‘The Perfect Couple’ Netflix Series Review - A Murderous Wedding Fiasco for the Wealthy and Ridiculous

Ah, "The Perfect Couple"—a title that’s not only misleading but makes you wonder who decided to label this bunch as anything close to perfect. Set against the idyllic backdrop of Nantucket, the series is essentially a whodunit coated in layers of rich, pretentious ridiculousness, with a plot that revolves around the dead body found on the beach during a wedding. Of course, this is no ordinary wedding—it's a bougie extravaganza where oysters flow like water, and family secrets are more abundant than the overpriced champagne.

The show tries to position itself as a mysterious, suspenseful drama where tension simmers beneath the surface. But the truth is, while there is a murder and a mystery to solve, "The Perfect Couple" is less Sherlock Holmes and more reality TV for the elite—think of it as a slightly dimmer cousin of The White Lotus, but with half the bite and a sprinkle of Big Little Lies. The characters are wealthy, beautiful, and, of course, so shallow you can practically hear the hollow thud when they speak.

Nicole Kidman leads the pack as Greer Garrison Winbury, a novelist whose elitism is only matched by the number of pearls she probably clutches throughout the series. She’s married to Tag (Liev Schreiber), a man whose defining character trait seems to be his perfect jawline and his apparent lack of purpose—except for having affairs. Their son Benji (Billy Howle) is the groom, marrying Amelia (Eve Hewson), a zoo worker whose bohemian vibes clash with the family's high society pretensions. Spoiler alert: this “perfect” wedding doesn't go as planned, but you already knew that from the first episode’s opening shot of a corpse on the sand.

The story bounces between flashbacks and present-day moments, revealing the absurd dramas these rich people engage in behind closed doors. Naturally, a local detective, Nikki Henry (Donna Lynne Champlin), is brought in to investigate, adding a sense of urgency—or at least attempting to. But while the investigation unravels, it becomes clear that many of these people deserve to be arrested for their sheer entitlement rather than any actual crimes. Watching this bunch scramble to cover up their dirty secrets is both amusing and frustrating.

There are a few moments where the show almost veers into being genuinely interesting. Eve Hewson shines as Amelia, the bride who finds herself neck-deep in family drama on her big day. Her performance manages to be the most grounded, and you do find yourself rooting for her—though, by the end, you’ll wonder why she didn’t just ditch the wedding and go back to the zoo. Dakota Fanning also has her moments as Abby, the groom’s pregnant sister-in-law who delivers the perfect balance of pouty, rich-girl attitude. However, other characters, like Meghann Fahy’s Merritt, are left frustratingly underutilized, and their presence feels like an afterthought in a show that could have used more dynamic personalities.

As for the mystery itself—sure, there are twists, but nothing that will leave you clutching your seat in shock. Most of the time, the show limps through its six episodes, giving viewers small breadcrumbs to chew on before arriving at a conclusion that might make you shrug more than gasp. The show changes a few things from the original Elin Hilderbrand novel, especially the killer’s motive, but the outcome is still far from riveting. The decision to alter the ending gives a slightly darker twist, but even that fails to land the punch it clearly aimed for.

And let’s talk about the show’s aesthetics. Yes, Nantucket is beautiful, the wardrobe is peak coastal chic, and the cinematography does a decent job of painting a picture of luxury. But luxury is a hard sell when you’re watching rich people whine about their problems for six episodes straight. It’s like attending a fancy wedding where someone forgot to bring the fun, and now everyone’s just stuck in awkward small talk, waiting for the cake. Sure, the wedding looks fabulous, but would you really want to stay until the end?

Ultimately, "The Perfect Couple" serves its purpose if all you're looking for is some light, bingeable content with pretty people in nice clothes dealing with scandalous affairs and murder. It's not going to make you think too hard, and it’s certainly not breaking any new ground in the genre. If you're a fan of shows where wealthy people act in absurd ways, this one might scratch that itch for a lazy weekend. But if you’re hoping for something that makes you feel the tension of a true thriller, you might be left wanting more.

In the end, “The Perfect Couple” is like that wedding you RSVPed to out of obligation—it looks nice, but you’ll probably forget about it once the night’s over. You’ll go for the free drinks and stay for the drama, but don’t expect to be talking about it at the water cooler on Monday.

Final Score- [5/10]
Reviewed by - Anjali Sharma
Follow @AnjaliS54769166 on Twitter
Publisher at Midgard Times