Season 4 of Only Murders in the Building has set a darker tone with its initial episodes, creating a compelling atmosphere of mystery and suspense. Episode 3, titled “Two for the Road,” injects a dose of humor and chaos, marking a shift from the intense focus on Sazz’s murder.
The arrival of Hollywood actors into the investigation adds a new layer of complexity and entertainment. Despite the disruption caused by the actors, the episode balances comedy with suspense, keeping viewers engaged and intrigued.
Hollywood Enters the Scene
The episode opens with Mabel (Selena Gomez), Oliver (Martin Short), and Charles (Steve Martin) diligently working on their murder board. They are adding new clues and questions, such as “Who can carry Sazz’s body?” and “Who hates Charles?”
Their focused discussion is interrupted by the arrival of Detective Williams (Da’Vine Joy Randolph). Detective Williams brings an update that sparks excitement in Oliver and Charles. She informs them that the federal authorities have taken over the investigation into Sazz’s murder. The feds suspect Jan (Amy Ryan) might have orchestrated the murder while she was in prison, potentially by hiring someone.
Still from Only Murders in the Building (Credit: Hulu)
Detective Williams further reveals that a bullet casing was discovered in Dudenoff’s apartment. Neighbors have identified Dudenoff as a retired professor, and they claim they did not hear a gunshot, except for Rudy (Kumail Nanjiani), known as “Christmas All the Time Guy.”
Before the trio can goes deeper into these new revelations with Detective Williams, the Hollywood actors—Eva Longoria, Eugene Levy, and Zach Galifianakis—make their entrance.
The actors assert that they are in town to shadow the trio for a day to gain a better understanding of their characters. Their arrival, however, is poorly timed. Eva is particularly enthusiastic about the murder investigation and expresses her belief that they will solve the case by the end of the day.
Mabel, on the other hand, is skeptical about the actors’ presence and wishes they would leave so she can focus on the investigation, especially since they need to investigate Rudy. Oliver is hesitant to send the actors away, hoping to improve his relationship with Zach, who seems to have a negative opinion of him.
Charles initially has no strong feelings about the actors but becomes more supportive after Eugene compliments him, much to Mabel’s annoyance.
The Investigation with a Twist
With the Hollywood actors accompanying them, each member of the trio pairs up with their actor counterparts for investigative tasks. Eva and Mabel head to Rudy’s apartment, as Rudy was the only neighbor Mabel hadn’t met in the previous episode.
However, their investigation is hampered by their constant bickering. Eva and Mabel have very different personalities, which makes Eva’s presence irritating to Mabel. The final straw comes when Eva suggests changing her character’s name to a more French-sounding “Mah-belle.” Mabel, frustrated by Eva’s behavior, tells her that she prefers to work alone and leaves.
When Mabel arrives at Rudy’s apartment later, she discovers that Eva has already been there. Eva has informed Rudy about the investigation, which Mabel believes gives Rudy a motive to hide any incriminating evidence. Rudy is friendly and welcoming, but Mabel notices a gun on the wall and a ham radio playing the Perfect Strangers theme song.
Rudy quickly hides the radio, which raises Mabel’s suspicion. Eva, impatient with the slow pace of the investigation, begins to throw things around, eventually pulling the gun off the wall and aiming it at Rudy. When she pulls the trigger, it turns out to be a toy gun from A Christmas Story.
Still from Only Murders in the Building (Credit: Hulu)
Rudy then reveals that he hates Christmas and only maintains the facade because a Christmas-themed workout video gained him significant attention. Mabel’s final question about the tinsel leads to another unexpected answer: Rudy holds up a lighter and shows that the tinsel isn’t real because it didn’t catch fire.
Trouble with Vince and Misunderstandings
As Eva and Mabel investigate Rudy, Eugene and Charles focus on Vince (Richard Kind) to determine if he is indeed hiding pink eye behind his eye patch, rather than a black eye. They devise a humorous plan to pretend they also have pink eye and visit Vince’s apartment to offer him a revolutionary pink eye antidote.
Their plan fails when Vince takes the drops out of sight. Eugene’s backup plan involves spitting water in Vince’s face, which results in Vince punching Eugene. Despite the comedic approach, Eugene and Charles confirm that Vince has a genuine case of pink eye.
During their visit, Charles and Vince clear up a misunderstanding about their rivalry. They realize that their animosity was based on false assumptions. Vince thought Charles disliked him, while Charles believed Vince hated him.
