You can’t deny these 7 Mabel Mora moments from Only Murders in the Building made you a Selena Gomez fan

Selena Gomez as Mabel | Image Via: 20th Television
Selena Gomez as Mabel | Image Via: 20th Television

From the very beginning, people wondered if Only Murders in the Building, with such a highly specific concept, could continue to captivate audiences over the long run. However, throughout four seasons, these doubts have been overshadowed by anticipation, thanks to its stellar cast and their flawless performances.

At first glance, it looks like Only Murders in the Building seems to embody the clichés and weaknesses of present-day television comedy. Instead of diving into the risky territory of pure comedy, the streaming age tends to play it safe, emphasizing intricate storylines, earnest sentiment, and big-name casting to create hype, but no one can deny that humour has always been there.

This show is undeniably glitzy, and millennial Mabel Mora comes across as unusually inert in Gomez’s hands, yet it results in one of the most curiously fascinating turns on TV. Selena Gomez is undeniably a trend setter, as Mabel, she regularly upstaged scenes with her bold looks and acting skills. She constantly draws attention with her aura, sometimes to the point where fans miss vital murder mystery hints.

Here are 7 Mabel Mora moments from Only Murders in the Building that will make you a Selena Gomez fan, even though there is a high chance that you already are.

Disclaimer: This article contains the writer's opinion. Readers’ discretion is advised.


7 Mabel Mora moments from Only Murders in the Building

Selena Gomez as Mabel | Image Via: 20th Television
Selena Gomez as Mabel | Image Via: 20th Television

Mabel’s introduction in the pilot

From the pilot episode of Only Murders in the Building, Selena Gomez as mysterious millennial Mabel Mora sets the mood for sure. Well, we all already know Gomez as a style icon, and when she steps into Mora’s role, it comes out effortlessly chic and subtly captivating. While making her way through the streets of New York, there is a sleek energy in her, somewhat reserved, mysterious; you will feel like she is hinting at something that she knows far more than she reveals.

There is a touch of deadpan wit in Mabel’s voice-over, where she admits that she doesn’t trust her neighbours, a statement that you will also agree is even making sense when you have Charles and Oliver like people around you. She may be pretending to be annoyed when anyone around her is creating chaos, but secretly, she is finding it quite interesting. In that classic yellow jacket, paired with a half smile, and with a voiceover in the background, everything together makes her presence undeniable.


Revealing her friendship with Tim

Selena Gomez as Mabel | Image Via: 20th Television
Selena Gomez as Mabel | Image Via: 20th Television

Well, she has come across as aloof, clever, and closed off, until the moment she spills the beans to Oliver and Charles about her friendship with Tim Kono, Oscar, and Zoe. Her confession ties it all together: Why is she so much invested in the investigation of Tim Kono’s murder? Because she wants to know the truth, what exactly happened on that day with Tim. The personal stakes take the investigation much deeper, showing that her motivation is more than curiosity; it comes from within. Selena Gomez’s performance really excels in this moment, letting Mabel’s heart speak through a mix of tender openness and careful restraint.

With each subtle glance, hesitation, and measured phrase, Mabel reveals that there is a fierce guardianship hidden behind her sarcasm. The confrontation with Oliver and Charles enhances the scene’s emotional gravity, blending vulnerability with a playful, humorous energy. By telling them the truth about her past, she honestly deepens the trio’s equation and simultaneously highlights how this investigation has an effect on her.


Police interrogation for Bunny’s murder

Selena Gomez as Mabel | Image Via: 20th Television
Selena Gomez as Mabel | Image Via: 20th Television

With a stone face, Mabel delivers biting comebacks to the police when she is being questioned because of the murder of Bunny. This scene in Only Murders in the Building perfectly displays Selena Gomez’s talent. Mabel is being accused of Bunny’s death, and she confronts Detective Williams quite rebelliously, yet there is a pause in her, leaving the officers questioning if they are conducting the investigation properly. Gomez nails the scene. You may find her a bit unsettled, but she is resilient. She keeps on replying to the cops with intelligent and pointed remarks, which somehow heightens the drama of the interrogation.

The interplay of anxiety and strength in her portrayal of this scene keeps the audience glued to the screen and rooting for her every move. Through this scene, Only Murders in the Building intertwines thrilling intrigue with nuanced character work. You will see her handling the interrogation while staying composed and true to her character, which underscores the brilliance of Selena Gomez’s performance.


