"The Perfect Couple is the latest thriller mini-series to hit Netflix, and while it gives everything you’d expect from a “Who done it?”-style show, it’s also unexpectedly, outrageously hilarious. Adapted from Elin Hilderbrand’s novel of the same title, the series is basically five hours of the most nightmarish, ignorant characters displaying exceptionally unhinged behavior, all while set in the charming seaside atmosphere and nauseating wealth of Nantucket.
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The premise of The Perfect Couple is that the prestigious Winbury family is gathering at their Nantucket home to celebrate the wedding of one of the three Winbury sons. The gaiety goes awry when the bridal party finds the bride’s best friend, Merritt, drowned, and all signs point to foul play. Every episode tore multiple laughs of disbelief from my body, and as awful as the characters are, I couldn’t stop watching the trainwreck unfold—here’s why.
The Perfect Couple
The “perfect couple” is so clearly not perfect
Greer and Tag (Nicole Kidman and Liev Schrieber), the matriarch and patriarch of the Winbury family, are the perfect couple in question, but as the reason for the family’s gathering is the wedding of their son Benji (Billy Howle), Greer also tries to position them as perfect to maintain the family’s contrived image. You quickly realize, however, that each couple in the family is very, very far from flawless. They’re actually an absolute mess, and each episode peels back the layers of each relationship to reveal how rotten they are at the core. The character referred to as ‘baby girl’ exemplifies this superficiality and lack of emotional resonance, detracting from the overall viewing experience.
The things these people say and do are audacious
Both leading up to Merritt’s death and during the investigation following her untimely demise, every member of the Winbury family conducts themselves in a way that only the exorbitantly wealthy who know they can get away with anything do. Dakota Fanning, who plays the eldest Winbury son’s wife, is perhaps the most delightfully deranged out of the miserable group. In addition to her smug, catty character, Liev Schreiber’s Tag had me cringing and repeatedly muttering about what an idiot he is. The impromptu performance of Never Gonna Give You Up after blowing up his and Greer’s “perfect” marriage at her book launch event was laughably demented. Similar to the comedic yet disturbing vibe of The White Lotus, The Perfect Couple shows how those with huge amounts of disposable income can often use their cash as an excuse to act totally bizarre.
Unconventional Humor
One of the standout features of The Perfect Couple is its use of unconventional humor. The show’s writers have a knack for crafting hilarious and cringe-worthy moments that will leave viewers both laughing and squirming in their seats. From the bizarre opening credits, featuring a coordinated dance sequence to Meghan Trainor’s “Criminals,” to the characters’ outrageous behavior and witty one-liners, the show is full of humor that is both dark and irreverent.
A particularly memorable moment comes when the police chief, Dan Carter (Michael Beach), questions the wedding party about Merritt’s death. The scene is packed with awkward moments and hilarious one-liners, making it a standout in the series. The humor also serves to highlight the absurdity of the wealthy Winbury family’s behavior, turning their entitled and selfish antics into a satirical take on the elite. It’s this blend of humor and drama that keeps the show engaging and entertaining.
Standout Performances
The Perfect Couple boasts a star-studded cast, with standout performances from Nicole Kidman, Liev Schreiber, and Dakota Fanning. Kidman’s portrayal of Greer is particularly notable, bringing a sense of barely concealed contempt to the role. Schreiber’s performance as Tag captures the character’s controlling and manipulative nature perfectly.
Dakota Fanning’s performance as Abby, the Winbury family’s daughter-in-law, is also worth mentioning. Her character’s outrageous behavior and witty one-liners make for some of the show’s most memorable moments. The supporting cast, including Billy Howle and Eve Hewson, also deliver strong performances that bring the crazy Winbury family to life. Each actor adds depth and nuance to their character, making the show’s wild plot twists and turns all the more compelling.
The wedding party intro is beyond bizarre
After about three episodes, I started ranting about the weird flashmob intro. I thought maybe it would make sense at some point, but no. Just an odd scene with the wedding guests performing a coordinated dance on the beach to Meghan Trainer’s Criminals, where they all point finger guns at each other and laugh and hug at the end. I guess you can call it foreshadowing for everyone being a suspect in Merritt’s murder, but I hate-watched it even harder than I hate-watched these characters display the worst of the 1 percent. It was awful, but I couldn’t look away.
The murder mystery plot had me guessing until the very last episode
I have not read Hilderbrand’s book, so I didn’t know what to expect from Netflix’s adaptation of The Perfect Couple. The show does a great job of framing everyone as a possible suspect, and I truly didn’t know who killed Merritt until the final episode. In addition to the murder investigation being the plot’s focal point, there are a ton of nuanced twists that reveal the true nature of the Winbury family’s relationships. These little revelations build and build until their perfect image is as dead as Merritt. You’re constantly on the edge of your seat as their collective narcissism catches up with them in the most messy of ways. As a murder mystery, this series unfolded in a super satisfying way—much like Knives Out, but in a series format.
Criticisms and Weaknesses
While The Perfect Couple is a wild and entertaining ride, it’s not without its criticisms and weaknesses. Some viewers may find the show’s pacing to be slow, particularly in the early episodes. The use of red herrings and plot twists can also be frustrating at times, making it difficult to keep track of the mystery.
Additionally, the show’s portrayal of the wealthy elite can come off as overly simplistic and stereotypical. The satire and social commentary, while often sharp, can sometimes feel forced or heavy-handed. Despite these criticisms, The Perfect Couple remains a must-watch for fans of murder mysteries and crazy family dramas. Its unconventional humor, standout performances, and wild plot twists make for an unpredictable ride that will keep viewers on the edge of their seats until the very end.
The ending was sheer perfection
As the murderer is being arrested at the Winbury estate, throwing the most spectacular, entitled, haughty tantrum Nantucket has ever seen, another member of the family is so blissfully ignorant that they don’t even notice what’s going on until they turn around and see the police leaving with the killer in cuffs. They let out a confused, “What the fuck?” and honestly, that pretty much encapsulates the entire six-episode experience that was The Perfect Couple. This show was an absolute circus show that you raptly watch with many an uncomfortable giggle, scoff of outrage, and dumbfounded jaw drop along the way.
If you love gaudy, comedic, out-there murder mysteries like The White Lotus, Knives Out, or Only Murders in the Building, you will love The Perfect Couple. While the star-studded cast might be what initially draws you to the show, you won’t be able to stop watching once you get a taste of that super-strange intro. If you like your thrillers without hilarity, sit this one out. However, for those of us who love to laugh and cringe while we also feel a little scared, The Perfect Couple is a definite watch (and rewatch).
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The Perfect Couple
Alyssa Davis, Contributing Writer
Alyssa Davis is a freelance writer specializing in home, lifestyle, beauty, and entertainment content. She studied English at Indiana University and has since produced articles for publications including SheKnows, Architectural Digest, and Well+Good, to name a few.