If you’re someone who still chuckles every time Tim Curry dashes down a hallway in Clue, or if your bookshelf groans under the weight of every Agatha Christie mystery, then The Residence on Netflix is about to become your next obsession.

Set against the impossibly intriguing backdrop of the White House residence staff, The Residence isn’t your typical political drama. Instead, it’s a gleefully quirky murder mystery that leans hard into its eccentric characters, tight plotting, and sharp dialogue. The show is packed with humor, twists, and that irresistible locked-room mystery feel, all while playing in one of the most recognizable houses in the world.

Created by Paul William Davies (Scandal), with Shondaland’s Shonda Rhimes and Betsy Beers backing the production, and based on the non fiction book, The Residence: Inside the Private World of the White House by Kate Andersen Brower, the show balances its tonal tightrope act with impressive ease. There’s political tension, sure, but it’s the human drama — and delightful absurdity — that makes it shine.

Uzo Aduba leads the charge as eccentric investigator Cordelia Cupp, a role that lets her swing from serious to satirical without missing a beat. The ensemble cast includes heavy-hitters like Giancarlo Esposito, Jason Lee, Al Franken, Susan Kelechi Watson, Randall Park, and Ken Marino — each playing gloriously offbeat characters with enough secrets and quirks to fuel a dozen red herrings.

But let’s be clear — if your TV tastes lean toward gravel-voiced tough guys and roundhouse kicks (Reacher, we’re looking at you), The Residence probably won’t be your thing. This isn’t action-packed or brooding. It’s a character-driven, puzzle-box of a series that delights in playing with genre conventions and turning every expectation upside down.

The humor is where The Residence truly sets itself apart. It’s sly, clever, and always one step ahead. Think Knives Out with a little less glitz and a lot more weird.

For originality, it’s an easy five out of five. You’ve never seen the White House like this before — and odds are, you’ll be itching for season two before the credits roll on the final episode.

Verdict: 5/5 – A must-watch for mystery lovers who like their murders with a side of mischief.

Think Knives Out meets Clue in the White House — clever, quirky, and completely original. Mystery lovers, this one’s for you.