Russian Doll Uses A Iconic Plot Device

Russian Doll revolves around a familiar trope. Happy Death Day was perhaps the first thing recently to leverage the Groundhog Day loop into a horror comedy—and now Russian Doll is doing it with…

Well, if I’m being honest, I’m not entirely sure what this show’s genre really is. Mystery? Comedy? Drama?

It’s certainly all of that. And more.

You all know the premise. Nadia seems to have a very fragile constitution and dies easily, but, every time she does, she resets back to a bathroom that’s growingly symbolic. What follows is drama, emotional issues, and shenanigans.

Russian Doll Is Thankfully Lighthearted Sometimes

But is the show worth your time? Well, I was dubious that a show, instead of a movie, could properly use a respawn loop. But, Russian Doll skirts this by having the first three episodes be basically like sitting through the first third of a silly sci-fi/fantasy film. It does everything you might expect—at least so far—with the premise. They leverage it to some pretty snappy comedy with a staircase that is surprisingly deadly and do the whole “they’ll just think you’re crazy” bit you’d expect.

However, the show is also crude. I’m not one to be phased by characters doing amoral things—but the show has a real sense of grime to it. I felt a little unclean at times. Instead of Bill Murray, we get an older, grumpy woman who’s tried every drug under the sun and doesn’t seem to really get along with most people. Thankfully, she’s still likable enough to carry the plot.

Russian Doll Has A Unique Main Character

Her being sympathetic is also helped by her apparently being fate’s punching bag and yet remaining a witty, snarky character. If nothing else, I can’t say I was ever bored with her—or the show in general.

So, give it a view. If you like the gimmick, if you like unique heroines, if you don’t mind some serious on-screen drug use, you’re in for a strange ride as a woman tries her best to sarcasm her way past death.

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