--- title: "Poker Face: the reviews" canonical: "https://film.one/tv/poker-face/reviews" title_page: "https://film.one/tv/poker-face" critics_score: 81 critics_reviews: 6 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." --- # Poker Face (2023): what the critics said Critics' score 81 from 6 reviews: 6 positive, 0 mixed, 0 negative. The consensus is warmly positive: Poker Face makes the self-contained television mystery feel inviting again. Praise centres on Natasha Lyonne, whose rasping delivery, dishevelled charm and canny performance give the lie-detecting lead character more appeal than the premise alone might promise. Critics repeatedly welcome the Columbo-style structure, with the pleasure lying in how the culprit is caught. The stylish presentation, guest performances and carefully constructed cases also draw approval, alongside a warmth that keeps the nostalgia from feeling dutiful. The differences are chiefly matters of enthusiasm rather than fundamental disagreement. Reservations cluster around the rhythm of individual episodes: Vulture finds that some drag or lack buoyancy, while The Hollywood Reporter notes uneven pacing and stretches that underuse Lyonne. Neither treats those faults as fatal. Across the reviews, the episodic formula is largely a strength; the question is how consistently each instalment delivers its pleasures. ## The Times — Hugo Rifkind Fi1m's normalised score 85/100 (inferred from the text). 12 May 2023. The critic loves the human lie detector premise and calls the show brilliantly done, sleek and smart with very funny moments thanks to Lyonne's boho dishevelment. They single out the way the structure makes the audience complicit with the detective and her wayward charisma. [Read the review](https://www.thetimes.com/culture/tv-radio/article/poker-face-television-review-hugo-rifkind-vkfqsnwfr) ## The Guardian Fi1m's normalised score 80/100 (inferred from the text). 26 January 2023. The critic praises the series as delivering fun with a refreshing twist on the mystery-of-the-week structure and highlights Natasha Lyonne’s charismatic performance as the lead detective. They single out the assured, stylish television and the magnetic Columbo update in Lyonne’s character. [Read the review](https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2023/jan/26/poker-face-tv-review-peacock-natasha-lyonne) ## The Telegraph Rating 4/5. 26 May 2023. The critic finds it a larkishly enjoyable feat of cultural mixology that executes the killer-of-the-week formula to near-perfection. They single out Natasha Lyonne’s rasping, charismatic performance as the hard-drinking lie-detecting waitress. [Read the review](https://www.telegraph.co.uk/tv/2023/05/26/poker-face-sky-max-review-natasha-lyonne-rian-johnson/) ## Vulture Fi1m's normalised score 70/100 (inferred from the text). 25 January 2023. The critic finds the show a sturdy, reliable episodic mystery in the Columbo style, praising its self-contained episodes, Natasha Lyonne's performance, and warm worldview, while noting some episodes drag or lack buoyancy. [Read the review](https://www.vulture.com/article/poker-face-review-natasha-lyonne-rian-johnson-peacock-series.html) ## The Hollywood Reporter — Daniel Fienberg 25 January 2023. The critic calls it a fun romp and a TV mystery fan’s delight with nostalgic charm, tight mysteries, and strong guest stars. Some episodes have off pacing and underuse Lyonne, though the standalone howcatchems are carefully constructed and efficient. [Read the review](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-reviews/poker-face-review-natasha-lyonne-rian-johnson-peacock-1235309159/) ## Variety — Daniel D'Addario 25 January 2023. The critic finds the series a clever, winning mystery throwback that succeeds as vintage episodic TV. Lyonne's calibrated, garrulous performance as the lie-detecting drifter is singled out for praise as she navigates standalone cases with canniness and self-preservation. [Read the review](https://variety.com/2023/tv/reviews/poker-face-review-1235493644/) ## Collider — Maggie Lovitt Rating A. 25 January 2023. The critic praises the series as a modern homage to Columbo, highlighting its inverted howcatchem structure and Natasha Lyonne's compelling performance as the street-smart lead character. Johnson’s guiding vision and the strong ensemble of guest stars and directors are singled out for making it a refreshing return to episodic storytelling. [Read the review](https://collider.com/poker-face-series-review/) ## Digital Spy — Chris Longridge Fi1m's normalised score 80/100 (inferred from the text). 26 May 2023. Praises Rian Johnson for creating a fun, charming Columbo-like episodic series with self-contained stories, highlighting Lyonne and guest stars, and the risk-taking in episodic TV. [Read the review](https://www.digitalspy.com/tv/ustv/a44015853/poker-face-review/) --- © 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/poker-face.md