https://twitter.com/GraceSpelman/status/1095378802971197441
All February long, you’ve probably been hearing good things about Netflix’s Russian Doll starring Natasha Lyonne, who also co-wrote, co-executive produced, and co-created (with Leslye Headland and Amy Poehler) the existential and unpredictable comedy filled with hidden gems. Lyonne plays Nadia, a New Yorker trapped in a time loop where she dies repeatedly on her 36th birthday, waking up on the same day to the same Harry Nilsson song (“GOTTA GET UP, GOTTA GET OUT, GOTTA GET HOME,” you’ll find yourself singing long afterward).
You might be saying, “This is just Groundhog Day with Natasha Lyonne,” to which we have two responses: (1) It’s so much more than that, and (2) “Groundhog Day with Natasha Lyonne” is THE BEST IDEA EVER, how dare you.
Anyway, definitely watch Russian Doll and don’t tap out too early. Give it at least four episodes to show just how convoluted and entertaining it gets. Not only is it darkly funny, but it also subverts tropes (casting men in roles usually reserved for women, for example), has nuanced characters, and carries a great overarching message that sometimes the best thing you can do for yourself is to help somebody else.
As Brian Grubb already pointed out, Russian Doll readily lends itself to comparisons to The Good Place.
https://twitter.com/voidbuckyy/status/1094942764263911425
And people made other comparisons:
Russian Doll (2019) pic.twitter.com/dHh1Rc74pI
— paulina (@palynathisway) February 11, 2019
Russian Doll (2019)
(dir. various) pic.twitter.com/P2Vf4nWwQb— Simpsons Films (@simpsonsfilms) February 9, 2019
https://twitter.com/KWilsonHunte/status/1092001825946042369
https://twitter.com/FlixAndChillin/status/1091462769172303872
unfortunately, thanks to time loops, greta lee only has one outfit on netflix's russian doll. fortunately, that outfit is glamorous mermaid that killed a rich banker and stole all his money pic.twitter.com/VIbv2cmMZG
— gabe bergado (@gabebergado) February 4, 2019
The joking continued:
god the Russian Doll soundtrack slaps pic.twitter.com/hdOSdpnmsc
— grace perry (@perryjetaime) February 9, 2019
Watching #RussianDoll and just want my friends to know if you are ever stuck in a loop tell me, I will believe you immediately so don’t have to explain it all yet again
— Matt Wright (@Arthurpenwright) February 5, 2019
After watching Russian Doll there’s nothing more terrifying than this pic.twitter.com/0fWWHjtnUr
— Kevin Duggan (@kduggan16) February 9, 2019
Loved it but hate Russian dolls in general.
So full of themselves.
— Kelly Jackson | It’s More Fun In Your 30s (@Kelly_Jackson88) February 7, 2019
https://twitter.com/jotajessie/status/1092449867560112128
Russian Doll is great but no one in their right mind would throw a party on a Sunday.. maybe that's why the universe did what it did
— Netflix UK & Ireland (@NetflixUK) February 10, 2019
People picked their favorite supporting characters:
The real star of @netflix #RussianDoll is Oatmeal. Give Oatmeal his own series, you cowards!!! 👏🏻👏🏻 pic.twitter.com/RLKlRCSEdX
— Jᴇɴɴ Wɪᴛʜ 2 N's (@2nnjenn_) February 2, 2019
Hahaha! What a way to introduce a character! #RussianDoll pic.twitter.com/G8EVi9GPKn
— Marc Love (@marcslove) February 10, 2019
https://twitter.com/nwalks/status/1095825738098507777
https://twitter.com/allyonne/status/1093634149582323718
Jokes even tied Russian Doll to current events:
https://twitter.com/rachsyme/status/1096089517109534722
People picked their favorite lines of dialogue:
https://twitter.com/shr_frb/status/1095031745530003456
Okay, I'm so in for this now. #RussianDoll pic.twitter.com/sCvv9cz5r3
— tada 타다 🇵🇸 (@bergman_esque) February 1, 2019
i laughed so hard #RussianDoll @nlyonne pic.twitter.com/X3ywk7Egk4
— flɑvix (@iloveulyonne) February 1, 2019
And some narrowed their favorite dialogue down to a single word: cock-a-roach.
https://twitter.com/dykediscourse/status/1092885295865970688
i am a woman seeking a:
⚪️man
⚪️woman
🔘someone who pronounces “cockroach” exactly like natasha lyonne in russian doll— keely flaherty (@keelyflaherty) February 4, 2019
Natasha Lyonne herself weighed in:
I say kakaroach normal. It’s you all who are crazy.
— natasha lyonne (@nlyonne) February 13, 2019
Speaking of Natasha Lyonne (we always are), people on Twitter were delighted to see her again:
https://twitter.com/judyberman/status/1091560703868235778
Natasha Lyonne's hair in RUSSIAN DOLL should win Best Supporting Actress
— Jorge Molina (@colormejorge) February 4, 2019
I am truly thrilled to be living during the Natasha Lyonnaissance.
— Louis Peitzman (@LouisPeitzman) February 11, 2019
Season one of Russian Doll is currently streaming on Netflix.