7 Years Later, This 97% Fresh Netflix Gem Is Still the Best Sci-Fi Drama About Time Loops
This is all thanks to Natasha Lyonne's boundless charisma, which she brought to the project along with a piece of her own life.
In 2019, Netflix released Russian Doll, a series that could have been another Groundhog Day, except the main character was a redheaded game designer.
However, Russian Doll turned out to be much more than that – the creators didn't just rehash the old concept, they added a second protagonist who experiences the same misadventures and consequences of constant death.
Seven years later, Russian Doll remains the best sci-fi dramedy about time loops – it's smart, funny, and unexpectedly touching.
What Is 'Russian Doll' About?
Redheaded game designer Nadia is going to a party in her honor. After smoking a strange joint, she has sex with a literature professor and then embarks on a nighttime odyssey to find her missing cat.
Death catches up with her in the form of a bright yellow taxi. The woman immediately opens her eyes in front of a mirror in the restroom at the same party, stunned and trying to understand what's happening.
Then she dies again, opens her eyes, and the cycle repeats. Thus begins her endless birthday, full of deaths, resurrections, and attempts to break the vicious cycle.
'Russian Doll' Offers a Fresh and Intriguing Take On an Old Concept
In the more than 30 years since the release of Groundhog Day, a similar narrative has been used by everyone from the creators of Doctor Who to those behind Source Code and Happy Death Day. If the creators hadn't attempted to redefine the concept, it would have been the death of the show.
However, they managed to overcome this challenge by introducing a second character and exploring the consequences of constant death.
However, without Natasha Lyonne, the series could have turned into a colorful manual of A Thousand and One Ways to Die in Melancholy New York.
Her charisma breathes life into scenes with repetitive dialogue. The series also reaches a new level thanks to the actress's background: she survived heroin addiction and only revived her career shortly before Russian Doll.
What Did Critics & Viewers Think of 'Russian Doll'?
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Russian Doll has 97% from critics and 76% from viewers on Rotten Tomatoes.
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On IMDb, the series has a score of 7.7/10.
Where to Watch 'Russian Doll'?
Russian Doll is available to stream on Netflix.
