Warning: The following contains major spoilers for Only Murders in the Building season 4, episode 8.
John Hoffman, who co-created and executive producesOnly Murders in the Building, offers some insight into the Dudenoff killer reveal in season 4, episode 8, “Lifeboat.” The episode traces Milton Dudenoff’s life story and sees how he became his own killer, with the Westies helping him cremate his body. Up untilthis point inOnly Murders in the Buildingseason 4, it looked like the Westies had more nefarious intentions, and that Dudenoff was a victim just like Sazz.
Hoffman toldThe Wrapthat the episode is about the tragedy and legacy of Dudenoff, who was"looking for directorial control" during “those last throws of his life"by mapping out “how he wanted to go out so specifically.” The co-creator revealed that the episode began as an homage to Martin Scorsese’sGangs of New York,but later changed. Check out his explanation below:
Episode 8 has an emotional beating heart about a man who’s lost his wife and has all of these apartments and has not had a family, a man who has taught film studies throughout his whole life and has never made a film himself and the relationship of casting a film, and before you’re out of here, what is the film that I’ve put together that means the most to me? He’s cast this floor of the Arconia filled with people who have got big dreams and the only way to try and have a springboard into those dreams is what he’s given them by not having to worry about rent.
In those last throws of his life, he was looking for directorial control. So knowing the Westies very well, he had to contain the timeframe and the location. He had mapped out this story and this script for how he wanted to go out so specifically. We have to obviously jump over some depth and history between all of them, and there’s a lot you have to assume about how close that group has gotten and how well they know each other. We do that obviously in that series of “Oh Hell” playing so you get a vibe of that. But when we get to that funeral scene, he’s got his group and in some way it’s the group that could only do it because they know him in a specific way. They’re not family in the traditional sense, but they are found family, people that you can rely on for some difficult things that family of origin would have struggles with. So in that way, the wish that he has for them is his wish for himself, which I think is lovely — and a little bit gruesome.
We had started with an homage to Martin Scorsese’s ‘The Gangs of New York,’ and as it developed further, we realized, ‘Oh, this is more Lifeboat, this is more Alfred Hitchcock.’ I’m sorry we don’t have a Scorsese representation in here for this season, but the Hitchcock one felt really right — just in that line of how far people would go to hold on together — and making a sweet analogy between a lifeboat and an affordable apartment in New York City felt intriguing.
What Hoffman’s Comments Mean For Only Murders In The Building
The Westies Are Off the Suspect List
With the revelation of Dudenoff being his own killer and the Westies standing as his found family who took care of the professor’s business after death,Only Murders in the Buildingseason 4has solved the mystery of who killed Dudenoff. Hoffman’s comment, which puts the Westies' behavior and secrecy in context, suggests thatthey are no longer suspects in Sazz’s murder. It also means that Sazz’s murder is likely a separate event from Dudenoff’s death.
Hoffman’s comment about Dudenoff seeking directorial control in his final days clears the professor fromthe Sazz suspect list. Dudenoff has no real motive in killing Sazz. On the other hand,the comment also offers a new angle into potential killer motives— could Sazz’s killer be looking for their own directorial control? The details about the struggle and tragedy of the professor, the incinerator, and utilizing one of Dudenoff’s apartments again connect the killer’s identity to the West Tower and the professor, leaving room for at least a few more twists in this mystery.
Our Take On Only Murders In The Building Season 4, Episode 8
The Show Answers One Question With More Questions
Sazz’s killer, or killers, are still out there. WhileOnly Murders in the Buildinghas offered a few clues that suggest who the culprit might be, episode 8 again throws viewers off the tracks. First, the Brothers Sisters seemed like potential murderers, and then the Westies were in the crosshairs. Now that both groups have been absolved, the question of who the true killer is remains open.
“Lifeboat” solves one murder, butevokes even more questions about Sazz’s murder. The latest episode inOnly Murders in the Buildingalso moves away fromthe Westies and Dudenoff storylineby focusing on Sazz’s stunt career. Based on past seasons, the next episode won’t reveal the killer’s identity, but just like episode 8,it’ll bring fans one step closer to the finale reveal.Dudenoff’s life story in episode 8 has just made the season finale more exciting than ever.
Only Murders in the Building
Cast
Only Murders in the Building is a mystery-comedy series following three strangers, portrayed by Steve Martin, Martin Short, and Selena Gomez, who bond over their shared obsession with true crime. Set in a Manhattan apartment building, the trio becomes embroiled in a real murder mystery within their residence.
