There’s something fascinating about watching the wealthy and powerful live their luxurious yet risky lives. Shows like Big Little Lies, The White Lotus, and Succession combine both humor and social critique, adding a fun layer to their storytelling. Netflix’s latest series, The Perfect Couple, is part of this growing genre.
The series, based on the book by New York Times bestselling author Elin Hilderbrand, stars Nicole Kidman and Liev Schreiber. It promises a thrilling murder mystery across six episodes, mixing suspense and drama. While the show starts strong with good pacing and well-built characters, it falters at the end, with rushed plot points that reduce the initial tension.
Shawn Levy, who recently worked on Deadpool and Wolverine, is the executive producer of this series. Directed by Susanne Bier (The Undoing) and led by showrunner Jenna Lamia (Good Girls), The Perfect Couple is a dark comedy that blends humor with dark themes.
Set in Nantucket, the show looks at the lives of the wealthy, where old money and social standing are everything. The story takes a dark turn when a guest at a wedding is found dead, sparking a real-life investigation. Everyone becomes a suspect, adding many layers to the story, which remains gripping despite its weak conclusion.
What is The Perfect Couple About?
The story follows Amelia Sacks (played by Eve Hewson), a middle-class woman engaged to Benji Winbury (Billy Howle), a member of the wealthy Winbury family. Right from the start, Amelia faces tension with her future mother-in-law, Greer Garrison Winbury (Nicole Kidman).
This power struggle becomes a key point in the series, with Amelia constantly reminded that she is not part of their world. Unlike the Winburys, Amelia doesn’t share their values, making her a threat to those who don’t care about the consequences of their actions.
At first, The Perfect Couple gives off vibes similar to The White Lotus. These wealthy, privileged characters are completely disconnected from reality. Much like other shows in this genre, the Netflix series gets its charm from portraying out-of-touch characters and the extravagant details of their lives.
This is a family bored with their wealth. One scene shows patriarch Tag Winbury (Liev Schreiber) casually hitting golf balls into the ocean, not caring if they hit seagulls. In their large beachfront home, the family’s carefree attitudes are revealed through dancing and casual conversations, highlighting their privilege.
We also meet Benji’s siblings, Thomas (Jack Reynor) and Will (Sam Nivola). While Will is heartbroken, Thomas is arrogant and self-centered, married to the controlling Abby (Dakota Fanning).
Thomas publicly flirts with other women and complains about not being chosen as Benji’s best man, losing the role to Benji’s best friend, Shooter (Ishaan Khatter). This conflict highlights the family’s sense of entitlement and the hidden dysfunction beneath their polished appearances.
To balance things out, Amelia’s best friend Merritt (Meghann Fahy), a social media influencer, joins the wedding festivities. Though she draws attention, Merritt remains loyal to Amelia.
The characters are introduced early on, setting the pace and tone. What begins as the wedding of the season turns into a nightmare when a body is discovered on the beach. This triggers a series of events that uncover the family’s darkest secrets, leading to a conclusion no one could have predicted.
As secrets come to light and everyone becomes a suspect, the tensions rise. These interactions add depth to the show, revealing more about the characters and their motivations, making The Perfect Couple even more gripping.
The Cast of The Perfect Couple Shines
As we get to know the Winbury family through Amelia, we see that their seemingly perfect world is full of cracks. These characters are far from perfect, and their interactions with Amelia, who serves as a voice of reason outside their bubble of privilege, make this clear.
Eve Hewson, best known for The Knick and Bad Sisters, delivers a standout performance. Although she’s not as famous as her father, Bono, her portrayal of the determined and empathetic Amelia is striking. She holds her own alongside Kidman, lifting the series to a higher level.
Nicole Kidman, known for her versatility, shines as Greer Garrison Winbury. Her performance is subtle yet powerful, conveying a mix of authority and emotion.
Greer is a protective mother with many secrets, and Kidman’s portrayal keeps the audience on edge. Liev Schreiber’s performance as Tag Winbury is also notable. His character is harder to read, but Schreiber portrays him as someone simmering with hidden emotions.
The cast of The Perfect Couple includes both established actors and newcomers, bringing energy and depth to the series. Dakota Fanning, who plays Abby, steals every scene she’s in. Watching her portray a controlling yet vulnerable character adds a layer of entertainment to the show.
Jack Reynor provides comic relief as the entitled Thomas, delivering witty lines and amusing interactions. Meghann Fahy, known for The White Lotus Season 2, brings a familiar energy to her role but adds more depth, balancing fun and sadness in her portrayal of Merritt.
The Ending of The Perfect Couple Feels Rushed
The six-episode series keeps a strong pace, keeping viewers engaged and curious. Similar to the book, The Perfect Couple is easy to binge-watch. Each character has a duality that makes the show more compelling. However, while the first five episodes are strong, the final episode feels rushed.
The introduction of more humor in the finale reduces the tension that had been building, weakening the impact of the story.
The mystery is solved, but the ending feels abrupt. Some plot points remain unresolved, which takes away from the show’s earlier charm. While the family’s secrets are revealed and the killer’s motives are clear, the pacing speeds up too quickly in the final moments.
The emotional impact of the death is heartbreaking, but not all questions are answered, especially concerning the supporting characters and their relationships. This might be an attempt to stay faithful to Hilderbrand’s novel, but it leaves room for Netflix to possibly continue the story, much like they did with Big Little Lies.
Despite its rushed conclusion and changes in tone, The Perfect Couple succeeds in developing its characters, thanks to strong performances and intriguing tension. The series blends dark comedy with drama, keeping viewers hooked until the very end, even if the finale leaves some loose ends.
