The recent hit Hulu original murder-mystery series, Only Murders in the Building, is one of the most intriguing and captivating shows of the genre in a long time. It draws the audience in with methodical storytelling, orchestrated beautifully by its wild and suspicious characters. The story and its characters are in many ways similar to that of the iconic whodunit film, Clue. Both have their fair share of common murder mystery tropes but they portray twists and turns, trust and distrust, and above all, characters that will do about anything to keep a secret hidden, even a murder.
The lively and wide variety of characters portrayed by talented actors makes the story come to life. With the similarities between the series and 1985 film, it is transparently clear that there is a Clue counterpart to several prominent characters in Only Murders in the Building.
Cinda Canning - Wadsworth
Cinda Canning and Wadsworth serve as the primary narrators for their tales. While Canning is not as front and center as Wadsworth is in Clue, her presence is shown and felt at the beginning and very end when she is looking at Mabel, Oliver, and Charles being escorted away in handcuffs as her assistant Poppy mutters the words, "Only murders in the building."
Both characters come off as a bit self-centered but have a keen eye for detail and intelligence. Wadsworth is even one of the smartest characters in Clue. Both he and Cinda are always one step ahead of everyone else and gradually piece the puzzle to the murders as the story plays out.
Oscar - The Cop
In Only Murders in the Building and Clue. Oscar and The Cop are the noblest and righteous people. Oscar was wrongfully imprisoned for the murder of Tim Kono, but released years later to make his present-day appearance in episode five, "Twist." In Clue, The Cop shows up towards the middle of the film after investigating an abandoned car on the road and wanting to use the phone.
Both Oscar and The Cop help solve a murder. Unfortunately, they often are in the wrong place at the worse time resulting in their imprisonment or death.
Bunny - The Cook
If it were not for Bunny's shocking murder, Cinda Canning's podcast would have never been called "Only Murders In The Building." Bunny is this persistent antagonist from episode 1 ("True Crime") and is one of the most hated people in the building, especially of the core group. She is a true old-school New Yorker but constantly tries to kick out the three podcast tenants for various reasons, one being they are the reason for the murders.
Similar to Bunny, The Cook in "Clue" is portrayed as unlikeable and hostile, especially from the guests' point of view after she serves them monkey brain stew. It sadly comes as little shock that they were murdered.
Howard Morris - Mrs. Peacock
Of all the characters in Only Murders and Clue, Howard Morris and Mrs. Peacock share the most resemblance. Their personalities are identical - both are eccentric, hilarious, fun, and playful. In the dinner scene of Clue nobody is opening up as to who they are so she says, "Well someone's got to break the ice and it might as well be me." Howard has a similar authoritative, yet hilarious command when he states, "I shouldn't speak ill of the dead" in episode three of Only Murders ("How Well Do You Know Your Neighbors?") before thereafter passionately agreeing to Mabel calling Tim an insulting expletive.
Howard and Peacock are over-the-top, wildly entertaining, and, in another moment that illustrates their similarity, both faint in their respective stories.
Tim Kono - Mr. Body
Tim Kono and Mr. Body are the two main characters that brought everyone in their stories together. To their misfortune, it was because of their death or resulting in their pending death. For Tim in Only Murders, his death occurred before the events of the story, unlike Mr. Body who was murdered by Yvette in the early part of Clue.
When it comes to their personality, these two are much alike. Both share a dark and ominous persona that is projected in their slicked-back hair as well as the black suits they wear. Tim and Mr. Body both like to appear in positions of power with evidence and dirt on everyone, but they do not have the control (nor sadly the love from anyone else) that can save them from being killed.
Jan - Miss Scarlet
These two crafty, ingenious, and devilishly wicked women are what drive the nail in the coffin both metaphorically and literally in their respective stories. Jan and Miss Scarlet portray themselves as damsels in distress women when they are ultimately the murderer lurking in the back.
Jan and Scarlet both use their physical attractiveness to stay in the loop and use a false persona of aloofness as a deterrent to guide everyone away from solving the murder. In the end, they confess but do it most gloriously with a passion and scariness that encapsulates their personalities.
Teddy Dimas - Colonel Mustard
Teddy Dimas and Colonel Mustard are two powerful, masculine figures that use intimidation tactics over others. Nathan Lane is one of the best guest stars in Only Murders in the Building, starring as Teddy Dimas - a wealthy deli chain owner and black-market jeweler, financer of the podcast as well as an old Broadway project of Oliver's, and blackmailer of Tim Kono. Colonel Mustard takes a similar role in Clue, as a powerful American military man who stole radio parts from the war to make himself wealthy.
Their similarities are numerous. They are two shady individuals who are untrustworthy, crooked, and ultimately weak on the inside when push comes to shove.
Oliver Putnam - Mr. Green
Oliver Putnam and Mr. Green are the most overdramatic yet undeniably hilarious main characters in their pieces. They share the traits of being key protagonists who are outgoing, over the top, and, at times, easily confused.
In an alternate ending of Clue, Green, in a moment of slapstick confusion asks, "Mrs. Peacock was a man?!" and then is immediately slapped by Wadsworth and Colonel Mustard. In Only Murders, Oliver makes reference to his confusion himself. In the episode "Who Is Tim Kono?" he states: "I am so lost here. Can someone please fill me in? Unless it's boring, and then don't." Both characters are light-hearted and serve as comic relief in their respective pieces, making them the perfect counterparts.
Charles-Haden Savage - Professor Plum
When it comes to quirky intelligence, Charles-Haden Savage and Professor Plum have it in abundance in Only Murders in the Building and Clue, and it's just one of the things they have in common. Both use their professions as a way to analyze and engage with people. As a former star actor, Charles, one of the best characters in Only Murders in the Building, uses acting as his way to try to connect because that is what he knows and why people once adored him. Similarly, Plum is a psychiatrist, constantly analyzing and critiquing people.
Neither Charles nor Plum are well-liked as they are considered socially awkward. This can sometimes lead others to take advantage of them, like Jan used Charles. However, when it comes to their craft and using what they know to their use, these two gentlemen are brilliant and are just trying to find friendship by using their brilliance when showing their true personalities is more beneficial.
Mabel Mora - Mrs. White
The dark outside appearance and protective, reserved personality are identical between Mabel Mora and Mrs. White. These two female characters are on guard at all times and do not wish to show weakness to anyone. They do not offer much dialogue in the beginning, but gradually tell their personal stories as time goes on.
Additionally, Mabel and White are keen observers and gather the information before speaking up or acting on impulse. They wish that none of these murders ever happened as it contributes to why they are so insecure, but they are strong individuals that self-motivate themselves to push on.