Review by C.J. Bunce
Is it strange that the two latest Netflix series, Kingdom and Russian Doll, play out like they were written from the same story writing prompt? The title is perfect, Russian Doll–the traditional Eastern European nesting doll toy is a metaphor for the repetitive existence of the heroine in the next time loop-centric series. Natasha Lyonne (Blade: Trinity, American Pie) plays Nadya Vulvakov, an emotional, more accessible Jessica Jones–in fact the series might as well be called Marvel’s Russian Doll, because it’s centered on a superpowered heroine with a unique gift (like Deadpool 2’s Domino), the power of the do-over. The twist here is her power is not in her control, as with the dying and re-birth in the wonderful short-lived series Forever. Nadia’s got to make the best of it, and figure out why she’s repeating the same day, before it is too late.
In a month with Groundhog Day and the sequel to Happy Death Day just around the corner, the time loop trope shows no signs of stopping. (Not up to speed on time loops? Start here, then check out all we’ve covered at borg here). Even if you’re tired of the same old Noo Yawker shtick that’s been overused in sitcoms a million times, the hook of Russian Doll will keep you around for the full eight episodes. Vulgar will be your first impression of Nadia. She’s a mouthy 36-year-old who acts, talks, and seems to think she’s lived 85 years and her life is all used up. (It’s more than likely the cause is the chain smoking–the character acknowledges two packs per day and the actor sounds like that’s an underestimate, with one montage making it look like she isn’t going to live beyond the end of the series with all she inhales performing the role). Lyonne plays the accent 25 years older, sounding like Lorraine Bracco, or a brash Rhoda Morgenstern (or Rhoda’s mom?) impersonating Billy Crystal or Don Rickles stand-up routines, with a 1980s hair band orange wig that makes her look like “Andrew Dice Clay and the girl from Brave had a baby,” to top off the vibe. And every time she dies she appears back in front of a mirror confronting herself, looking something like a 1980s Stevie Nicks album cover.
As a time loop twisting tale, Russian Doll is a fresh surprise, providing no linear pathway for anyone to predict what will happen in the next episode. It’s the editing of the splices–the weaving of the scenes shot in the same place but at subtly different numerous times–that the production works into the story beautifully, many more than you’ve probably seen before in a time loop tale. Is it a time loop story of the science fiction, horror, or fantasy variety? You’ll just need to watch to find out.
