User reviews

Season 1 was fresh and worth every minute of full attention, solid 9/10, might even up that to a 10 after a re-watch some time later. But Season 2... is like it's not even the same show. There's barely any hint of a story and most of what happens is uninteresting. I'm only halfway in and I struggle to find a reason to keep moving and to watch another episode.

I wanted to average out the ratings for the two seasons like I usually do, but you know what, people might skip the very good Season 1 if they see that kind of rating, so I'll do what I saw someone else on here do and just rate the good part to draw attention to it.

Wow. What a ride. This series compelled me to reactivate my account to write a review.

First of all - please do not expect laugh out loud comedy. This is a very dark and sometimes very unpleasant series. Yet, it is sometimes hilarious in its own way.

The story of Russian Doll is based on a now often used device, granted. But it is by no means formulaic. In fact, there are so many twists and turns in the development section of the 8 episodes, you will be glued to the screen.

Some people didn't like the main character, calling her nasty and unpleasant. But this is the point of the series! She is a deeply troubled person. But trust me, she will become likeable soon enough - and stay tuned for the arrival of another main character (played by Charlie Barnett), who totally makes up for everything cringeworthy the potty-mouthed character played by Natasha Lyonne did until this point.

In the end, I promise you, you will have watched a cathartic experience that will leave you very happy.

On the technical level, Russian Doll is unusually well shot. The lighting reminds me of classic Mario Bava movies (I think this is intentional), and the music is very well sought.

So, go watch this, and please watch beyond episode 3, you will thank me later.

If only all takes on old plot devices were this awesome! Netflix, you need to give us more like this, not that narcissistic crap that so often pops up lately (Girl Boss, Insatiable with TRULY unlikeable characters).

It's brilliant!

An extremely weird but captivating story, great acting, excellent script, natural dialogue, very good production values and a fantastic range of characters.

I did not know whether to laugh or cry. The funniest saddest weird thing ever. Kafkaesque and slapstick at the same time.

Do not ruin it with a second series.

Boy I hated this show so much at the beginning! It was awful, not funny, pretensious, pseudo intelectual! For the first 3 episodes boy I was almost giving up... And then it wasn't! Those first episodes are there for a reason and it pays off. Must watch TV. You will not regret giving it a chance past the first few episodes.

I just finished binging Russian Dolls, and it was awesome. While it's loaded with dark humor, this show is not a a comedy, but so much more. Its smorgasbord of topics, including loneliness, guilt, depression, fear, forgiveness, and moving forward.

I don't usually write reviews but I ended up staying up all night/morning watching this. I don't have much to say as I don't want to spoil anything. But the acting is great, the humour is great and the mystery is really interesting and will keep you interested from episode to episode. Highly recommend.

S1 seemed so perfect and contained that news of an S2 routinely perplexed people. I think people were right; there was nowhere really to go. Lots of back story filled out here - with the primary magic now being time travel, it's basically all about back story - but, somehow, it feels like we didn't need it terribly much. There are, I guess, good and dutiful points being made about understanding what previous generations went through and how that shaped us, especially our spiky bits, but in practice I just don't feel it all with the intensity and enjoyment that I did S1.

After two episodes I was hooked. I did get a bit scared at a point, but I'm a wuss. Really enjoyable all throughout. Doesn't really have anything to do with Groundhog day, apart from the timeloop thing. Reviewers who claim so haven't watched more than 1 episode and shouldn't be taken seriously.

Loved season 1, excellent storyline. 10/10

Didn't like season 2, terrible, confusing and boring storyline. 2/10.

Don't think I'll bother with season 3 if there is one. One of the many TV series that should just leave the sequels alone.

In semi-typical fashion it started a little slow in interest for me but I watched the first episode and said,"Ok, one more..." And then of course you get the obligatory, "Well, I HAVE to see what happens next.." which is followed by, "Well, who the hell is THIS character?" And then of course the reaction of, " Oh Hell Naw!" Which proceeds the ever popular, "ARE YOU KIDDING ME?!?" But then you get the "Oh I got this" episode. Only to be smacked by the " Whoa.... didn't see THAT coming" show. Which all is summed up with "More please.."

bravo 👏🏾Netflix, Natasha Lyonne, Amy Poehler & Russian Doll 👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾

#BookOfJimmy

Can't blame the pandemic on this one 2019 one of Netflix's finest freshest shows of the year, I've watched season 1 multiple times long awaiting the much delayed season 2. The closing scene of season 1 was so tantalising as it really did leave you thinking 🤔 well where does that leave us?

I will tell you . Nowhere! No continuity, no real explanation as to what's been going on. A subplot thrown in so you feel important if you can follow it. No dark comedy. We waited 3 yrs for this.

My advice is Russian doll is a great stand alone 1 season, I'd give it a 9 but the 2nd season can't be ignored that's why I've ranked it so low.

Please put it to sleep.

