Netflix's latest rom-com show, Nobody Wants This, a series that's unabashedly romantic but elevates itself above the competition by asking provocative questions. However, at the heart of the series is a traditional narrative of two people finding each other. There are moments when it could go further, but that's not what the show is for. It's idealistic, compelling, and doesn't ask too much from us.
Nobody Wants This is a TV show that takes on the difficult task of hinging the entire premise on a single romantic relationship. Joanne (Bell) is a non-religious podcaster living in Los Angeles who meets Noah (Brody), a rabbi, at a dinner party. Both are looking for serious changes in their love lives, but the pair can't help their attraction despite the clear signals that getting into a relationship will be far from easy.
Kristen Bell & Adam Brody's Chemistry Propels Nobody Wants This' Plot
Their Comedic Skills & Timing Make For Exciting Moments Of Matching Wits
Bell and Brody are veterans of the will-they/won't-they dynamic and the rom-com genre, and they step back into these roles in their new series. Funny and charming in different but complementary ways, Joanne and Noah are an easy couple to root for. From witty banter to physical chemistry, their love story is believable and not quite as unconventional as the story portents. Their first kiss is a romantic, tension-filled moment that could rival some of the best sitcom first kisses of all time, even Nick and Jess's in New Girl.
Bell and Brody starred in Veronica Mars and The O.C., two teen drama TV shows with influential soundtracks, which is fitting considering how many amazing needle drops are featured in Nobody Wants This. From HAIM and Remi Wolf to Olivia Rodrigo, the Netflix series successfully communicates through its music that the show is in conversation with popular culture. Joanne's career as a sex and relationship podcaster, along with her sister Morgan (embodied by the always hilarious Justine Lupe) is played for laughs. However, it's also taken seriously as a career, and Noah never belittles her profession as less than his.
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Nobody Wants This' ing cast features several great comedic performers, like Timothy Simons, best known for Veep, Sherry Cola, and Jackie Tohn. Their characters flesh out the lives and relationships of Joanne and Noah, anchoring the two hopeless romantics in some much-needed reality. Sasha (Simons) is Noah's brother, and he and Morgan serve as strong foils to the central couple, as family dynamics are a huge part of Nobody Wants This. The more we learn about Noah and Joanne's parents and their backgrounds, the more their relationship dynamic and its inevitable pitfalls make sense.
Nobody Wants This Struggles To Keep Its Premise Fresh Throughout The Season
The Back & Forth Between Joanne & Noah Can Grow Tiring
It's difficult to bring the rom-com genre to television, and the biggest fault of Nobody Wants This is that it could easily have been a 90-minute movie. The series stretches its premise as far as possible, but there are only so many times the story can play out yet another scenario exploring how Noah and Joanne's different worlds will keep them apart. As the episodes progress, the show introduces plot points about other characters and Joanne and Noah's careers, but the series is afraid to go as far as it can.
True conflict, anger, and fallout from the character's decisions never come, making it difficult to feel the stakes of the relationship.
True conflict, anger, and fallout from the character's decisions never come, making it difficult to feel the stakes of the relationship. While Joanne gets a bit more focus than Noah, it's his characterization and development I wanted much more of. Joanne constantly asks herself if she's capable of changing and being better. Conversely, we're asked to assume and accept that Noah is personally ready for this relationship; it's only the external forces holding him back. He's still charming and likable, but I want to know as much about him and his fears as I do about Joanne.
Similarly, the secondary characters could have used more screen time. The growing relationship between Morgan and Sasha and the humanizing moments between Esther (Tohn) and her daughter Miriam (Shiloh Bearman) are hints of what Nobody Wants This attempts to be but falls short of. The larger family dynamic, pressures, and expectations affect everyone; they're not unique to Joanne and Noah. This is a strength for the series, as navigating an imperfect family is a universal experience, and it makes Joanne and Noah more interesting people.
There's Potential For Nobody Wants This Season 2, But The Series Will Have To Work For It
Joanne & Noah Can't Be The Sole Focus Of Another Season
Joanne and Noah wonder if their connection can go deeper and if their barriers can be brought down. In their attempts to get closer, the pair are forced to grapple with their hidden fears and motivations, and the serious tone the show takes in these moments isn't always natural. The characters can tend toward being thinly veiled mouthpieces for the theological and moral debates the couple frequently takes part in. Despite this, the series makes some good points and encourages us to be vulnerable.
There's a path forward for season 2, and if the series can shake off only revolving around Noah and Joanne, it could be even better. While it's a rom-com through and through, by the season finale, Nobody Wants This starts to make good use of its larger narrative and lands some strong emotional beats as Joanne and Noah look at their situation practically. I cared deeply about their fates and futures while watching and look forward to more of it, if only for Bell and Brody.
Nobody Wants This is now available to stream on Netflix.
Nobody Wants This
- Release Date
- September 6, 2024
- Showrunner
- Erin Foster, Craig DiGregorio
- Writers
- Erin Foster
Cast
Joanne
Adam BrodyNoah Roklov
WHERE TO WATCH
A loud, agnostic sex podcaster and a newly single rabbi unexpectedly fall in love, forcing them to navigate the complexities of their clashing beliefs, families, and careers. Their relationship faces constant tension as they balance their personal lives with societal pressures, leading to a series of humorous and heartfelt challenges.
- Kristen Bell and Adam Brody have great chemistry
- The rom-com aspect is done well and is believable
- The season needed less focus on Joanne and Noah
- The series can take a serious tone that doesn't feel natural
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