(Credits: Netflix)

An uncanny murder, a killer on the loose, and an unorthodox detective make Netflix’s The Residence a cacophony of chaos and crime. And if you’re on the lookout for a perfect weekend watch, look no further because this show has everything you need for your day off. It’s a perfect storm of mystery and murder while crucially defamiliarising the archetypes of a whodunit with just the right amount of slapstick humour.

For those uninitiated, The Residence is Paul William Davies’ series adaptation of a mystery comedy, released March 20th, 2025. Based on Kate Andersen Brower’s The Residence: Inside the Private World of the White House, the show revolves around the fictional murder of the chief usher, AB Wynter, within the premises of the White House during a state dinner for the Australian prime minister. Although at the core is an enigmatic murder case, it’s the eccentric process of investigation that steals the show.

The star of the series is the maverick sleuth, Cordelia Cupp, portrayed by the Emmy-winner Uzo Aduba. Fans will recognise her from the Netflix original series Orange Is the New Black. But it’s not just her. Each and every character of The Residence adds to the witty intrigue of the series, for the show is not made of just one or two but a staggering total of 157 suspects. It is a perfect and unique mix of light-hearted fun and cutthroat suspense, where you might think you know the killer, until the dart strikes the real culprit.

The Residence is a fresh take on the time-worn mosaic of a killer mystery. It’s full of sly twists and turns that leave viewers on a cliffhanger. But what exactly makes it a perfect weekend watch is the meticulous episode structure. This Netflix series comprises eight episodes, making it the ideal choice for a binge-worthy weekend marathon. Although the episode length is not exactly short, as they run for approximately 50–60 minutes, they make an easy fit for the weekend schedule.

While viewers might be concerned with heavy commitment, once you hit the play button, it won’t seem so. Moreover, Davies implies thematic resonance to every episode title, offering a hint about the plot and characters it might address. The first episode, which sets the crux of the story with AB Wynter’s murder, is titled ‘The Fall of the House of Usher’, a nod to Edgar Allan Poe’s famous short story.

But since the episode is all about the White House’s chief usher’s murder, Davies kills two birds with one stone. The titles also often hint at revelations and plot twists awaiting that particular episode, like ‘The Third Man’, which turns the investigation nearly upside down. Moreover, The Residence is not slow-paced. Of course, the murder revelation at the inception might feel like they have pulled off the curtain from every cryptic clue, but Cordelia Cupp proves you wrong at every turn.

This thriller comedy is not at all predictable, and that’s why it wins. And while it’s happening and entertaining, don’t overlook the details just because it’s a fun watch. A lot happens in the blink-and-you-miss-it moments. So, in case you drop your guard during a spot of unfolding of the narrative, you might have to stage a return to make sense of it. Hence, it’s best not to rush with The Residence because the devil lies in the details, making it the perfect weekend binge.