Advising Lucy to tell Charles the truth

Mabel & Lucie | Image Via: 20th Television
Mabel & Lucie | Image Via: 20th Television

Older sister's kind of sight is quite unusual for Mysterious Millennial Mabel Mora in Only Murders in the Building; rather than waving off a younger girl’s concern, she chooses to respond with thoughtful maturity, encouraging her to admit the truth to Charles. This moment in the show becomes more relatable when Mabel relates it to her own story of life, losing her father at a very young age, and profoundly she longs for him. There is a subtle warmth in Gomez’s portrayal. She delivers the moment with genuine conviction, layered with her familiar caution, making each line resonate more strongly.

There is a hard-earned truth in her voice as she guides Lucy while addressing her own younger self. Selena Gomez weaves in just enough gentleness to offset Mabel’s composed façade, crafting someone who feels authentic and quietly encouraging. You can’t deny that Gomez has contributed a subtle yet emotional weight to Mabel’s character, and the fans of Only Murders in the Building have always praised her for that.


Making theories about Ben’s handkerchief

Selena Gomez as Mabel | Image Via: 20th Television
Selena Gomez as Mabel | Image Via: 20th Television

There has always been a knack for connecting minute details about the clues, anticipating motives, and scrutinizing every assumption in Mabel while investigating a crime. You will always enjoy watching her intellect in Only Murders in the Building, and honestly, Gomez infuses just the right hint of caution, which makes Mabel’s character feel authentic, capable, and absorbing. Yes, Mabel's reasoning moves literally quite fast, but it remains exact; she is always assessing all scenarios and evaluating every idea with the clues she uncovers.

What demonstrates her sharp mind and unyielding determination is her attention to the handkerchief; she converts a simple object into a pivotal clue. This moment of Mabel in Only Murders in the Building shows why the fans of the show love Mabel so much. There is a keen sense of observation in her, and it comes to the forefront as she begins connecting the dots. As soon as she approaches the crime scene, her inquisitiveness captivates. You will notice how each glance and gesture showcases her keen eye for minutiae. One question is constantly bothering her, since the time she spotted that handkerchief on Ben’s frozen hand: Whose handkerchief is it?


Uncovers Ben’s watch clue

Selena Gomez as Mabel | Image Via: 20th Television
Selena Gomez as Mabel | Image Via: 20th Television

As we already know that Mabel’s attention to detail has always made their investigation interesting in Only Murders in the Building. And this time, she also shows her capability, as she finds out a major clue from the photograph of Ben’s dead body. In that photo there is a watch in Ben’s hand, which shows the time was 12:06, and she already knows that Ben used to keep his watch always twenty minutes early, that means when he died the time was 12:26. Hence it is proved, at that time Gregg wasn’t even there in the building, then definitely he is not the person who has pushed Ben in the elevator well.

This is a major clue that changed the investigation's perspective in Only Murders in the Building. The way she uncovers such crucial details underscores her sharp intellect and cements her role as vital to the investigation. Her perceptiveness pushes the story ahead, allowing the viewers to admire her acute reasoning and courageous approach to uncover the truth.


Faces Sazz’s protégé with a gun

Selena Gomez as Mabel | Image Via: 20th Television
Selena Gomez as Mabel | Image Via: 20th Television

One of the tensest Only Murders in the Building moments comes when Mabel Mora discovers Sazz’s protégé, a stuntman, and finds herself face-to-face with him, holding a gun. But she remains steely and composed, showing a side of her courage that perfectly balances the suspense. Instead of panicking, she negotiates with calm and sharp wit, carefully choosing her words to distract him while keeping herself safe. Selena Gomez’s performance here is quietly commanding.

Every gesture, glance, and tone conveys control and intelligence, letting the audience feel both the danger of the moment and Mabel’s unshakable bravery. Her ability to remain collected under pressure. The exchange with the stuntman highlights the show's knack for blending tension, humor, and character development. While the gun adds immediate stakes, Mabel’s calm negotiation makes the scene feel thrilling rather than chaotic.

Gomez’s portrayal gives her a magnetic presence, showing that she can hold her own even in life-or-death situations. Fans of Only Murders in the Building love this moment because it perfectly captures Mabel’s growth and resilience. It is a standout scene that showcases her bravery, intelligence, and Selena Gomez’s commanding performance, one more reason why Mabel is such a fan favorite character in the series.

Edited by Amey Mirashi