Starring Natasha Lyonne, Rian Johnson’s new Peacock show Poker Face had fans gushing on Twitter. We’ve rounded up some of the best reactions here.
Instead of basking in the success of Glass Onion, Rian Johnson has been working hard to create a killer mystery show that fans have taken to social media to declare their love for. Starring the icon Natasha Lyonne, Poker Face is a spin on the murder-mystery genre that differs from what is currently being aired.
Fans have been comparing Poker Face to Columbo, a similar murder mystery show where viewers see the crime happening at the beginning of the show rather than figuring out whodunnit along with the investigator.
#PokerFace is just straight-up great television.
It’s a modern take on Columbo, with its own compelling lead and twists on the formula, but without any BS to muddle what makes this kind of series so engaging to watch in the first place…
Simply, characters that stick with you. pic.twitter.com/EvOujvG8ff
— Brian Koch (@Thisisntflying) January 27, 2023
The show is also chock full of references to other shows and movies like Star Wars, Magnum PI, and Community (though that last one is still being debated online). Some fans also caught a reference to the espionage drama Burn Notice in the first episode.
I am already declaring Poker Face the best show of the last decade based solely upon the fact that it references Burn Notice, one of the most entertaining shows of all time.
— Brianna Ashby (@brianna_ashby) January 28, 2023
The show features a reference to the cult classic Pulp Fiction, which had film nerds on Twitter geeking out.
Saw the clips from PULP FICTION in POKER FACE and was like, “It’s weird referencing current pop culture” and then I realized that was 30 years ago and that’s like Tarantino referencing a ’60s film in PF and then I had to lay down because I am old and my bones are dust.
— DrewMcWeeny (@DrewMcWeeny) January 27, 2023
Lots of love has also been shared for the many ways Poker Face is different from traditional crime dramas and murder-mystery shows. One fan praised the way the show is unique in the motivations behind the crimes featured.
Every crime in #PokerFace is money related. No crimes of passion. Same for the Benoit Blanc movies. Crimes caused by capitalism. The conservative blogs are gonna freak once they figure this out
— Phil Nobile Jr. (@PhilNobileJr) January 29, 2023
Fan praise extended to the incredible diversity in the people Rian Johnson worked with on the show, including writer Alice Ju and directors Tiffany Johnson and Janicza Bravo.
I love how Rian Johnson is spotlighting so many female directors and writers in #PokerFace pic.twitter.com/XaWivb8Tk6
— Jordan Woodson @ Sundance 2023 (online) (@jordanjwoodson) January 29, 2023
Taking cues from murder mysteries from the past, the 70’s vibe of the show was also a huge hit with fans. This fan likened the show to the work of Gordon Willis, the cinematographer of the Godfather.
Now that #PokerFace is out, it’s worth pausing to acknowledge Steve Yedlin’s cinematography on the pilot.
In keeping with the seventies influence, there’s a lovely golden hue, and it’s shot in shadows evoking Gordon Willis.
It’s gorgeous. pic.twitter.com/3Zcb6zEiZl
— Darren Mooney (@Darren_Mooney) January 26, 2023
Celebs have also been reacting to the show’s release on social media. Noah Segan, an actor who cameos in almost all of Rian Johnson’s work, took to Twitter to share his love for the car Charlie drives in the show.
🚙🧵
one of the coolest parts about #PokerFace is Charlie’s blue 1969 Barracuda fastback, inspired by a car owned by Tom Richmond, cinematographer of your favorite films: https://t.co/vKZwzr3uGAHe made movies with me, Natasha, & his protégée Jaron photographed much of the show. pic.twitter.com/TNPs7hKLP4
— Noah Segan (@kidblue) January 26, 2023
Singer Shaun Cassidy, the son of Jack Cassidy, who was in a couple of episodes of Columbo, shared his praise for the show on social media.
For decades folks have tried to find the next #Columbo. Toughest mystery to write, open-ended, audience knows who did it. But @rianjohnson and @nlyonne have pulled it off. #PokerFace is brilliant. So smart. Here’s a pic of 24 yr old Spielberg directing dad in the original… pic.twitter.com/5NCEJtg31L
— Shaun Cassidy (@shaunpcassidy) January 28, 2023
With such a solid start to the first season, fans are excited to see what the episodes released this week will bring. Stream new episodes of Poker Face every Thursday on Peacock.
Where do I file my official demand for several hundred episodes of Poker Face? Does @peacock have a department for that, or is this tweet enough?
— Franklin Leonard (@franklinleonard) January 28, 2023
