Author: Shaudi Bianca Vahdat
Dark comedy murder mysteries are having a moment. Between the return of Poker Face on Peacock, the ever-popular Only Murders in the Building on Hulu, and new shows like Netflix’s The Residence, audiences can’t seem to get enough of contemporary murder mysteries with a side of comedy.
If you just finished watching the comedy murder mystery Glass Casa and craving more laughs, twisty mysteries, and unforgettable characters, here are five recs to keep the party going. No spoilers!
Natasha Lyonne stars as Charlie Cale, an endlessly friendly, down-to-earth, slightly kooky woman with one very special ability: she can always tell when someone’s lying. Each episode finds Charlie in a new town, surrounded by a fresh cast of eccentric characters, using her human lie detector ability to solve often bizarre murders. The guest star performances are incredible, the writing is sharp, and Charlie Cale’s charming detective work is endlessly watchable.
When the White House Chief Usher is found murdered during a state dinner, detective Cordelia Cupp, a consultant with the Metropolitan Police, is on the case. Detective Cupp is observant, intelligent, and extremely into birdwatching, and all of those attributes come into play as she questions various White House staff and guests to figure out whodunit. The star-studded cast includes Uzo Aduba, Giancarlo Esposito, Randall Park, and Susan Kelechi Watson.
The fun of The Afterparty lies in its unique structure. Each episode retells the events of the night of a murder from a different character’s perspective, as Detective Danner, played by Tiffany Haddish, interrogates them. Each perspective manifests as a new genre, and as we uncover more parts of the story with each character’s interrogation, we get to see the story as a romantic comedy, a musical, a psychological thriller, and more. Season one centers on a murder at a high school reunion afterparty, while season two follows a murder at a wedding.
If you love a dark comedy murder mystery and you haven’t been watching Only Murders in the Building, you’re in for a treat. Martin Short, Selena Gomez, and Steve Martin star as residents of a New York apartment building who start a podcast about investigating murders that take place…well, in the building. It’s a joy to watch the central trio’s dynamic, and the supporting cast adds just the right amount of New York color and heart. It’s full of laugh-out-loud moments and cliffhangers that make it very easy to binge-watch all four seasons (a fifth is on the way!).
When an acquaintance from college becomes a missing person, Brooklyn 20-something Dory Sief (played by Alia Shawkat) and her friends band together to solve the mystery of her disappearance. This underrated show is a dark comedy with a unique tone, excellent performers (including comedian John Early), and plenty of surprises. While it has some overlap with Only Murders (New York setting, amatuer sleuths), expect a very different tone and vibe.
Devoured all these shows and need more? We’ve got you covered. Here’s a list of ten of our favorite comedy murder mystery movies you can stream now. And here are our tips for hosting a themed dark comedy murder mystery movie (or show!) night at home.
Or just rewatch Glass Casa, streaming everywhere now!