WARNING! This article contains SPOILERS for The Perfect Couple!I was happily surprised by how much I enjoyed watching Netflix’sThe Perfect Coupleshow, as myexpectations were set fairly low by the murder mystery’s 61% Rotten Tomatoes score. WithThe Perfect Couple’s all-star castincluding names like Nicole Kidman, Liev Schreiber, Dakota Fanning, and Meghann Fahy, I knew it wasn’t a show that I could pass up. I’m typically a bigger fan of the darker, more dramatic takes on this genre in the TV realm exemplified by HBO’sTrue Detective,Mare of Easttown, andSharp Objects, but I was hoping it might help scratch the satirical murder mystery itch aftershows likeThe White Lotus.
The Perfect Coupledidn’t dive into satirical elements in the same groundbreaking way asThe White Lotus, but certainly wasn’t as dark and brooding as HBO’s acclaimed crime genre fare. Ultimately, the show was quite ridiculous, with each seemingly dark and dramatic twist and turn being played in a different tone by each actor – most entertainingly inThe Perfect Couple’s ending and real killer reveal. Still, this seems to be the point.It’s a fun murder mystery that embellishes itself while dabbling in some darker themes and humorous dynamics, which should warrant a higher score than 61% on Rotten Tomatoes.
The Perfect Couple Is A Really Entertaining Murder Mystery Despite Its 61% Rotten Tomatoes Score
The Perfect Couple Is An Easy-To-Watch, Ridiculous Murder Mystery Dramedy
During Hurricane Francine in New Orleans, I was without power or Wi-Fi for a few days, so I made sure that I had a TV show downloaded before the storm hit me. I choseThe Perfect Couple, which was trending at number one on Netflix, but was something I likely wouldn’t have made the time to watch without the storm keeping me home. I hadn’t been impressed with Netflix’s recent slate of murder mystery shows, andThe Perfect Couple’s 61%Rotten Tomatoesscore suggested it wasn’t a must-watch. To my surprise, I watched the entire show in just two sittings.
69%
84%
The Perfect Couple
61%
If you go intoThe Perfect Couplewith the expectation that you won’t be getting a hard-hitting, emotional family murder mystery, then it’s a much more enjoyable viewing experience.The Perfect Couplekeeps audiences guessing by revealing that any one of the Winburys could have killed Merritt, and each of them had some motivation after hearing that she was pregnant with Tag’s baby.It’s effective at what it sets out to do: craft an intriguing murder mystery with a flawed, misguided, exaggeratedly ignorant wealthy family, with very few characters actually having redeeming qualities.
Of course,The Perfect Coupleis not a perfect murder mystery. There are some unnecessary twists that are simply utilized for red herrings, are easy to spot long before the truth is revealed, or create too many more mysteries than the show requires. For instance, I caught onto the fact that Broderick was related to Greer before it was confirmed that he was her brother. They’re two of the only British characters in the show (though Kidman’s accent is hard to pin down), Greer has no need to be involved with criminal activities in Turkey, and there weren’t any hints that she could be hiding an affair.
The Perfect Couple Review: Netflix’s Whodunit Has A Crucial Nicole Kidman Scene That’s Not To Be Missed
The Perfect Couple excels and leans into the typical murder mystery trappings while building an intriguing web of character connections.
Still,the ridiculousness of it all makes it more fun to see how the unfolding of the truth plays out with the charactersin the show. The reveal that Greer secretly had a brother all along is made to be a nonchalant disclosure that her sons hardly react to. This all leads to the arguably hilarious moment when Merritt’s real killer is finally revealed, and it turns out thatThomas’ pregnant wife Abbymurdered her because she needed access to the trust fund money soon – not in another 18 years with a husband she already doesn’t really like.
If the show is watched and appreciated under an unserious lens, its entertainment level and value skyrocket.
