Netflix’s The Perfect Couple Is a Must-Watch for The White Lotus Fans

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Okay, so after watching all three seasons, I’m officially hooked on this show. It’s a brilliantly dark comedy that really skewers the world of the ultra-rich, and it’s all wrapped up in a compelling murder mystery. What’s so clever is how each season begins – you’re immediately thrown into the chaos, seeing the fallout from a deadly event, like a shooting or a murder, usually after a lavish trip to somewhere gorgeous like Italy or Thailand. Then, over the course of the season, we meet a new group of unbelievably wealthy characters on vacation, and we slowly piece together what happened leading up to that shocking climax. It’s a really addictive formula!

With the conclusion of “Rick and Chelsea,” viewers were left wanting more. Fortunately, Netflix delivers with “The Perfect Couple,” a new mystery miniseries featuring a stellar cast including Nicole Kidman, Dakota Fanning, Meghann Fahy (known from Season 2 of “The White Lotus”), Eve Hewson, Liev Schreiber, and Sam Nivola (who appeared in Season 3 of “The White Lotus”). While reviews for the series, based on the Elin Hilderbrand novel, were mixed, it’s a surprisingly compelling murder mystery from 2024 that deserves another look.

The Perfect Couple Has Plenty in Common With The White Lotus

Okay, so the new show’s poster is seriously intense – lots of blood, and it immediately tells you someone’s going to die, and we’re meant to try and figure out who did it. It all kicks off at a gorgeous, over-the-top wedding on Nantucket. Amelia, the bride, is marrying into a super wealthy family – Benji Winbury, whose mom, Greer, is a famous author played by Nicole Kidman. There’s already tension because Amelia didn’t come from money like the Winburys, and it’s clear Greer doesn’t really approve of her son marrying someone from a completely different background.

It’s immediately obvious that the Winburys live incredibly glamorous and dramatic lives, a stark contrast to the more ordinary existence of Amelia, Bruce, and Dendrie Sacks, even with Dendrie battling cancer. The story takes a fun, over-the-top turn, filled with coordinated dancing, playful rivalry, and obvious wealth as the couple prepares for their wedding. Amelia relies on her close friend and maid of honor, Meritt (Fahy), to navigate the craziness of the Winbury world.

Greer and her husband, Tag, have a troubled marriage complicated by Tag’s infidelity. Greer tries to maintain the appearance of a happy life, but it’s a struggle. Their son, Thomas, also has affairs, and his wife, Abby, who is expecting a baby, is emotionally unpredictable with those around her.

Shooter, Benji’s best man (played by Ishaan Khatter), has a strong connection with the future bride, who finds it hard to concentrate on her upcoming marriage. While this group appears to enjoy singing and dancing together, they’re all hiding things, and it’s difficult to know what anyone is really thinking.

Everything was perfect as my wedding day approached, but then a body washed up on the beach, and my world shattered. It was Meritt, my maid of honor and best friend – murdered. At first, everyone thought it was an accident, but it quickly became clear something terrible had happened. I was devastated to learn that Meritt and Tag had been secretly seeing each other. I immediately started working with the police, focusing my suspicions on the Winbury family, even though Greer cautioned me against it. I just couldn’t shake the feeling they were involved.

The Perfect Couple is a whirlwind of drama! It features a man on the run, stolen valuables, a character with ties to the criminal underworld, and plenty of over-the-top family conflicts. The show offers a bit of everything – a sharp look at the lives of the wealthy, complicated and unhealthy relationships, a captivating murder mystery, and a dark reason behind the killing that will keep you guessing until the very end.

The Mystery and Its Resolution Were Unexpected and Thrilling

Similar to The White Lotus, The Perfect Couple was a strangely captivating show. Though based on a book, the series took the story in a different direction, delivering a shocking finale and revealing a true killer responsible for Meritt’s death. While it received a 66% rating on Rotten Tomatoes and wasn’t universally praised, many now feel the show was unfairly criticized.

I was completely hooked by this show! The mystery of who killed Meritt was so cleverly done, with so many twists and turns – it kept me guessing right up until the end, especially with a big family wedding looming. What I really loved was how deeply the series explored everyone. It really dug into their imperfections, hidden secrets, and what they were all up to, making you suspect absolutely anyone. Honestly, at first, Tag seemed like the obvious culprit. The affair with Meritt, and then finding out she was pregnant… it felt like a disaster waiting to happen, and a clear motive for him.

Despite initial appearances, clever detective work suggests Tag isn’t the one responsible, launching the audience on a thrilling journey filled with hushed talks, clandestine calls, and clues hidden in fitness data. The story ultimately unravels a shocking truth about a wealthy family and a disastrous wedding, with a final reveal that’s truly captivating.

Okay, so everyone’s talking about the drama and wildness in The Perfect Couple, but honestly, what really stuck with me was how genuinely sad it was. I think people are overlooking how heartbreaking Meritt’s story is – she was just this young woman trying to figure things out, and falling in love. And the reason she ended up a victim? It just felt…unfair. She was completely up against the power and arrogance of these wealthy people, and there was no way she could win. It really got to me, and I wish more people were talking about that emotional impact.

The show tackles sensitive topics with a darkly funny, over-the-top style, often including murder. While the Netflix version is a bit less deep than the HBO one, both series share a similar spirit and are very entertaining.

The Perfect Couple Is Also Being Made Into an Anthology

What makes The Perfect Couple stand out is its leading actors, and they truly shine. She plays a writer haunted by her past, while Fanning is captivating as the seemingly carefree future sister-in-law. The story was initially planned as a limited series, which felt right. Spreading the novel’s plot across six episodes allowed the mystery to be fully resolved, making a continuation unnecessary.

Despite mixed reviews, the show has been popular with viewers and will return for a second season. Since the first season covered the entire book, future seasons will be presented as standalone stories, similar to The White Lotus, and will feature different novels by Elin Hilderbrand. Hilderbrand’s books are all set in the fictional world of Nantucket, where she lives, and are part of a larger series.

Season 2 of The Perfect Couple will be based on the novel Swan Song. The story introduces a new set of characters within the same world as the Winbury family. Swan Song follows a couple who buy an expensive home in Nantucket only to have it burn down shortly after. They also have to deal with a mysterious disappearance, as someone close to them goes missing. Although involved as a producer, the author likely won’t appear on screen in the show.

When The Perfect Couple premiered on Netflix in September 2024, it quickly became a hit, racking up 20.3 million views and 103.5 million hours of watch time in its first week. While critics weren’t blown away, the show’s intriguing mystery and strong acting kept viewers hooked. If you’re looking for something to watch now that it’s over, this is a great choice.

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2026-01-28 02:43