Summary
Only Murders in the Building ends its hugely successful third season with another entertaining installment. “Opening Night” features more fun and games from the cast, with the musical creating even more belly laughs and hilarious setups. There are plenty of twists in the finale too, with the show setting up another enticing murder mystery still to come.
Hulu’s original series Only Murders in the Building concludes its highly entertaining third season with Season 3 Episode 10, “Opening Night.” In the season finale, the podcasting trio confronts their lead suspect, producer Donna, on the musical’s opening night. This is the end of Only Murders in the Building Season 3, but as always with the crime comedy series, there are a few more twists in store before curtain call.
Read on for our full breakdown of the Season 3 finale, but beware of major spoilers ahead.
Only Murders in the Building Season 3 Episode 10 Recap
The finale opens with a narration from Broadway producer Donna DeMeo. She’s the trio’s lead suspect, a mother who will do anything to protect her son’s big Broadway debut. The trio explains their suspicions to Loretta, who has been saved from jail, thanks to the amateur sleuths.
They recap the facts as they stand. Donna saw the play’s bad review from Maxine, she poisoned Ben with a cookie and then pushed him to his death when he came back to life that night. Loretta adds that Donna is very sick, which is another motive for murder in this case.
Does Donna confess to Ben’s murder?
On opening night, the trio decides to confront Donna, preparing to coax a confession from the producer. They needn’t have worked so hard on their preparations though, as Donna confesses immediately. She states that she poisoned Ben to protect the show.
READ: Only Murders in the Building Season 3 Episode 9 Recap
However, Donna denies pushing Ben to his “second” death. Charles shows her the handkerchief evidence, with her lipstick stain upon it. Donna has been caught; she admits to this second murder as well. She says that she just couldn’t risk Ben ruining her son Cliff’s big moment.
The trio is surprised by the apparent ease of this confession. Donna pleads with them not to phone the police just yet. She admits that she has Stage 4 lung cancer and that she isn’t going anywhere. Donna just wants to enjoy her son’s Broadway debut before her imminent arrest.
Then Howard bursts into the room. He has even more bad news; lead actor Jonathan has taken too many pills and is completely out of it. They need a new leading man pronto. Of course, Howard wants to step up to the role, but the egotistical Oliver takes his place instead.
The show starts, with Oliver leading the opening musical number. Matthew Broderick and Uma belittle Oliver’s performance from the audience. Meanwhile, backstage, Tobert hands Mabel the confession recording. The two lovers kiss and Tobert asks Mabel to come with him to Los Angeles.
Mabel seems to be having second thoughts about Donna’s confession though, as she watches Loretta’s moving solo number from the wings. Loretta then tells Dickie the truth, that she is his mother. And Donna confesses to Cliff at the very same moment from their seats in the audience.
Upset by Donna’s confession, Cliff runs off to hide in one of the backrooms above the stage. Mabel follows him up there and confronts Donna’s son. She believes Cliff is the real killer, and that Donna was just protecting her son, admirably taking the fall for him. Flashbacks confirm that Cliff did however push Ben down the elevator shaft.
Why did Cliff kill Ben?
Ben realized that he was poisoned by a cookie. He accused Cliff, but it was Donna who had supplied the cookies in the first place. Ben then figured out that Donna was the killer and went to phone the police. Cliff and Ben then argued and a tussle followed. Cliff didn’t want his mother arrested, so he pushed Ben to his death. It’s also insinuated that Cliff hated Ben, another reason to kill him off.
READ: Only Murders in the Building Season 2 Ending Explained
Cliff pleads with Mabel in the present, telling her that it was just an accident. To avoid arrest, he dangles from a trap door, promising to kill himself instead of going to prison. This alerts the rest of the cast and crew from below. Oliver and Charles race up the many steps to Mabel’s aid after the final show-stopper number.
Next, Donna arrives, helping her son back into the safety of the room. All of the cast and crew then return to the stage for the curtain call. After a round of applause, Donna and Cliff are arrested for their crimes.
At the after-party, Oliver reads Maxine’s new review. Oliver is astounded to hear that Maxine loved the musical. He has had the dream opening night and he now has the girl of his dreams in Loretta too. Dickie comes to spoil his fun though, informing Loretta that she has had two offers for work in LA. It looks like everyone is heading to Los Angeles. Although, Mabel declines Tobert’s invitation.
Only Murders in the Building Season 3 Ending Explained
The season ends with Charles’ stunt double and friend Sazz arriving with booze. They celebrate together at the party. Charles announces that he is heading back to his apartment to get more wine. Inside the darkened apartment, Charles is shot in the chest by an unknown assailant.
While that shocking twist sinks in, Charles reappears back at the party, very much alive and kicking. It is in fact Sazz who has been shot, not Charles as first assumed. Sazz is the show’s next victim.
The finale ends with Sazz touching her bleeding wound, possibly to write a final message on the floor in her own blood.
What did you think of the Only Murders in the Building Season 3 ending? Let us know in the comments.