Their reconciliation is heartwarming, and they hug it out, showing that their rivalry was nothing more than a misunderstanding. As they prepare to leave, they notice a framed picture of Vince with neighbors, one of whom has a scratched-out face. This face might belong to Dudenoff, adding another layer to their investigation.
Oliver and Zach’s Dynamic
While Charles and Mabel work with their actor counterparts, Oliver focuses on improving his relationship with Zach and getting him excited about the movie. Oliver takes Zach under his wing and helps him get into character.
Zach’s lack of knowledge about musical theater, demonstrated when he answers “Lupone” to the question of who the better Mrs. Lovett is in Sweeney Todd, shocks Oliver and Howard (Michael Cyril Creighton). Despite this, Oliver and Zach have a fun day together, including a mini-musical montage to the Perfect Strangers theme.
However, Zach’s enthusiasm does not last. Oliver and Howard overhear Zach criticizing his agent and the project, leading them to believe Zach is not fully on board.
Howard steps in to defend Oliver’s quirks and often self-centered behavior, which seems to sway Zach’s opinion. Zach agrees to stick with the project and accept Oliver’s version of his character, even if it is not what Oliver originally hoped for.
Mabel’s New Plan
After her investigation with Eva, Mabel makes a stop at Dudenoff’s apartment and looks up “squatter’s rights.” Dudenoff has vanished, and Mabel considers staying in the apartment long enough to claim it, hoping it will force Dudenoff to return and face her.
She moves her belongings in and invites Charles and Oliver (and the pig) over for a housewarming party. During the party, she begins singing the Perfect Strangers theme song, which prompts Oliver to remember that the song was on the ham radio earlier.
This leads him to revisit Howard’s notes, which mention meeting someone at “445,” a radio frequency. When they tune in, they hear a chilling voice warning them to stop the investigation or face severe consequences.
The voice ominously warns, “Drop this, or you’ll be next.” This message is likely connected to Sazz’s death, as she was known to listen to ham radios.
Still from Only Murders in the Building (Credit: Hulu)
The chilling warning raises the stakes of the investigation, adding an ominous note to the ongoing mystery. Mabel, Oliver, and Charles are now faced with the challenge of continuing their investigation while dealing with the threat posed by the unknown caller.
A New Chapter in the Investigation
As the episode unfolds, the presence of Hollywood actors in their midst creates a unique dynamic for Mabel, Oliver, and Charles. The actors’ enthusiasm and interruptions bring a comedic element to the otherwise serious investigation.
Eva’s eagerness to solve the case contrasts with Mabel’s desire to focus solely on the murder, leading to humorous clashes between them. The actors’ antics add a layer of light-heartedness to the episode, balancing the darker elements of the murder mystery.
The episode also highlights the ongoing personal dynamics between the characters. Mabel’s frustration with the actors and her determination to solve the case on her own illustrate her dedication to the investigation.
Charles and Oliver’s interactions with Zach and Vince reveal the complexities of their relationships and the impact of misunderstandings. The resolution of the rivalry between Charles and Vince adds a touching moment to the episode, showing that even in the midst of a murder investigation, personal connections and reconciliations are important.
The chilling radio message at the end of the episode sets the stage for future developments in the investigation. The threat posed by the unknown caller introduces a new layer of danger and suspense, ensuring that the murder mystery remains engaging and unpredictable.
The combination of humor, personal drama, and suspense keeps viewers hooked, making Only Murders in the Building a attractive show that continues to deliver both entertainment and intrigue.
Still from Only Murders in the Building (Credit: Hulu)
In Episode 3 of Only Murders in the Building Season 4, titled “Two for the Road,” the arrival of Hollywood actors disrupts the trio’s murder investigation into Sazz’s death.
Eva Longoria, Eugene Levy, and Zach Galifianakis join Mabel (Selena Gomez), Oliver (Martin Short), and Charles (Steve Martin) as they investigate Rudy (Kumail Nanjiani), who is suspected of being involved.
The actors’ antics add humor to the episode, though Mabel’s frustration with them is evident. Meanwhile, Eugene and Charles investigate Vince (Richard Kind) for a possible cover-up, and Mabel’s new plan involves squatter’s rights, leading to a chilling radio threat.
Between films like Braveheart, Rob Roy, and Outlaw King that mix legend with dramatic flair, historical tales of heroism are always exciting. These powerful stories of rebellion and timeless struggles have fascinated audiences for years. Studios are now looking to history for more big-screen adventures.
