Lisa Kudrow hailed for carrying ‘flimsy’ new comedy No Good Deed in first reviews
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Netflix's latest comedy, No Good Deed, hasn't managed to win over critics, even with its impressive cast that includes Lisa Kudrow, Ray Romano, and Linda Cardellini.
The eight-part series that premiered on Thursday, December 12, centers on a couple, portrayed by Kudrow and Romano, who decide to sell their luxurious 1920s Spanish-style villa in Los Angeles, aiming to begin anew. Their property quickly garners interest from several families eager to buy, believing that this charming house will take away all their troubles. However, the couple must conceal the troubling secrets that haunt the home if they want any chance of making a sale.
No Good Deed also includes talented actors like Abbi Jacobson from Broad City, rising star Poppy Liu from Hacks, comedian Matt Rogers, Luke Wilson from Legally Blonde, and Denis Leary from Rescue Me. Despite having a strong cast, Liz Feldman’s new series, known for creating Dead to Me, has received mixed feedback in its initial reviews, with TVLine referring to it as “weak” and “unstable.”
Kudrow has received special attention for her role as Lydia Morgan. According to Rebecca Nicholson from The Guardian, the former Friends star effectively drives this intriguing and addictive mystery.
Carol Midgley from The Times echoed this sentiment, even stating that Kudrow is the one who "rescues this comedy."
"Kudrow demonstrates her ability to handle both comedic and serious roles, proving that she can effectively carry a film by herself," she stated about the actress.
Alison Herman from Variety noted that the show's heavy dependence on unexpected turns can actually be detrimental.
Nonetheless, she noted that "when the eight-episode season establishes its narrative, it becomes clear that there's a solid foundation underneath the extraneous elements typical of its main industry."
At the same time, Saloni Gajjar expressed a more pointed criticism of the show in her AV Club article, stating that “No Good Deed isn't worth your time.”
At first, the series seems to have potential, but she claims it gradually diminishes in quality. She describes it as surprisingly dull, with poorly developed storylines, a lack of tension, disconnected plot threads that come together too late, and shallow character growth.
Regarding the conclusion of the comedy, Robert Lloyd from the Los Angeles Times remarked that it seemed as if the series “loses its momentum.”
"Once the central mysteries hit their peak, the series skips ahead by six months, delivering an ending that's so neat, generous, and emotionally charged that it almost feels like a joke," he remarked.
You can watch No Good Deed on Netflix.
