‘The Perfect Couple’ Review: Netflix’s Star-Studded Mystery Series

When adapting novelist Elin Hilderbrand’s best-selling novel “The Excellent Couple” for Netflix, sequence creator Jenna Lamia may have made it an intense homicide thriller, or leaned towards all of the scrumptious bits that make the story an irresistible seashore learn. Lamia selected the latter. “The Excellent Couple” follows Amelia Sacks (Eve Hewson), a zoologist who’s marrying into the rich and esteemed Winbury household. Sadly, when a physique is found on the Winbury property the morning after Amelia and Benji’s (Billy Howle) rehearsal dinner, the joyful event shortly turns into a homicide investigation. As clues are unearthed, long-held secrets and techniques concerning the Winburys come to gentle in probably the most absurd methods, making method for a pulpy, overdramatized and fully entertaining present. 

“The Excellent Couple” opens on Nantucket Island throughout a picturesque Fourth of July weekend. With the cameras rolling, the viewers is launched to the friends having fun with the pre-wedding festivities below an enormous tent within the Winburys’ beachfront yard. Whereas Amelia’s dad and mom and finest good friend/maid of honor, Merritt (Meghann Fahy), are in attendance, that is principally a Winbury affair.  

Amela’s fiancé, Benji, is considerate and sort, however his prosperous household is totally different. Benji’s older brother, Tom (Jack Reynor), is an blowhard bro barely stored in line by his conniving spouse, Abby (Dakota Fanning). In the meantime, Will (Sam Nivola), the youngest Winbury, is emotionally disturbed and haunted by the previous. Windbury patriarch Tag’s (Liev Schreiber) sole passions seem like rowing, {golfing} and smoking weed. And matriarch Greer (Nicole Kidman), an acclaimed novelist, guidelines her husband and sons with a seething calculation, and stands on the high of this home of playing cards. 

The rehearsal dinner seems glamorous and joyful, however issues take a dire flip within the early hours of the next day. Nantucket Chief of Police Dan Carter (Michael Seashore) receives a name {that a} floater has been discovered. Chief Carter, a Nantucket resident who is aware of that Winburys’ energy, initially makes an attempt to wrap the investigation up as swiftly as potential. But he should confront the reality when Det. Nikki Henry (Donna Lynne Champlin) is introduced in from the mainland to work on the case. Because the pair shortly uncover, there may be way more to the Winburys than their flawless facade. 

Kidman, Schreiber and Fanning, specifically, successfully painting profoundly damaged people who find themselves involved solely with appearances and sustaining their existence. The present’s pacing and timeline additionally preserve viewers engaged. As marriage ceremony friends are known as into the police station for questioning, the viewers learns about their interior ideas and preoccupations. Nevertheless, the sequence’ tone is nearly comical, as a result of the larger image turns into obviously obvious as every puzzle piece clicks collectively. From the soap-opera-esque dialogue to a tacky dance sequence involving the whole forged that opens every episode, there may be by no means a degree the place viewers can take “The Excellent Couple” critically. However for this reason it’s so fulfilling. 

Although Amelia adores Benji, it’s clear she’s deeply uncomfortable below the Winbury roof. Furthermore, whereas everybody else appears scared of Greer, Amelia will not be concerned about placing on airs. She pushes again in opposition to sure etiquette and desperately searches for solutions to all of the questions which have arisen for her. In Episode 3, “The Excellent Household,” a dinner descends right into a actuality TV-like affair when the bride-to-be boldly asks Greer about her use of NDAs and the cryptic disappearance of a household good friend. What’s uncovered are solutions nobody on the desk is able to confront. An analogous scene within the finale, “That Feels Higher,” results in extra jaw-dropping and fantastical revelations.  

Whereas it’s billed as a gripping investigation, “The Excellent Couple” examines appearances and what individuals are keen to do to uphold them. Regardless of the nonsensical narrative and its lack of precise depth, the sequence has sufficient magnetic star energy and conspicuous intrigue to make it a pleasant and extremely watchable expertise.

“The Excellent Couple” premieres on Netflix Sept. 5.