Dakota Fanning’s Abby screams when she’s being handcuffed and says she can’t go to jail because she’s pregnant, reiterating thatThe Perfect Coupleis not a TV show taking itself too seriously. From the lovable absurdity ofThe Perfect Couple’s opening credits dance sceneto the increasingly ridiculous twists, the show establishes what it’s trying to be very early on – even if the tone changes from scene to scene. It seems likeThe Perfect Coupleunfolded to become an unintentional comedy, so if the show is watched and appreciated under an unserious lens, its entertainment level and value skyrocket.
Why The Perfect Couple’s Reviews Are So Mixed
Critics Are Divided Over The Show’s Silliness & Effective Messaging
While a61% rating indicates a positive score on Rotten Tomatoes, it still falls into the range that suggests a mixed response from critics. Meanwhile,The Perfect Couple’s audience score is at 69% so far, which doesn’t fare much better. WhileThe Perfect Couple’s divisive reviewsvary in how effective the show is at executing its genre and numerous twists, I’m inclined to agree with the critics who recommend the show for not necessarily being a genius, thought-provoking narrative, but rather a fun source of entertainment with actors you like, genuinely captivating mysteries throughout all six episodes, and characters you love to hate.
10 TV Shows Like The Perfect Couple To Watch Next
The Perfect Couple is Netflix’s most recent murder mystery miniseries, and there are plenty of other streaming series like it to check out.
For some, the ridiculous absurdity and silliness ofThe Perfect Coupledidn’t work, especially when they expected a more grounded murder mystery. Really,The Perfect Coupleoperates more like a soap opera, with the acclaimed cast getting to ham it up as they play with the melodramatic tropes of the genre. Those who appreciate the show for all its absurdities are able to enjoyThe Perfect Couple, butthose looking for deeper commentaries on social classes and award-worthy performances aren’t going to be satisfied.
The Perfect Coupleis a limited series, so it is not expected to be renewed for season 2 on Netflix.
With only six episodes,The Perfect Coupledoes a great job of keeping audiences intrigued with its twists, regardless of how predictable some may be. What’s not as easily predictable is the real killer’s identity, and this is the truly compelling part of the show that will keep audiences pressing “Play Next Episode” on Netflix. MaybeThe Perfect Coupledoesn’t deserve a 100% Rotten Tomatoes score, butI’m surprised that reviews are still so mixed for a show that clearly revels in being an easy-to-watch, soapy, all-star cast-led whodunit dramedy. It’s a fun show to watch, and sometimes that’s enough.
Nicole Kidman Is Incredible In Silly Murder Mystery Shows
Nicole Kidman Showcases Her Range In The Perfect Couple & Big Little Lies
The Perfect Coupleis the perfect example of Nicole Kidman’s acting and genre range. She can effortlessly lead some of the best murder mystery dramas with dark, groundbreaking themes and character explorations, likeBig Little Lies, just as effectively as she leads silly whodunits likeThe Perfect Couple. Itseems as ifThe Perfect Coupleis Nicole Kidman’s way of leading her own goofy version ofThe White Lotus, truly making the case for the actress to join the hit HBO murder mystery satire in the future, which could brilliantly balance her darker dramatic genre outings and lighter ludicrous entries.
The value of her role in The Perfect Couple shouldn’t be undermined by comparisons to the acclaim of Kidman’sBig Little LiesorThe Undoing.
Just becauseThe Perfect Couplemight not be an Emmys contender doesn’t make it a Nicole Kidman performance that’s not worth watching. She excels in both, and the value of her role inThe Perfect Coupleshouldn’t be undermined by comparisons to the acclaim ofKidman’sBig Little LiesorThe Undoing. It looks like Kidman had a great time makingThe Perfect Couple, and that enthusiasm shines in her entertaining performance as the plot grows exponentially more absurd.
Cast
In the idyllic setting of Nantucket, a lavish wedding turns sinister when a body is discovered in the harbor just before the ceremony. As the investigation unfolds, every member of the wedding party becomes a suspect, unraveling secrets and lies. Starring Nicole Kidman, Liev Schreiber, and Dakota Fanning, the series promises intense drama and mystery.
