Netflix’s The Residence takes viewers into the heart of the White House for a thrilling mystery reminiscent of Knives Out and Only Murders in the Building. Detective Cordelia Cupp, played by Uzo Aduba, meticulously pieces together the complex puzzle over eight episodes.
In a dramatic feature-length finale, she finally exposes the culprit behind the murder that has kept audiences guessing. The conclusion follows a classic Agatha Christie-style reveal, where all key suspects, from White House staff to the President’s closest aides, are gathered as Cordelia untangles their conflicting stories.
Lilly’s Hatred for Tradition Drives Her to Murder in the White House.
The climactic episode unveils that Lilly Schumacher, the White House social secretary, is the murderer of AB Wynter. The grand reveal occurs in the White House’s Yellow Room, where Cordelia methodically deconstructs the misleading narratives of the suspects. Initially attempting to shift blame onto innocent parties, Lilly is ultimately unmasked as the true culprit.
Her deep-seated resentment towards the White House itself—both as a physical structure and an institution—served as her primary motive. She despised its traditions, history, and significance, viewing it as an outdated relic that needed drastic change.
The Residence (Photo: Netflix)Lilly’s disdain for AB Wynter stemmed from his dedication to preserving the White House’s legacy, standing in direct opposition to her vision. Further complicating matters, AB had gathered incriminating evidence of her misdeeds, including financial fraud and unethical dealings. Faced with the threat of exposure, Lilly devised a sinister plan.
She lured AB under the pretense of reconciliation, poisoning his drink. When he realized the attempt and stopped drinking, she was forced to act swiftly, killing him with an antique clock. To cover her tracks, she staged the crime scene to resemble a suicide and even impersonated the First Husband in an attempt to conceal the murder weapon.
Lilly’s Scheme Unravels as Cordelia Cupp Solves the White House Mystery.
Despite her careful planning, Lilly’s scheme took an unexpected turn when AB’s body was moved. Tripp, the President’s brother, in a drunken and disoriented state, unknowingly relocated the corpse, leading to additional confusion in the investigation. His delayed confession nearly derailed Cordelia’s case, but ultimately, she pieced together the timeline, exposing Lilly’s deception. Her manipulations were finally laid bare, ensuring that justice would be served for AB Wynter’s untimely demise.
With the case solved Cordelia concludes her work by briefing the President’s mother-in-law, who also resides in the White House. Satisfied with her accomplishment, she returns to her personal passion—birdwatching. However, given her impressive detective skills and newfound favor with both the President and Congress, it is highly likely that she will be called upon for future high-profile cases.
Whether Netflix greenlights The Residence for a second season remains to be seen, but if it does, audiences can look forward to another gripping mystery led by the ever-brilliant Cordelia Cupp.
