow. With the Arconia’s past, present, and future brought up throughout the plots, the trio’s debates served as a strong connective balance.

For instance, Charles’s insecurity about getting older and having problematic relationships gave him a chance to reevaluate himself and his inability to grow. The same can be said with Oliver questioning his future at the Arconia, and Mabel being faced with a celebrity frenemy from the past.

The trio gets so wrapped up in their true crime case that they forget to decompress from the previous one and live their lives. It’s a miracle that they’ve seen growth so far, like Oliver finding love with Loretta (Meryl Streep) or Mabel moving into the Arconia. Season 5 provided fun and developed plot arcs for our main trio, giving them more room to play for the future.

Overall.

Only Murders in the Building Season 5 created a sweet love letter to fans of the series. Between all the returning faces and flashbacks, the 10-episode season brought the mystery home for another campy adventure. The main trio fleshed out their stories in needed ways, and the supporting cast was ready to balance the weight of intrigue and excitement.

The mystery succeeds thanks to its dynamic cast of characters and new secrets, albeit with a few drawn-out bumps along the way. If you love a season where the Arconia served as its own character, this is the mystery for you.

Only Murders in the Building Season 5 is available to stream now on Hulu.