Spooky Season Series for your Watchlist
By Rosemarie O Byrne
With the recent passing of Murder She Wrote star, Angela Lansbury, I found it only fitting to write a piece on murder mysteries, especially since spooky season is underway. Let me first of all preface that this article is referring to purely fictional murder mysteries that focus on delivering cosy atmospheres and not the likes of exploitative, money grabbing documentaries or highly dramatised renditions of real life killings for profit and entertainment, which, if you havent guessed already, I do not condone. This more cosy type of genre, popularised by Murder She Wrote, is typically nothing like a modern day horror with over the top graphics and CGI. Instead, this style of show focuses on teamwork, humour and intimate bonds that occur over death and the darker happenings of life.
Again, comfort and cosiness are not typically words you would associate with a show based around a suspicious death, but it is exactly how one may describe the slow paced, innocent gags and graphics of old fashioned murder mystery television shows. Richard Osman’s books such as The Thursday Murder Club and even Graham Norton’s Holding are good examples of the style I’m speaking about. But since this is the Film &TV column, I’m here to tell you about a show you can start watching right away, if you haven’t already. I was late to the party with this one I’ll admit but I was reluctant to commit to a new series when I am so busy with college. This one is worth it, in my opinion.
Only Murders in the Building was released on Disney Plus in 2021 and it does a splendid job of capturing that innocence that Angela Lansbury brought to our screens. It came out in the late Autumn, which should show you that this is a winter time, seasonal type of show that you can very easily watch while curled up with a hot beverage and the fire lighting, or in this energy crisis, maybe just the candles lit.
Only Murders in the Building follows the lives of buddies Oliver and Charles, played by Martin Short and Steve Martin, who team up with Mabel, played by Selena Gomez, to solve a suspected murder case which has taken place in their apartment complex. Martin Short has me laughing out loud in this series with his impeccable comedic timing and theatrical delivery of lines. He successfully offers the show comedic relief in moments when the plot gets too intense. Steve Martin gives a charming portrayal of a former crime show star who, in real life, struggles to understand social cues, is a little awkward and very endearing. This trio’s unlikely friendship carries the show with the wholesome banter between the three. The overall tone of the show (so far, as I’m still on season one) is lighthearted and humorous. The pacing is just right as the plot is just engaging enough without being overwhelming.
Something I’m really enjoying about this series is how pleasing it is to the eye. There is a carefully selected colour palette of autumnal colours, burgundies, burnt oranges, forest greens and warm tones. Although there are moments of darkness in the storyline (it is a murder mystery after all), the balance of comedy is just right. This is the perfect series to watch over the holiday season, especially in the colder, darker months to get you in the mood for Halloween without having to sleep with one eye open. That said, it’s not the kind of show you can only pay half of your attention to while scrolling on your phone at the same time. One episode, without giving too much away, relies heavily on mime acting, therefore, there was the absence of audible dialogue. My level of focus had to increase to understand the twists and turns and try to piece together the mystery for myself, and I found it enjoyable to be so immersed in a TV show for once. If you’re in the mood for something cosy and to follow along a mysterious adventure, I recommend snuggling up with this show. I happen to be a child of the era when Selena Gomez reigned Disney Channel, so there is an extra layer of nostalgia and a sense of my childhood coming back to life in the series too!