As most reviewers, I found series 1 watchable and entertaining enough, despite main character Nadia being a rather annoying character. Still, the re-birth after each gruesome death had an element of black humor and suspense, and the Alan character moved the plot forward, towards an end that was simplistic to the point of stupidity, but wrapped up the series nicely.

Obviously it would be quite difficult for everyone to understand that at some stage the purpose of life could be saving a perfect stranger who appeared for a few seconds in the background, but whatever... as Nadia would say.

However, series 2 is a different animal altogether. Gone is the humour, the consistency and the indispensable presence of Alan. What happens is a sequence of random time trips back to the 80s and 1944, during which we further discover what an eminently dislikable character Nadia's mother is, glued with a useless side plot of Alan in East Berlin in the 60s. Each and every episode suffers from considerable randomness and Nadia trying too hard to be funny cracking silly jokes and chain smoking. Is the show sponsored by tobacco companies?

Natasha Lyonne is a genius. This show is incredible and a must see. The talent from Lyonne and the rest of the cast in first class and I strongly believe this will be one of, if not the best show to air on Netflix this year!

There is a lot I could have not liked about Russian Doll. I could have taken against it for being overhyped for what it is. I certainly could have been put off by the very confident and brash Nu Yark characters and their very polished lives and homes. Probably the Groundhog Day gimmick would have struck me as uninspired too. All of these things were still there, and a few more, but yet it mostly worked for me, and charmed me into it. Pace and tone are a big part of this as the episodes are just the right length, have good timing throughout, and tend to have the right energy level so you don't feel rushed but yet it has a speed to it that works well.

It does have its heart in the right place too; for all its modern trimmings and cynicism, it is ultimately about connections and people. I don't think it pulls it altogether and makes a great whole in the way that others seem to have felt it did, but it engaged me into the two main characters and made me care for them and like them. The conclusion doesn't matter so much as the journey, and for the characters this is an engaging one. The performances help sell it convincingly, and like everyone says - Lyonne is great throughout. Production-wise, the show looks and sounds great, which helps the energy levels and slickness - it doesn't make the show, but it lubricates it and keeps it moving in the superficial areas, helping the core elements which are more important but harder to do.

It's a lot more "acquired taste" than the critical response would suggest, but even when I could see the weaknesses and shortcomings, I still found it very easy to enjoy.

Not only is it the best new show to binge, it is specifically designed to binge. Russian Doll possess the dark grey tone of 'A Hand Maids Tail,' the existential humor of 'The Good Place,' and the twistedness of 'Black Mirror.' Russian doll, with an all female writing, and directing team evolves beyond the hint of gender non conformity, to a level of gender non compliance, or maybe even non existence. Russian doll is a true, deep, dark, intelligent masterpiece. Russian dolls transcends time, morality, gender and genres. The secret to its brilliance is within the mood, because although you are witnessing the darkest moments of these characters many timelines, the story maintains a somber innate sense of humor. It is truly the most engaging and entertaining show on Netflix.

Just watched all 8 episodes it is highly recommended binge worthy TV. Should have gave it 10/10 really. Great Story, AmaZing Acting, well written Loved it from start to finish. All the characters bring so many different layers to such an amazing story

Season 2 ruined this creative , sharp, funny , cynical and very dark series for me , it was rushed and dull , ipso facto won't watch season 3 if there ever is one.

The concept isn't new as we have seen it already in many other places but the way it is presented in this show is incredible. I've finished watching it today and I must say ,Go and watch it because it's worth it. The story , the acting are both great ! I laughed a lot and had a lot of good time so this show is a must watch.

I just finished season 2 and it was quite disappointing. At least season 1 picks up halfway through, season 2 just seems to be going nowhere. Quite boring but I kept watching hoping it would get better. Nadia seemed very annoying this time, you don't want to root for her at all. Was barely interested in Alan's story. Giving it 6 stars because of season 1.

This show probably should've just been a limited series. Season 1 was terrific. The perfect amount of humor and mystery. Great writing and great acting.

The quality falls off a cliff with season 2. I appreciate that the writers didn't want to recycle the same idea, I really do. The result is weak and convoluted. This just proves the point more that it should've been a one and done. The acting is over the top and obnoxious. Alan's story is the only redeemable aspect of this season.

I thought season 1 was great, definitely had me looking forward to another season, but season 2 was basically a train wreck imo, it was just all over the place and definitely not in a good way. I know some people will disagree and can't handle people having their own opinions, but it was just too many things going on and focus was just not there, and the season finale just didn't bring this mess together. I wish I could rate it higher but season 2 is just forgettable at best.

This series surprised me.

The first episode is overall not bad and gives the impression that the rest of the series will be a bit of a whacky fun comedy.

And that's kind of true, but with each episode the story takes a more serious turn and pulls you into the character back stories more and more... and it does it really well!

It turned out to be a really enjoyable emotional journey with some good (albeit dark) laughs along the way.