Only Murders In The Building Episode 6 Delivers A Clever New Perspective For Fans
Dare I say, episode six is the most creative, beautifully shot, and clever episode of Only Murders in the Building to date. From the start, the usual tone and shooting style was thrown out the window, or in this story’s case, the incinerator. After the heart-stopping ending of episode five, this episode opens with an unsettling message from the directing duo known as the Brothers. They reveal to the audience that they have been filming a documentary alongside the film production and preface the episode by informing viewers that they will be watching this documentary footage. They explain that the documentary is composed of found footage tapes, hidden cameras, and surveillance footage.
After the jarring introduction, the story picks up seconds after the fateful gunshots that shocked audiences at the end of the previous episode. The footage, captured from Howard’s (Michael Cyril Creighton) video camera on behalf of the Brothers, shows the bullets striking Glenn Stubbins (Paul Rudd) and Zack Galifianakis. Both men survived, and luckily, Oliver (Martin Short) was spared from any bullets. However, since both victims were dressed identically to Oliver—just like Sazz (Jane Lynch) was for Charles (Steve Martin)—it’s evident that the killer is targeting the podcast team. Mabel (Selena Gomez), Oliver, Charles, dash into a cab to escape the killer, with Howard recording it all. The cab is filled chaos and confusion as they wait to get home. The team is convinced the Brothers fired the gun, but the only question is: why?
Back at the Arconia, the gang begins theorizing about all the suspects, while Howard vows to record every second of their lives in case the killer succeeds in taking one of them out. Detective Williams (Da’Vine Joy Randolph) struts into the apartment, delivering perfect comedic relief along with much-needed exposition. She orders Howard to cut the cameras, which he does. The show cleverly cuts to grainy hidden camera feeds that the characters are oblivious to. Williams reveals that all the “proof” Charles has to incriminate the Brothers is purely circumstantial and she needs more concrete evidence to obtain a warrant. Most importantly, she gifts Sazz’s remains to Charles and discloses that Dudenoff is back in the country, cashing checks at a bodega in New York.
We cut back to Howard’s video camera as the team travels to an emergency production meeting by Bev Melon (Molly Shannon). She reveals Glenn and Galifianakis are fine and the film will not be jeopardized. From security camera footage, we see Mabel learn from the screenwriter that the Brothers have always made disturbing films, even as college students. Oliver, Mabel, and Charles then watch their student films for clues, where they shockingly discover Stink Eye Joe (Richard Kind) as a starring character in their most disturbing project.
While a convenient plot point, this connection furthers the mystery along. The team questions Stink Eye Joe, who finally gives more information about Dudenoff. Kind and Kumail Nanjiani return as the wacky West Wing tenants, delivering excellent information for the case. They reveal that Dudenoff was a film professor and the Brothers were his students. They apparently idolized Dudenoff to a frightening degree.
As the gang watches the film, Howard’s dog knocks Sazz’s remains over. While Mabel cleans up the mess, she discovers two left shoulder replacement joints amongst the remains. It would be physically impossible to have two left shoulders, so they quickly realize that Sazz was not the only person in the incinerator. Could this possibly indicate a double homicide?
While the team waits for Williams to run the serial number on the extra joint, Charles suggests that they confront the Brothers. The climactic scene of the episode cuts seamlessly between the Brothers' Super 8 film cameras, Howard’s digital camera, and Oliver’s faulty VHS. The Brothers reveal that Dudenoff was their only supporter and that he inspired them to create daring films. Right then, Williams texts Mabel to inform her that the joint belonged to Dudenoff, revealing that he was also murdered. In a fit of despair, the Brothers admit that they only agreed to direct the podcast film to get close to Dudenoff again since he lived in the same building, but they were unable to get in contact with him. Charles then discovers a case of small cameras, thus leading to the Brothers admitting they have been filming the team.
Determined to honor Dudenoff’s memory, the Brothers vow to keep filming the documentary as a way to investigate his murder. The Brothers follow the team to their apartments to remove all of their hidden cameras, but Charles finds a hidden camera that is not from them. Oliver, Mabel, and Charles simultaneously receive terrifying messages from Sazz’s phone number. The messages reveal that they are being watched with video footage of each of them. The final moments of the episode are chilling as the trio rushes out of the Arconia and drive away in a getaway car.
This episode dared to break the boundaries set by previous installments. Audience members felt closer than ever to the action, thanks to the integration of various video formats that made the episode feel more intimate. Whether the scene was captured by Howard’s camera, a Snapchat video, grainy security footage, Super 8 film cameras, or even drone recordings, the episode progressed seamlessly to its final scene. This installment raised the bar for the series, which consistently strives to tell its stories in innovative ways.
With two murder victims and the trio on the run, the show has descended into utter chaos. The stakes have never been higher for the podcast team, as someone wants them dead. Let’s hope they can solve this case and make it out alive.
Only Murders in the Building is streaming on Hulu with new episodes every Tuesday.