Last week, at the Toronto International Film Festival, BAFTA-winning filmmaker Nick Hamm premiered his latest film, William Tell. This adaptation of the Swiss folk hero tells an epic story with impressive visuals and strong performances from Claes Bang, Connor Swindells, and Rafe Spall. The film is visually stunning and has gripping battle scenes but struggles with maintaining a consistent tone.
The movie was filmed in Italy, using South Tyrol to represent 14th-century Switzerland. This setting adds a vivid and engaging touch to the film. However, despite the beautiful visuals and strong performances, the emotional impact feels a bit disconnected.
The film, while a noteworthy addition to the genre, sometimes gets lost in dramatic and action-packed moments without a clear direction throughout its 133-minute runtime. Additionally, it relies on a familiar plot device that feels superficial and detracts from the core story.
What Is ‘William Tell’ About?
If you are unfamiliar with the tale or the famous opera overture, the film begins with the hero, William Tell (played by Bang), having to shoot an apple off his son’s head. This tense scene grabs the audience’s attention and makes them curious about how the story reached this point.
The film then goes back three days to show Europe on the brink of war. The Swiss people are suffering under the harsh rule of an Austrian king named Albrecht (played by Sir Ben Kingsley) and his cruel tax collectors.
The story begins with a shocking act of violence where a villager seeks revenge after his wife is assaulted and killed. This brutal start sets the tone for intense action and the efforts of men (and two leading women) to save the day.
However, the commodification of assault in the film feels superficial. The film embellishes its lore for cinematic appeal, making the assault seem like a tired plot device that reinforces the white male savior culture.
The film picks up when the villager meets William Tell, who desires a quiet life after fighting with the Knights Templar. However, peace is not easy for him. With the locals frustrated and facing abuse of power, the weary marksman decides to fight back.
He picks up his crossbow to lead the fight against the oppressive Hapsburgs and confronts the king’s ruthless henchman, Viceroy Gessler (played by Swindells). William receives help from his friends and former army mates, including fellow Crusader Stauffacher (played by Spall).
Still from William Tell (Credit: Eagle Pictures)
Although it seems like a group of heroes seeking justice, the story becomes more intense. The film also shows the folk hero’s PTSD, featuring emotional drama, gruesome fight scenes, and hand-to-hand combat that rival the best in the genre.
William Tell combines elements from the ’90s epics for a revenge-driven story that shows the cost of war and hints at a larger story beyond the hero, potentially setting up for more if Hamm continues the project.
‘William Tell’ Aims High With Its Strong Performances
The film does not shy away from showing the harsh realities of rebelling against an oppressive regime. William Tell mixes quiet suspense with high-stakes action and performances that highlight the exhaustion of war.
This is especially evident in William Tell, who struggles as a reluctant hero and father while dealing with his trauma from the Crusades. Bang, known for his roles in The Square and The Northman, gives a powerful performance as the folk hero.
His portrayal adds depth and authenticity through expressive and intense acting that reveals the character’s emotional and psychological wounds.
The film features well-choreographed fight scenes that show William Tell as a formidable warrior. Bang’s commanding presence makes him exciting to watch on screen.
His interactions with his co-stars, particularly Golshifteh Farahani, who plays his wife, create a sharp and nourishing dynamic. Farahani highlights William’s softer side, adding to the film’s emotional depth.
Supporting roles also contribute to the film’s dynamism. Spall plays William Tell’s friend Stauffacher with energetic and memorable performance.
Swindells, as the villainous Gessler, brings a snide and intense portrayal that adds focus to the cast. Swindells, known for Sex Education and Barbie, delivers a fierce performance that raises the stakes in his scenes with William Tell.
‘William Tell’ Suffers From Inconsistencies Between Character and Story
Despite the strong core cast, the film underuses its supporting talent. The characters of the king’s niece (Ellie Bamber) and a Swiss nobleman (Jonah Hauer-King) seem out of place and lack strong narrative relevance. Their scenes feel excessive and could be cut to shorten the film’s runtime.
Still from William Tell (Credit: Eagle Pictures)
Kingsley’s portrayal of the Austrian king is cold and calculating but falls into predictable villain tropes. His character lacks originality and does not add much to the story.
Despite its grand setting and lush cinematography, William Tell struggles with balance. It oscillates between melodrama and action sequences, wanting to be campy yet earnest.
The film offers grand battles, menacing villains, and beautiful vistas, reminiscent of past epics. Its strong cast, impressive battle sequences, and sharp cinematography make it an engaging film. It’s a fresh take on a legendary folk hero and might appeal to those looking for a cinematic experience with historical drama.
