The Perfect Couple, a Netflix series based on Elin Hilderbrand’s 2018 novel, is a gripping story that centers around the death of Merritt Monaco.
Set against the backdrop of a luxurious wedding on Nantucket, the story unfolds with Merritt, the maid of honor and best friend of the bride, being found dead on the day of the wedding.
This shocking event triggers an intricate investigation where everyone present becomes a suspect, and each clue leads to more twists and turns.
The Start of the Mystery: Merritt’s Death Shocks the Wedding
The series opens with the grandeur of Benji Winbury and Amelia Sacks’s wedding. The picturesque setting on Nantucket is meant to be the perfect backdrop for a joyous celebration.
However, the day takes a dark turn when Merritt Monaco, who is central to the wedding as the maid of honor, is discovered dead. The circumstances of her death are immediately suspicious, setting the stage for a complex investigation.
Merritt’s death is not just a tragic event but a catalyst that sets the entire plot in motion. Her role as the maid of honor, coupled with her close relationship with the bride, Amelia, makes her death even more shocking.
The investigation quickly reveals that Merritt’s death has far-reaching implications for everyone involved.
The initial discovery of Merritt’s body is both dramatic and mysterious. Her death casts a shadow over the wedding festivities, and the sense of dread among the guests becomes palpable.
Still from The Perfect Couple (Credit: Apple TV+)
As the investigation gets underway, Chief Dan Carter and Detective Nikki Henry are tasked with solving the case.
Their job is complicated by the fact that every guest at the wedding seems to have a motive, searching for the killer a challenging and multifaceted endeavour.
A Growing List of Suspects: Uncovering Motives
As the investigation proceeds, the list of suspects expands. Each guest is scrutinized, and their possible motives are shown in-depth. Episode 2, titled “She Would Never Do That,” is pivotal as it introduces significant new information.
This episode reveals that Merritt had an affair with Tag Winbury, who is Benji’s father. This affair had resulted in Merritt becoming pregnant, which adds a layer of complexity to the investigation.
The affair between Merritt and Tag Winbury is a crucial development. Merritt had confided in Amelia about the affair and her pregnancy, which creates a motive for various members of the Winbury family to want Merritt out of the picture.
The series goes into the background of each suspect, revealing their potential reasons for wanting Merritt dead. This approach keeps viewers engaged, as each new revelation shifts suspicion from one character to another.
The complexity of the relationships and the web of deceit surrounding Merritt’s death make it clear that nearly everyone at the wedding could have had a reason to harm her.
The investigation uncovers various layers of betrayal, jealousy, and hidden agendas. Each episode peels back another layer, adding depth to the mystery and keeping the audience guessing about who the real culprit might be.
Greer Garrison Winbury: A New Lead Emerges
The investigation takes a dramatic turn in Episode 6, “That Feels Better,” when Greer Garrison Winbury, the family matriarch, is arrested. This occurs after her connections to a shady character named Broderick Graham come to light. Broderick is linked to the Turkish mafia and has been trying to reach Greer for some time.
Still from The Perfect Couple (Credit: Apple TV+)
The discovery of a $300,000 transfer from Benji’s best friend, Shooter Dival, to Broderick raises suspicions that Greer may have been involved in a conspiracy to have Merritt killed.
Initially, the evidence suggests that Greer might be involved in Merritt’s murder. The large sum of money and Broderick’s criminal connections create a plausible motive. However, the investigation takes another twist when it is revealed that Broderick is actually Greer’s brother.
The money was not meant for a murder but was a loan to help Broderick settle his debts with the Turkish mafia. This new information shifts the focus of the investigation to Thomas Winbury, Benji’s older brother, who becomes the next prime suspect.
Greer’s arrest and subsequent exoneration add to the complexity of the case. The series does a masterful job of building suspense and misdirecting the audience. Each new development in the investigation opens up new possibilities and shifts the focus of suspicion, making it clear that the true culprit is still at large.
Thomas Winbury: Pills, Alibis, and Suspicions
With Greer cleared of suspicion, attention turns to Thomas Winbury. The investigation uncovers that barbiturates were found in Merritt’s blood, leading to a search of Karen Sacks’s pill organizer, where a pill is missing.
Benji reveals that Thomas has a habit of stealing pills for a game he calls “prescription roulette,” which raises concerns about whether Thomas might have tampered with Merritt’s drink.
Thomas admits to stealing pills but denies any involvement in Merritt’s death. He also reveals that Isabel Nallet, a family friend and his lover, had tried to scare Merritt into aborting her baby.
