Critics’ reviews

One Day (2024)

11 reviews from 11 publications. Critics’ score 73: 7 positive, 3 mixed, 1 negative.

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73
Positive
7
Mixed
3
Negative
1

Most critics like it. Seven of the eleven reviews are positive, and the praise clusters almost entirely on the two leads. Ambika Mod and Leo Woodall are named in nearly every review, and their chemistry is the thing most often credited with keeping the romance going across a long run. Mod draws particular attention for a funny, expressive Emma. Several critics also find this adaptation more moving than the earlier film, and the period detail and soundtrack get a nod.

Reservations cluster on pace and length. Several reviews say the series starts slowly, that early episodes could be shorter, and that the ones centred on Dexter are the weaker ones. A few feel the couple’s banter takes time to convince. The Guardian and Variety both note that the series says little about Emma’s heritage. The spread is fairly wide, from near-raves to one outright dismissal: Radio Times tells readers to read the book instead.

Empire
9 February 2024 · Beth Webb
90*

The review is strongly positive, calling the series an outstanding showcase of talent despite its occasionally languorous pace. It particularly praises Ambika Mod and Leo Woodall, whose performances and chemistry make the couple’s story compelling.

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The Guardian
6 February 2024 · Chitra Ramaswamy
90*

Ramaswamy finds the series an irresistible, heartfelt romantic comedy, despite some initial reservations about its treatment of race. She praises the extraordinary leads and the evocative period details and soundtrack.

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The AV Club
6 February 2024 · B+ · Mary Kate Carr
83

The critic calls the series a satisfying, swoon-worthy rom-com, though it falters near the end. The leads’ chemistry and Ambika Mod’s expressive, funny performance are singled out for praise.

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Evening Standard
6 February 2024 · ★★★★ · Alexandra Jones
80

Jones finds the series a gorgeous, clever rom-com and a perfect sunny watch despite its flaws. She praises the performances and the adaptation’s emotional weight, but says the leads’ chemistry and banter do not always convince.

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The i Paper
6 February 2024 · Emily Baker
80*

The critic finds the series irresistibly charming and says its romance left her emotionally overwhelmed. She especially praises Ambika Mod’s performance, while noting uneven pacing and weaker episodes focused on Dexter.

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IndieWire
8 February 2024 · B · Proma Khosla
77

The critic finds this adaptation more powerful than the film, though it starts slowly and some early episodes could be shorter. She praises Ambika Mod and Leo Woodall’s chemistry and the series’ nuanced portrayal of their evolving relationship.

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Variety
6 February 2024 · Aramide Tinubu
75*

Tinubu finds the series charming, thoughtful and ultimately moving, despite a notable omission in its treatment of Emma’s heritage. She particularly praises the chemistry between Ambika Mod and Leo Woodall.

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The Hollywood Reporter
6 February 2024 · Angie Han
60*

Han finds the series appealing overall, though it is stretched too thin and its ending feels like a missed opportunity. She praises the chemistry between Ambika Mod and Leo Woodall, which keeps the romance engaging across its long run.

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Radio Times
6 February 2024 · Abby Robinson
30*

The headline signals a negative verdict, suggesting viewers should read the book instead. It singles out the source novel as preferable to this adaptation.

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Digital Spy
6 February 2024 · Rebecca Cook
68*

Cook finds the series a compelling, comfortable adaptation, though its central romance takes time to feel convincing. She praises the longer format for giving Emma and supporting characters greater depth, while noting the leads initially lack chemistry.

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Collider
6 February 2024 · 6/10 · Arezou Amin
60

The critic finds the series beautifully told but uneven, with Dexter’s story receiving too much focus and Emma lacking agency. They praise the nuanced performances by Ambika Mod and Leo Woodall, as well as the series’ considered pacing.

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Ordered by the weight we give each publication, then by score. Scores are normalised to 100; * means inferred from an unrated review. Summaries are ours, not quotations; follow the links for the reviews themselves. How we rate