‘Only Murders in the Building’ season 3 episode 9 review: A dramatic lead-in to the finale

As the Only Murders in the Building gang piece together the night of the murder, we learn Ben Glenroy is a man of many surprises.

Gary Catig

September 26, 2023

On the last Only Murders in the Building, Loretta makes the shocking confession that she killed Ben Glenroy. However, it was more the actions of a desperate mother protecting her son rather than an actual admission. Now the gang must act quickly in order to prevent Oliver’s girlfriend from taking the fall.

Armed with Detective Williams’s interrogations with Death Rattle’s cast and crew, Mabel, Charles, and Oliver begin to piece together the timeline of events the night Glenroy was murdered. We receive a series of flashbacks with the trio on location to garner any hint or clue that could lead to the culprit. This provides a stage production point of view that plays well with the season long motif of a theatrical play. It’s an illuminating experience that balances more outlandish moments with emotional beats between characters without detracting from each other.

The group’s investigation really shines a light on the Only Murders in the Building victim. Paul Rudd is able to make a jerk Hollywood star into a sympathetic figure. Glenroy is a man of many surprises and is actually pretty wholesome compared to his bad boy reputation. Rudd captures the character’s vulnerability and self-doubt during opening night, but feels just as comfortable in the sillier scenes with deadpan delivery.

Only Murders in the Building -- “Sitzprobe” - Episode 308 -- Cliff (Wesley Taylor) and Donna (Linda Emond), shown. — Photo: Patrick Harbron/Hulu

The episode cleverly takes all these small instants throughout this season, usually used for comedy or seemingly throwaway lines, and weave them into an entertaining yet plausible working theory. The attention to detail is admirable, and you can’t help to smile as everything comes together. It works well for story telling on a series but it would prove difficult in a court of law. Especially with how ridiculous some of the situations are.

Everything culminates into a cliffhanger worthy of Only Murders in the Building. There’s a dramatic race to the courthouse to prevent Loretta’s official confession, but the way our leads are dressed both add to the comedy and also represent how close and tight-knit they are. Plus, there is an ominous cloud hanging overhead with the new suspect lingering around. It all builds the suspense and anticipation for how things turn out in the season finale.

“Thirty” manages a nice balance of seriousness with the absurd while leaving on a cliffhanger building the excitement for the finale.