Isabel had loaned Thomas a significant amount of money, which would only be repaid when a trust fund was released. If Merritt’s baby was born, the release of the trust fund would be delayed, providing Isabel with a motive.
The investigation into Thomas’s actions and relationships reveals a tangled web of deceit. Despite his admissions and the circumstantial evidence against him, Thomas maintains his innocence.
The series does an excellent job of portraying Thomas as a flawed character who may have had motives but is ultimately not the killer. The tension builds as the investigation continues, with each new clue adding to the complexity of the case.
Abby Winbury: Lies, Deceit, and the True Culprit
As the investigation narrows down, Detective Henry focuses on Abby Winbury, Thomas’s pregnant wife. Discrepancies in Abby’s statements come to light, particularly regarding Thomas’s whereabouts on the night of Merritt’s death.
Gosia, the family housekeeper, reveals that Thomas did not sleep in his bed, contradicting Abby’s claim. Additionally, Gosia mentions Abby’s request to wash a glass with hot water the morning after the murder.
Henry recalls seeing Abby handling a glass nervously, which could have contained the barbiturate used to kill Merritt. The investigation uncovers that Abby was involved in Merritt’s murder. Her motives are driven by financial desperation and personal grievances.
Abby had been pressuring Thomas to secure a loan for an apartment and was aware of his affair with Isabel. With her options exhausted and the trust fund money threatened by Merritt’s pregnancy, Abby saw killing Merritt as a solution to her problems.
Abby’s involvement is a significant twist in the series. The revelation of her deceit and manipulation adds a new layer of drama to the story.
Still from The Perfect Couple (Credit: Apple TV+)
Her actions and motivations are shown in depth, providing a comprehensive understanding of why she resorted to such drastic measures. The series effectively builds suspense and delivers a shocking conclusion as Abby’s true role in Merritt’s death is revealed.
The Final Revelation: Abby’s Crime Revealed
In a dramatic flashback, the series reveals the moments leading up to Merritt’s death. Abby, frustrated by Thomas’s failure to complete the task she had set for him, decides to take matters into her own hands. She mixes pills from Thomas’s stash into a drink and offers it to Merritt.
Once Merritt consumes the drug-laced drink, Abby takes her for a swim and drowns her by pushing her head underwater. The drugs impair Merritt’s ability to resist, allowing Abby to carry out her plan successfully.
The final revelation of Abby’s crime is both shocking and satisfying. The series masterfully ties together all the threads of the investigation, providing a clear explanation for Merritt’s death.
Abby’s actions are driven by a combination of financial desperation and personal resentment, making her a compelling and complex antagonist.
The Series Conclusion: Tying Up Loose Ends
The series concludes by addressing the remaining storylines. Greer and Tag’s relationship appears to end, and Benji and Amelia part ways, closing the door on their romance. Isabel confronts Thomas after he attempts to frame her for Merritt’s murder.
The narrative then jumps six months ahead to London, where Greer visits Amelia at her job at the zoo. Greer presents Amelia with a book she wrote about her and expresses a desire to form a friendship, signaling personal growth and acceptance of her past.
This conclusion provides closure to the various storylines and offers a sense of resolution. The characters’ journeys are brought to a satisfying end, and the final scenes highlight the themes of reconciliation and personal growth.
The series wraps up with a message of redemption and acceptance, leaving viewers with a sense of closure and understanding.
Final Thoughts and Streaming Availability
The Perfect Couple is available for streaming on Netflix in the U.S. The series offers a detailed show of mystery and intrigue, with complex characters and unexpected twists.
The story keeps viewers engaged with its intricate plot and suspenseful narrative, making it a compelling watch for fans of mystery dramas.
Still from The Perfect Couple (Credit: Apple TV+)
The series excels in creating a suspenseful atmosphere and delivering a satisfying conclusion. By focusing on the detailed aspects of each character and the development of the plot, The Perfect Couple provides a comprehensive and engaging viewing experience.
The intricate twists and character dynamics are thoroughly shown, ensuring that the audience is kept on the edge of their seats throughout the series.
Director Susanne Bier, who comes from Denmark, is known for her exceptional films and TV shows. She consistently delivers exciting projects.
She won an Academy Award for the 2010 Danish film In a Better World and has worked on thrillers like The Night Manager in 2016 and the hit film Bird Box in 2018.
Due to her impressive work on these projects, she became the first female director to win an Oscar, a Golden Globe, an Emmy, and a European Film Award. Bier has also worked with many talented actors, including the cast of the 2022 Showtime series The First Lady.
