Why Is 'The Perfect Couple' Not So Perfect? Read Our Review

by Sophie She

Why Is 'The Perfect Couple' Not So Perfect? Read Our Review

24 Sept 2024

The Perfect Couple (2024) is a buzzing Netflix limited series based on the novel by Elin Hilderbrand. In short, it is a six-episode drama that follows the mystery of a murder at a glamorous wedding on Nantucket. The storyline is centred around the Winbury family, the synonym of "generational wealth", whose son's wedding is disrupted when a maid of honour’s body is discovered, leading to a whirlwind of unravelled secrets.

Directed by Susanne Bier, it premiered in September 2024 and features a star-studded ensemble cast, including Nicole Kidman, Liev Schreiber, Dakota Fanning, Eve Hewson, and Meghann Fahy.

Let me put this for you in some colours — imagine you are sitting on the terrace of a huge American house and comfy on a white cushion. Your skin is touching one of the cashmere sweaters you got from your mother this Christmas; you are drinking 500$ a bottle of whiskey in a crystal glass while contemplating the gorgeous coastline of Nantucket. Nothing is on your mind besides the troubled relationships in your family because you surely hate your parents, who pose to be the perfect Dash and Dolly, although you know it is a big fat lie. This is basically the introduction to the world our heroes live in.

Source: IMDb

Greer Garrison Winbury (Nicole Kidman) and Tag (Liev Schreiber) have been married for 29 years — what is a fairy tale, isn’t it? They have three sons: a troublesome, immature Thomas (Jack Reynor), who represents all the disgusting, generationally wealthy people. Benji (Billy Howle), the favoured "golden boy" with special admiration for his mother, of course. And the youngest, Will (Sam Nivola), who nobody cares about.

Source: IMDb

But the setting is celebratory, as Benji is about to marry Amelia (Eve Hewson), a woman he deeply loves despite her rural upbringing. Greer is, of course, outraged by this match, passive-aggressively criticising the bride. Thomas’s wife, Abby (Dakota Fanning), “matches the wallpaper”, as mentioned in the series, trying to be a part of the circle. And I personally cannot fail to mention the wedding planner, Roger. (Tim Bagley), who is enchanted by the high-society family, being a reasoner, mentioning that the Winbury family is not simply rich, but “I’m bored, let’s go buy a monkey rich or get away with the murder rich”.

Source: IMDb

Although the series is adorned by The Guardian, which called it “a glorious, perfectly paced delight”, I don’t quite agree. Though the setting is pretty and the series definitely has some nice points, in my opinion, The Perfect Couple (2024) is much inferior to its neighbours on the bookshelf, like the amazing Big Little Lies (2017–2025), or the thrilling Sharp Objects (2018), or even the satire The White Lotus (2021–2025).

Source: IMDb

The director's decisions are generally nice — I adored the close ups and geometric montage that I love so much since Nine Days In One Year (1962) (not comparing, mentioning). The colouring is reminding us of Big Little Lies (2017-2025), although the plot isn’t as satisfying.

The sound and costume design are generally fine, although I’m definitely not a fan of Amelia's red dress or the theme song.

But other than that, I’d say this is a case of over-promising. The plot is not as twisting as the drum roll is loud. This looks even funny sometimes — the director’s cut is building up the intrigue, and then the script simply doesn’t live up to it, ruining any interest. Would I recommend it for a movie night? If you want to scroll on the phone in the meanwhile — yes, if you want something thrilling — the most thrilling part here would be Nicole Kidman's beautiful eyes. No goosebumps; forget about it. I’d say, this is ideal for a plane ride — it is roughly six hours, and you can definitely skip some parts without hesitating and craving to go back.

So yeah, you can watch it to be familiar with the book or to gaze at the beautiful coastline, but nothing more to it.

by Sophie She