--- title: "Russian Doll: the reviews" canonical: "https://film.one/tv/russian-doll/reviews" title_page: "https://film.one/tv/russian-doll" critics_score: 87 critics_reviews: 11 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." --- # Russian Doll (2019): what the critics said Critics' score 87 from 11 reviews: 11 positive, 0 mixed, 0 negative. The reviews are unanimous. Eleven critics, none mixed, none negative, and the praise lands in the same two places: Natasha Lyonne’s performance as Nadia, and the way the series handles a time-loop premise that most expected to go stale within an episode. Critics agree the loop is a means rather than the point, and that the show uses it to get at grief and trauma without losing its jokes. Lyonne and Headland’s shared sensibility is credited more than once for keeping the tone caustic and warm at the same time. The reservations are small and scattered. Consequence suggests the series rewards patience more than it rewards a casual viewer, and Paste allows that the construction is shaggy in places while still calling it nearly perfect. The Hollywood Reporter stops just short of calling the resolution of the premise a complete success. The spread runs from four stars to five with nobody below, so the disagreement is about degree rather than direction. ## Variety — Caroline Framke Fi1m's normalised score 90/100 (inferred from the text). 21 January 2019. The critic calls the series striking, smart, spiky, funny, devastating and bizarre, following a misanthrope through repeated nights of trauma and revelation. It praises the perfect marriage of Lyonne and Headland’s acerbic sensibilities and the seamless blend of comedy and drama. [Read the review](https://variety.com/2019/tv/reviews/russian-doll-review-lyonne-headland-poehler-netflix-1203112490/) ## Vulture Fi1m's normalised score 90/100 (inferred from the text). 29 January 2019. The critic praises the series as a great, surprising, and affecting show that dodges familiar tropes of its premise while delivering an uncompromising portrait of its flawed female lead. [Read the review](https://www.vulture.com/2019/01/russian-doll-netflix-review.html) ## IndieWire — Ben Travers Fi1m's normalised score 85/100 (inferred from the text). 1 February 2019. The critic calls the series a masterful dark comedy, love story, and puzzle box. Each element is brilliant, with the show delivering surprising emotional and narrative payoffs. [Read the review](https://www.indiewire.com/features/general/russian-doll-review-netflix-ending-spoilers-1202040407/) ## The Guardian Fi1m's normalised score 85/100 (inferred from the text). 1 February 2019. The critic calls the series endlessly impressive and idiosyncratic, praising its fertile time-loop premise and strong ensemble. They single out Natasha Lyonne's magnificent performance as the caustic, furious lead Nadia. [Read the review](https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2019/feb/01/russian-doll-review-natasha-lyonne-groundhog-day-amy-poehler-leslye-headland) ## The Hollywood Reporter — Daniel Fienberg Fi1m's normalised score 80/100 (inferred from the text). 22 January 2019. The review describes a twisty, caustic 'Groundhog Day'-esque journey that is sometimes funny, sometimes terrifying and ultimately satisfying. It singles out Lyonne’s assured performance and the show’s near-total triumph in resolving its high-concept premise. [Read the review](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-reviews/russian-doll-review-1177322/) ## Collider — Haleigh Foutch Rating ★★★★★. 31 January 2019. The review calls it a brilliant, propulsive series balancing sincerity, comedy, and genre elements. It commends the tight construction, Lyonne's layered performance, and the creative team's talents, noting it's binge-worthy and rewatchable. [Read the review](https://collider.com/russian-doll-netflix-review/) ## Paste — Alexis Gunderson Rating 9.5/10. 31 January 2019. Describes it as a nearly perfect, shaggy yet smartly constructed puzzlebox series. Praises the creative team, the lived-in performances, symbolic depth, and emotional truth, urging viewers to watch without spoilers. [Read the review](https://www.pastemagazine.com/tv/russian-doll/netflix-russian-doll-natasha-lyonne-amy-poehler-le) ## The Ringer — Alison Herman Fi1m's normalised score 90/100 (inferred from the text). 4 February 2019. The critic calls it an excellent new kind of mystery-box show that is both a star vehicle for Natasha Lyonne and an existential journey. They single out the textured, well-realized characters whose personal stories provide the answers rather than supernatural elements. [Read the review](https://www.theringer.com/2019/02/04/tv/russian-doll-netflix-natasha-lyonne-amy-poehler) ## Consequence Fi1m's normalised score 80/100 (inferred from the text). 1 February 2019. The review finds emotional resonance in the Groundhog Day premise, noting it mixes humor, philosophy, and twists effectively for patient viewers, becoming a cult favorite with strong character work from Lyonne. [Read the review](https://consequence.net/2019/02/tv-review-russian-doll-netflix/) ## Den of Geek — Alec Bojalad Rating 4/5. 2 February 2019. The critic highlights the show as a long-awaited showcase for Natasha Lyonne, with strong emotional heft and a profound take on trauma alongside its sci-fi elements. [Read the review](https://www.denofgeek.com/tv/russian-doll-review-spoiler-free/) ## NME — Samantha Maine Rating 4/5. 2 February 2019. The critic praises the series as a clever take on the time-loop premise that explores grief and existential questions with wit and heart. Lyonne's performance as the ruthless yet charismatic Nadia is highlighted as her best work. [Read the review](https://www.nme.com/reviews/russian-doll-netflix-review-2441934) --- © 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/russian-doll.md