Bier’s newest project is the Netflix series The Perfect Couple, which was released on September 5. The series features Nicole Kidman, and this is not the first time Bier has worked with her.
The director previously collaborated with Kidman on the 2020 HBO psychological drama The Undoing. This project earned Bier a Director’s Guild nomination and added to her impressive resume. If you’ve just finished The Perfect Couple, The Undoing should be your next binge.
‘The Undoing’ Is a Gripping Suspenseful Drama
The six-episode drama centers on Grace Fraser (Kidman), whose seemingly perfect life falls apart when her husband, Jonathan (played by Hugh Grant), is suspected of murder.
Grace appears to have it all: a successful career as a psychologist, a husband who is an oncologist, a luxurious New York City apartment, and a son attending an elite school. Despite their apparent wealth, they seem out-of-touch and superficial.
In the first episode, Grace encounters a mysterious woman named Elena (Matilda De Angelis) several times. The next day, Elena is found murdered in her studio, and her young son, who goes to the same school as Grace’s son, discovers the body.
Jonathan is considered a suspect because of his affair with Elena, and Grace’s life quickly begins to fall apart. She starts taking long walks at night and has visions of Elena and what happened to her.
As the story progresses, more details about Elena’s murder come to light. Is it possible that Jonathan, who has devoted his life to helping people, could be the killer? Grace is also acting strangely, but is it due to knowing something about the murder or her life falling apart?
Kidman portrays Grace as a woman trying hard to stay calm on the outside while experiencing intense panic inside. The most intense scenes occur during Jonathan’s trial.
His lawyer, Haley Fitzgerald (Noma Dumezweni), delivers standout performances, and the tension builds with each episode as the mystery deepens. The truth about Elena’s death is not revealed until the final episode.
Susanne Bier Crafts a Riveting Drama With ‘The Undoing’
The entire cast is excellent, including the late Donald Sutherland as Grace’s father. Although Kidman is outstanding, Grant’s role shines brightly. His character is both charming and deceitful, making it hard to determine if he’s truthful.
Still from The Undoing (Credit: HBO)
Grace and Jonathan’s son, Henry (Noah Jupe), also adds intrigue with his own secrets. Bier’s direction gives the series lasting appeal. The show is a gripping psychological study with attractive visuals, especially during Grace’s night walks.
The cinematography enhances the story, creating a mysterious and magnetic city setting that is both magical and dark. The locations and mood are crucial to the scenes, whether Grace is at a formal party or escaping to her brownstone. Even at their beach house, an unsettling feeling persists, making it clear that danger is always near.
Bier skillfully portrays intense emotions throughout the series. Despite the characters trying to maintain composure, the scenes are filled with anger, sadness, and betrayal. While the characters may not be relatable, their emotions are.
Bier balances these emotions with the story’s action. She aimed to create a thrilling experience while developing the characters. In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Bier said, “I felt that making it more of a thriller would allow for the character stories but would give the characters a very clear direction.” Her approach resulted in a perfect blend of compelling characters and an engaging mystery.
When The Undoing aired in 2020, it quickly gained attention for its quality. Discussions about Kidman’s stunning wardrobe and the show’s twists spread on social media. It was compared to David E. Kelley’s Big Little Lies, another HBO series starring Kidman.
However, The Undoing became the first HBO show to gain viewers every week throughout its season and was the network’s most-watched show of the year. It also established Bier as the director for portraying wealthy individuals facing the consequences of their secrets, similar to her future project The Perfect Couple.
Although there’s no news on Bier’s next project (she will only be an executive producer for The Night Manager’s second season), The Undoing showcases her talents in a thrilling psychological drama.
Director Susanne Bier, renowned for her impactful films and TV shows, has delivered another gripping drama with The Undoing. This six-episode HBO series, starring Nicole Kidman and Hugh Grant, revolves around Grace Fraser, whose perfect life unravels when her husband is accused of murder.
Still from The Undoing (Credit: HBO)
Grace’s encounters with a mysterious woman and her subsequent murder set off a tense investigation, leading to revelations that question everyone’s innocence. Kidman portrays Grace as a woman struggling to maintain calm amid her personal chaos.
The show is noted for its intense emotional depth, attractive cinematography, and complex characters. Bier’s direction masterfully blends psychological tension with rich storytelling, making The Undoing a standout series.
The show received acclaim for its suspenseful plot and strong performances, and it remains a highlight of Bier’s career, reinforcing her reputation as a leading director in dramatic storytelling.
All episodes of The Undoing are available to stream on Max in the U.S.
