---
title: "New Girl: the reviews"
canonical: "https://film.one/tv/new-girl/reviews"
title_page: "https://film.one/tv/new-girl"
critics_score: 75
critics_reviews: 7
licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL."
---

# New Girl (2011): what the critics said

Critics' score 75 from 7 reviews: 7 positive, 0 mixed, 0 negative.

The reviews are uniformly positive about New Girl, with praise clustering around Zooey Deschanel’s comic charm and the cast’s chemistry. Most critics see her awkwardness as an asset, even when the premise looks thin or implausible. The early notices also credit the series with energy, warmth and self-aware jokes. The later assessments put more weight on the ensemble: The Ringer identifies the loftmates’ platonic friendships as the series’ lasting strength, ahead of its romantic storylines.

The scores sit within a narrow positive range, but the reviews differ over how much of Deschanel’s quirkiness is welcome. Some find it endearing; others warn that the same mannerisms can become irritating, with excessive peppiness another reservation. IndieWire offers the clearest change of emphasis, describing a grating star vehicle that develops into a stronger group comedy. The disagreement concerns what makes the show work, rather than whether it works at all.

## The Hollywood Reporter — Tim Goodman

Fi1m's normalised score 80/100 (inferred from the text). 20 September 2011. 

The critic praises Zooey Deschanel's charm and the show's potential despite a thin premise, highlighting her as the 'It factor' that makes it worth watching. They single out her endearing social awkwardness and the mix of jokes.

[Read the review](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-reviews/new-girl-tv-review-237367/)

## IndieWire — Adam Nayman

Fi1m's normalised score 75/100 (inferred from the text). 9 May 2012. 

The critic notes that the series has evolved from a grating star vehicle centered on its lead's 'adorkable' persona into a stronger ensemble comedy. It singles out the improved group dynamics and supporting characters for praise.

[Read the review](https://www.indiewire.com/criticism/shows/how-new-girl-went-from-gratingly-adorkable-star-vehicle-to-winning-ensemble-comedy-47552/)

## Vulture

Fi1m's normalised score 75/100 (inferred from the text). 6 September 2011. 

The critic finds the pilot a solid one overall, praising Zooey Deschanel's performance as the show's central appeal. The awkward charm and chemistry with the male roommates stand out as strengths despite the premise's implausibility.

[Read the review](https://www.vulture.com/2011/09/new-girl-recap-pilot.html)

## The Guardian — Sam Wollaston

Fi1m's normalised score 71/100 (inferred from the text). 7 January 2012. 

The critic describes the show as reminiscent of Friends with a touch of Bridget Jones, about a kooky teacher moving in with three guys. Zooey Deschanel's performance saves it from lameness, though her indie-kooky character is seen as either charming or annoying.

[Read the review](https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2012/jan/07/new-girl-safari-vet-school-review)

## Variety — Brian Lowry

Fi1m's normalised score 70/100 (inferred from the text). 16 September 2011. 

The review notes that appreciation depends on tolerance for Deschanel's quirky character, finding her both endearing and potentially irritating, but credits the show with energy, heart, and nifty touches like the douchebag jar.

[Read the review](https://variety.com/2011/tv/reviews/new-girl-1117946122/)

## The Ringer

Fi1m's normalised score 80/100 (inferred from the text). 16 May 2018. 

The series excelled when focusing on the platonic bonds and friendship among the loftmates rather than its rom-com elements. The critic highlights how the show's emphasis on these relationships remained its core strength across seven seasons.

[Read the review](https://www.theringer.com/2018/05/16/tv/new-girl-series-finale-friendship)

## Paste — Ross Bonaime

Rating 7.8. 20 September 2011. 

The pilot introduces Zooey Deschanel's quirky Jess moving in with three guys, delivering funny self-aware writing and strong cast chemistry that makes it a bright spot among new fall shows. The critic notes it may feel overly peppy but praises the humor and ensemble dynamic.

[Read the review](https://www.pastemagazine.com/tv/new-girl-review-pilot-episode-101)

---
© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Our review: https://film.one/tv/new-girl.md