REVIEW: ‘The Perfect Couple’ Is A Twisting, Gripping Mystery

The Perfect Couple, Netflix’s latest release, brings Elin Hilderbrand’s bestselling novel to life in a gripping miniseries adaptation. The six-episode drama, mystery, and romance series, directed by Susanne Bier (Bird Box) and co-executive produced by Bier and Jenna Lamia, tells the story of unraveling dark secrets, family drama, romance, and murder. The series star-studded cast features Nicole Kidman as Greer Garrison Winbury, Liev Schreiber as Tag Winbury, Dakota Fanning as Abby Winbury, Eve Hewson as Amelia Sacks, Billy Howle as Benji Winbury, and Meghann Fahy as Merrit Monaco.

In The Perfect Couple, Amelia Sacks prepares to marry into one of Nantucket’s wealthiest families, the Winburys. As an outsider to Nantucket high society, Amelia often clashes with her fiancé’s ultra-elite family, especially her future mother-in-law, the famous author Greer Garrison Winbury. Just as Amelia tries to navigate the complexities of high society and the lavish wedding weekend begins, things take a dark turn when a dead body is found on the Winbury family property. Suddenly, everyone at the wedding party is now a suspect.

The Perfect Couple will captivate fans of murder mysteries, particularly those who enjoy the suspense and drama similar to the Knives Out films. Much like the hit film, this series uses the backdrop of a wealthy family and high-society events to craft a thrilling story filled with twists and turns. The luxurious wedding, relationship dynamics, and family drama add intrigue to the story. Making The Perfect Couple a binge-worthy show with some rewatchnjhhhb6 value.

In terms of character morality, The Perfect Couple presents very few virtuous characters, which is not bad. Most characters are flawed and do not lead with the purest intentions. This lack of moral clarity makes for a much more engaging story as the characters’ true natures, motives, and the complexities of their relationships gradually come to light.

The Perfect Couple’s filming style makes the show incredibly captivating. The series frequently employs dynamic camera work and close-up shots that add to the scene intensity and sometimes unsettling layer to the narrative. The visual approach captures the characters’ subtle emotions and reactions, emphasizing their inner thoughts, insecurities, and the tension in their interactions with others. One notable technique is the frequent close-up of certain characters’ eyes. Initially, it didn’t seem very clear, but it highlights the intensity of the characters’ emotions and hidden secrets.

The series also stands out for its exceptional performances; most noteworthy is Nicole Kidman and Liev Schreiber’s dynamic on-screen chemistry. The interplay between their performances highlights the series, with both actors skillfully playing off each other’s strengths and vulnerabilities. Kidman’s portrayal of Greer embodies the waspy elitism that her character demands but is also very layered.

She delivers a performance reminiscent of that one rich friend’s mom you had who acted polite to your face, but you could sense the underlying contempt. However, Kidman’s performance goes beyond surface-level snobbery; Greer is a character with layers, and Kidman skillfully reveals her vulnerabilities and complexities. As the series progresses, Greer’s motivations and insecurities are more understandable, making her a relatable multidimensional character.

Opposite Kidman, Schreiber’s Tag Winbury complements Kidman’s Greer with equal skill. His portrayal of the hot, charming stoner husband, yet underneath, he is a conflicted family patriarch who is more in tune with things than people give him credit for. All of these provide an interesting counterbalance to Kidman’s character. Together, Kidman and Schreiber portray this endearing, picturesque “it couple” that everyone wishes they could be. As the series progresses, the idea of them being the perfect couple is challenged and gradually unravels to show something more raw and vulnerable.

Greer and Amelia’s relationship throughout the series creates another interesting relationship dynamic and dramatic flair. Greer’s subtle disdain towards Amelia is more than the usual cold mother-in-law rivalry. As the show proceeds, it is clear that deeper insecurities drive Greer’s hostility. Amelia represents a form of authenticity and realness that contrasts with Greer’s carefully constructed persona, that she presents herself to be. Deep down, Greer sees something in Amelia that she has lost in her high society life.

As a character, Amelia is an outsider who does not exactly fit into the elitist Winbury family and their bizarre practices, like stealing pills, abusing their privilege, and their unsettlingly calm responses to death. While her initial resistance to these practices highlights her outsider status, it reveals her naiveté and lack of understanding of this high society world. As Amelia becomes more entangled in the Winbury world, her character becomes more complex and ultimately sets her on a full-circle journey by the end of the series.

The primary plot of The Perfect Couple is the murder mystery, which catalyzes the entire series; while the specifics of the murder won’t be discussed here to avoid spoilers, it is worth noting that the murder acts as a pivotal event that triggers a discussed here domino effect of revelations and events. Without this tragedy, many of the characters’ secrets might have remained buried, and the intricate web of relationships and betrayal may never been exposed.

The series skillfully branches off from the central plot in each episode, interweaving multiple subplots and storylines that interconnect to create a twisted and thrilling narrative. As the investigation unfolds, so do these subplots. Revealing the hidden truths and depths of the characters and showing how intertwined their lives are, the murder unravels the carefully crafted facades they try to maintain.

Although the series features several noteworthy performances, some characters needed to be more developed. For instance, Dan Carter, the chief of police in charge of the case, has a complex history with the Winbury family. However, this intriguing angle only partially materialized, leaving his character arc unfinished and missing an opportunity for added tension.

The Perfect Couple will captivate fans of murder mysteries seeking a new binge-able miniseries. Despite some underdeveloped characters, the series shines with suspense, complex relationships, and standout performances. With its dynamic cinematography and a plot that constantly twists and turns, The Perfect Couple delivers a thrilling experience that keeps viewers engaged until the very end.

The Perfect Couple is streaming exclusively on Netflix on September 5.