Critic Reviews

In only the span of six episodes (12 overall if you count Season 1 too), Starstruck has achieved what it takes other shows countless seasons to nail.

It’s one of the great achievements of this new HBO Max comedy that this dance of uncertain feelings and independent lives is so well woven into the genuinely funny DNA of the rest of the series that it all feels blissfully natural.

With its second season, “Starstruck” doesn’t just continue enchanting the audience with its hilarious love story: it confirms its emotional intelligence, despite its heroine’s relatable stupidity about love.

Clocking in right over two hours, Starstruck makes for a quick summer watch that leaves you wanting to linger in the escapist joy for a little longer. Just like a good rom-com should.

In addition to the sharp wit of the series that leads to many laugh-out-loud moments, “Starstruck” is elevated by its pacing and use of time. .... “Starstruck” gets to the heart of what makes life such a mindfuck.

Starstruck feels as lived-in as the most popular rom-coms; but at the same time, Matafeo’s series is constantly reinventing itself and its leading lady.

Matafeo and Patel’s fantastic chemistry is more than capable of carrying the pair through their bumpiest moments, and the show does a rather remarkable job of reshaping the contours of their epic first season will they/won’t they story into something that is new and different, but no less compelling than it was before.

And although the show stumbles occasionally in this third outing—Patel is sadly underutilized, and Macfadyen’s charm must occasionally cover for thin character beats—its heartfelt honesty continues to shine through.

Starstruck’s lead pair is endlessly endearing and watchable, even when the show recycles some of their core issues by the end of the season. Thankfully, the repetition doesn’t hinder the show too much. It’s still a goldmine in terms of a lighthearted rom-com, exactly the kind of brief, joyful escape we need.

It’s not perfect, but the right balance of glee, melancholy, and realism makes it a standout modern-day rom-com.