Netflix's latest dark comedy, “No Good Deed,” has just been released, and already the Internet is buzzing with mixed opinions. If you like shows with a touch of mystery and a twisted sense of humor, this could be the next big thing, but the reviews may be divided.
“No Good Deed” co-stars two of the most iconic sitcom stars of the '90s, Lisa Kudrow and Ray Romano, a seemingly ordinary couple with a not-so-ordinary secret in this dark, by “Dead to Me” creator Liz Feldman. comedic tale turns a dreamy house into a nightmare. It's a bold, intriguing and fresh premise.
The trailer sets the tone for a show that refuses to fit neatly into one genre. If you're looking for a potential film to watch this weekend, here's what you need to know about “No Good Deed” and what critics are saying about it now that it's on streaming services.
“No Good Deed” is an eight half-hour dark comedy show that centers on three very different families competing to buy a 1920s Spanish-style villa. But as the current owners have already learned, the dream home soon turns into a nightmare.
The couple selling the villa, Lydia (Lisa Kudrow) and Paul (Ray Romano), are desperately trying to hide the dark and dangerous secrets of their longtime home. But as tensions mount, they realize that the only way to move forward is to face the past they have avoided.
As of this writing, Rotten Tomatoes scores for “No Good Deed” are not available, but a quick search on the Internet will show that opinions are divided. The majority of critics say it is surprisingly humorless and has too many twists and turns in the plot. However, there are some positive opinions.
Daniel Fienberg of The Hollywood Reporter says: No Good Deed is perhaps most enjoyable in episodes 3 through 6. The bold twists are entertaining and funny, the dialogue is crisp, and there is enough unspoken anxiety and resignation in Kudrow and Romano's performances to keep everything grounded.”
Meanwhile, Collider's Isabella Soares writes, “With challenging performances (especially by Kudrow and Cardellini) and a murder mystery that examines character flaws in depth, No Good Deed evokes the nostalgic sentiment of a Garry Marshall film but more dark comedy vein.”
The Guardian's Rebecca Nicholson also found the show enjoyable: “Though clunky and too light at times, the story of a rich family competing to buy a house is chock-full of plot and filled with great performances.
However, “No Good Deed” has received more negative than positive reviews (a shame, since the premise seems promising.) Wenlei Ma of The Nightly says: “To say it is unnecessarily twee is an understatement; No Good Deed is less a TV show than a collection of dumb storylines and character choices that make the most fanciful of daytime melodies seem down-to-earth and realistic.”
Dan Einav of the Financial Times was also unimpressed: “As the real estate agent says in the opening scene, the charm of a property is often in the details. The same is true of television. What we have here is a show built on a solid foundation, but lacking the personality that makes you want to sleep in.”
Above all, viewers did not find the show truly funny, despite being billed as a comedy. Nick Shager of The Daily Beast said it was “shockingly unfunny” and that “all the rockin‘ musical cues in the world can't save ’No Good Deed' from humorless silliness.”
It is difficult to recommend something when the reviews are so incredibly mixed. Most of the praise lies with Kudrow and Romano's central performances and their ability to keep the story grounded. However, the criticisms focus on dumb character choices, a lack of humor, and a lack of intensity that makes you want to watch until the last episode.
But if you like dark comedies that delve into the thriller, mystery, and drama genres, “No Good Deed” may be worth watching this weekend. So far, however, the reviews have been mixed, and it's sure to score rotten on review aggregation sites.
I'm not keen on it. This weekend, check out some action-packed foreign films on Netflix for some fun entertainment, and you can also check out Netflix's best shows for half-hour episodes.
“No Good Deed” is available on Netflix.
.
Comments