"The building always wins."
Only Murders in the Building - Symbolism & Philosophy
Symbols & Motifs
The Arconia Building
The Arconia symbolizes a microcosm of New York City life, representing both isolation and community. Its grand, historic facade hides a labyrinth of secrets, private dramas, and hidden passageways, much like its residents. It is a character in its own right, embodying the idea that while people can live inches apart, they can remain complete strangers until a shared event forces them together.
The building is the primary setting for the entire series. Exterior shots are of the real-life Belnord on the Upper West Side. The interiors, built on a soundstage, feature unique apartment designs that reflect each character's personality. The hidden passageways discovered in Season 2 further emphasize the building's mysterious nature and its history of concealed truths.
Podcasting Equipment
The microphones, mixers, and recording gear symbolize the trio's attempt to impose order and narrative on the chaos of real life and death. For Oliver, it's a new stage to direct; for Charles, a way to find his voice again; and for Mabel, a tool to uncover the truth of her own past. The podcast itself represents the modern way people process tragedy and connect with others through shared storytelling.
The podcast "Only Murders in the Building" is a central plot device in every season. The creation of each episode structures the trio's investigation, and the show often uses their podcast narration as a framing device for the television episodes themselves, blending the lines between their story and the one they are telling.
Tie-Dye Hoodie
The tie-dye hoodie symbolizes suspicion, misdirection, and the anonymity of the perpetrator. It first appears as a clue linked to a mysterious figure, turning anyone who wears one into a potential suspect. It represents the difficulty of discerning friend from foe and how easily identity can be obscured in the sprawling world of the Arconia.
In Season 1, a man in a tie-dye hoodie is a key figure in the mystery of Tim Kono's death. The clothing item becomes a recurring motif, and the shocking appearance of building manager Bunny Folger in a tie-dye hoodie at the end of Season 1, just before her death, directly implicates Mabel and sets up the mystery for Season 2.
Philosophical Questions
What is the nature of truth in an age of curated storytelling?
The series consistently explores the gap between objective truth and the narratives people construct. The trio creates a podcast that tells a story, but it's just one version of events. Their rival, Cinda Canning, is shown to manipulate facts for a more compelling narrative. This raises questions about whether the goal of such stories is to find absolute truth or to create a satisfying conclusion for an audience. The show suggests that while truth is the goal, the way we tell the story shapes its meaning and impact.
Can community and connection be found in the shared observation of tragedy?
The friendship between Charles, Oliver, and Mabel is born from a shared, almost voyeuristic, interest in the death of their neighbor. The series explores the paradox of how something as dark as murder can be the catalyst for creating something as positive as their found family. It questions whether the modern obsession with true crime is purely macabre escapism or if it stems from a deeper human desire to understand life and death, and in doing so, to connect with others who share that same curiosity and fear.
Core Meaning
At its heart, "Only Murders in the Building" is a story about the profound human need for connection in an increasingly isolated world. Through the quirky lens of a murder mystery and the modern phenomenon of true-crime podcasting, the series explores how three lonely, multi-generational individuals find purpose, friendship, and a chosen family. It suggests that the secrets we keep are often rooted in past pain and that vulnerability is the key to forming meaningful bonds. The show posits that while obsession with the tragedies of others can be a form of escapism, it can also, unexpectedly, lead to genuine empathy and community. It serves as a warm, witty commentary on how storytelling—whether on a podcast or just between friends—can help us make sense of our own lives and heal old wounds.