The Residence is a treat for fans of whodunnit mysteries, primarily because it plays homage to the genre more than anything. Each episode is titled after a well-known mystery, like “Dial M for Murder” and “Knives Out,” which speaks to its self-awareness. But the show is more than just a Sherlock knock-off. It boasts a colorful cast of characters, many of whom are given enough backstory and depth for us to empathize with. Most striking of all is Detective Cupp herself, who is eccentric, confident, and very easy to like. She whizzes through The White House’s hundreds of rooms equipped with quirky one-liners and a jazzy score, so it never feels like she overstays her welcome. As far as murder mysteries go, The Residence may not present the trickiest puzzle nor the most cerebral dialogue, but it’s smart, funny, and likable. By the end of the finale, you’ll wish to see more of the cast.
"With its cozy and frenetic crime-solving duo of Aduba and Park, “The Residence” is a comedy of manners and murder that nails scintillating satire to the White House walls, compelling us to step inside."
— Sherin Nicole
"Though the tone of “The Residence” isn’t as smooth and satisfying as the Rian Johnson films, there is still much to delight in here."
— Aramide Tinubu
A brilliant, eccentric detective must solve a murder in the White House residence — where the staff and guests at a state dinner are all suspects.
When the Chief Usher (Giancarlo Esposito) is killed in The White House, consulting detective Cordelia Cupp (Uzo Aduba) is called in to solve the case before daybreak.
The dollhouse presentation of The White House is dazzling.
Yes, it’s Knives Out in series form, but that can only be good news for locked-room mystery fans.
Got me interested until the end and I couldn’t solve it. Very fun to watch.