After premiering early in 2019, Russian Doll became one of the most well-reviewed shows of the year. Its premise is based on a well-known trope, that of a protagonist reliving the same day over and over. Natasha Lyonne stars as Nadia, a troubled woman who uses avoidance so she doesn't have to confront her issues related to past traumas.
She keeps dying and then coming back to the same point. Eventually, she meets Alan, a stranger with whom she shares this nightmarish experience. The two must confront their traumas and help one another in order to break out of the loop. Season one concluded in a way that suggested that their story could be finished, but the creators announced that a second season is on its way.
Groundhog Day (1993)
Groundhog Day popularized the same-day time loop trope that's since become a common tool in fiction. Bill Murray stars in this unique romantic comedy about a selfish man forced to live the same seemingly tedious day, over and over again. By living the same day over and over, he begins to notice things about others that he hadn't before.
He eventually learns to be a better person through the ordeal and finds love with a woman who wouldn't have given the old him a chance. It's similar to Russian Doll in how it uses time travel to promote character growth, but it takes a more light-hearted approach to the concept.
But I'm A Cheerleader (1999)
Natasha Lyonne's first starring role was in But I'm a Cheerleader, a comedy about conversion therapy. She plays a cheerleader who's sent to "True Directions," a color-coordinated camp designed to teach queer youths how to be straight.
Her unique screen presence that makes her right at home in starring roles can be seen in both But I'm a Cheerleader and Russian Doll, but the contrast in the two roles demonstrates her range. It's a genuinely funny and charming film, one that fans of Lyonne should definitely check out.
Silver Linings Playbook (2012)
The emotional heart of Russian Doll comes from the developing relationship between Nadia and Allen, the two characters who are stuck in a time loop that they need to help each other get out of. Similarly, Silver Linings Playbook is about the relationship between two people struggling with depression and other issues related to mental health, who are able to find strength in each other.
The cast is incredible, and Jennifer Lawrence's performance earned her an Academy Award. The theme of getting through life with someone you can depend on, which Russian Doll does so well, is similarly central to Silver Linings Playbook.
About Time (2013)
About Time follows a young man who discovers that the men in his family have the ability to relive (or redo) moments in their life. He uses his power to redo moments in his love life, either in order to make things perfect or to relive things that already were. When he tries to use his ability to solve other people's problems, he learns that there can be a downside to going back in time.
The sweetness and genuinely warm feelings with which the film approaches the topic of life feels similar to the bittersweet euphoria that can be found in that final scene of Russian Doll, season one.
Orange Is The New Black (2013 - 2019)
Natasha Lyonne brings something similar to both her role as Nadia in Russian Doll to Nicky in Orange Is the New Black, where she plays an inmate with mental health issues related to her poor relationship with her mother.
As one of the first Netflix original series to gain immense popularity, OITNB increased the recognizability of many members of its talented cast. Dascha Polanco is particularly great in the show, with a larger role than she has in Russian Doll. It's another show with complex characters that's unafraid to go into darker issues.
Fleabag (2016 - 2018)
Fleabag, written by and starring the talented Phoebe Waller-Bridge, is a two-season series about a young woman referred to only as Fleabag. Like Nadia, Fleabag is a bit of a mess when the audience first meets her, but for altogether different reasons.
Though she is missing her mother, Fleabag's issues stem from what she's done, not so much what's been done to her. Because of this, she's rather immature and selfish, yet Waller-Bridge's performance manages to make you sympathize and root for her, even when she does inexcusable things.
Dark (2017 - 2020)
Dark is a show about relived trauma amplified by an inescapable time loop. The German town of Winden is stalked by time itself, as members of the community go missing and reappear 20 years in the past.
The tone of the show is often quite bleak, as none of the characters are able to avoid repeating mistakes that put their loved ones in danger. Rather than end on a note of complete healing, Dark's ending is one of healing through great sacrifice. It's bittersweet, and one of the best series finales of all time.
Sharp Objects (2018)
Like Russian Doll, Sharp Objects is about a woman with PTSD and a very challenging mother. Amy Adams stars in this thriller-mystery mini-series on HBO, based on the novel by author Gillian Flynn.
Flynn's affinity for shocking twists is present in this story, with two twists that add far more to the story than shock value. Amy Adam's gives a fantastic performance that's garnered recognition since the show's release.
Euphoria (2019 - )
Euphoria is another series depicting a protagonist who struggles with self-destructive behavior. The main characters deal with both typical adolescent drama and more adult matters.
Struggles with addiction and mental illness are handled with emotion and care, and Zendaya gives her best performance to date. Though the characters are significantly younger than those in Russian Doll, the themes of struggle, trauma, and addiction are handled in a similarly masterful fashion.
Uncut Gems (2019)
In Uncut Gems, Adam Sandler spends the runtime desperately trying to find his way out of an increasingly dire predicament. His character, Howard, has a gambling addiction that causes him to quickly spiral more and more out of control.
His protagonist shares with Nadia a tendency to spiral, and the stories share the anxiety of a ticking clock. Both also feature some really great, thickly-accented lead performances. The frenetic energy and racketing tension of Uncut Gems provides a suspense that crescendos in the final act.