Director Rian Johnson’s Knives Out movies have revived the long dormant rich family whodunit murder mystery in recent years, which by now should be categorized into its own subgenre. Netflix’s latest crime drama, The Perfect Couple, an adaptation of Elin Hilderbrand’s 2018 novel, follows a similar template. With a prolific filmmaker like Susanne Bier at the helm, a star-studded cast taking on a diverse set of characters, and a layered, suspenseful conspiracy to unfold, The Perfect Couple is a rather entertaining watch. The central murder mystery, as shown through the first episode titled “Happy Wedding Eve,” albeit conventional in nature, is dramatic enough to keep viewers hooked on the story, having them busy connecting the dots from the get-go.
Spoilers Ahead
Winbury Family, A Big Fat Wedding, And A Murder
Sunshine, surf and sprawling beaches—the series begins with a view of beautiful Nantucket Island, and the narrative focus shifts to the Winburys, one of the wealthiest families on the island, as they are shown hosting a luxurious wedding. Benji Winbury, second son of Greer and Tag Winbury, is about to tie the knot with his fiancée, Amelia, at their grand seaside estate, Summerland, and understandably the place is crawling with guests, friends, relatives, and close ones. Amidst them, viewers are introduced to the core family and relatives through their interaction and conversation with each other. Greer, a celebrated fiction writer who is famous enough to feature in “Times” and “People,” is the matriarch who takes care of every major and minor detail involving her family and loves her three sons, Thomas, Benji, and Will, to death. Tag is the quintessential cool, chill dad—who is supportive towards his wife, and his generational wealth is the foundation of the filthy rich status of the Winbury family. Isabel is Greer’s typical socialite friend, who is hinted to have a fling with Thomas. Thomas’ pregnant wife, Abby, doesn’t think highly of her husband and isn’t hesitant to share her disappointment with him in public. Viewers are also introduced to maid of honor, Merritt Monaco, a bumbling influencer who shares a strong bond with her best friend, Amelia, and Benji’s best friend/best man, a mild-mannered eyecatcher, Shooter Dival. There is a joyous, carefree vibe through the rehearsal wedding dinner—as dressed to the nines, everyone seems to be having a good time.
The celebrations and merriment of the wedding come to an abrupt halt, as on the morning of the wedding day, Merritt’s lifeless body is discovered on the shore. Local police Chief Dan Carter and the DA send Detective Nikki Henry, who is quick to reach the scene, and from the bodily wounds found on Merritt, she is suspected to have been murdered. As Carter and Henry start interrogating each of the core family members and relatives regarding the case, the truth about the family and the dirty little secrets all the happy faces were hiding comes out in the open. However, not all of their testimonies can be regarded as truth, as their perception and personal bias are obviously affecting the information they are providing. Initially, Abby, housemaid Gosia, wedding planner Roger Pelton, and Isabel—people who can offer a third-person perspective on the Winbury family—are questioned by the authorities. The central narrative often goes back and forth in time to share vital details regarding the family members and the relation they share with each other—like a classic whodunit mystery set up.
Economic Disparity, Scandals, and More
The media adores the longstanding, almost three-decade-long relationship between Greer and Tag, citing them as the ‘Perfect Couple,’ and keeping in sync with her image, Greer is overeager to pretend that she has raised just the model family, which perfectly suits the existing narrative—but the truth is far from it. Tag is having an affair behind her back, and despite being emotionally wrecked by the discovery, Greer chooses not to confront him about it. For her, the concept of her ideal family comes at first, and to keep up that façade, Greer is adamant to maintain the sophisticated, posh, and elegant superficial attributes that set the Winburys apart from those they consider beneath them. Despite pretending to love her would-be daughter in law, Amelia, Greer never really thought that she would fit in among them – given Amelia comes from a humble background. Amelia’s mother, Karen, is suffering from cancer, and with concerns regarding her health, Benji and Amelia had prearranged their marriage, much to Greer’s dismay. In a flashback scene, the first interaction between the Sacks and the Winburys is highlighted. Days before the wedding, Karen and Bruce (Amelia’s father) arrive at Summerland, and the subtle, jeering demeanor of the Winburys clearly highlights that not everyone is happy with the upcoming marriage. Greer, who has total control over her sons, has also mentioned her disliking of Amelia to Benji, but found that his feelings towards his fiancée are genuine enough to prompt him to stand up for her.
Thomas, Greer and Tag’s eldest son, is kind of a jerk and a failure, and doesn’t seem to have a good relationship with his brothers. Thomas also has a nasty habit of stealing others med pills for his own recreation purposes, as shown during a breakfast scene where he organizes a certain ‘Prescription Roulette’ by assembling all the stolen pills. Thomas’ bitterness stems from his father’s lack of attention and total disappointment in him. It is also revealed that upon his wife Abby’s command, Thomas had asked Tag to lend him some money to let him shift to a separate apartment, only to be rejected.
What is Amelia Hiding?
When it comes to Merritt, acquaintances of the Winburys seem to have a strong opinion regarding her apparently promiscuous nature. However, beneath her flamboyant demeanor, Merritt was a genuine friend of Amelia. The bride-to-be had shared her second thoughts about marriage just days before the wedding, and Merritt had expressed her full support for whatever decision she was willing to make. Will, the youngest Winbury son, had apparently started developing an infatuation for Merritt.
There is some secret hidden that doesn’t involve the Winburys as well. Amelia was indeed feeling a lack of love for Benji, and it is hinted that she might have shared a connection with Shooter. Karen had started avoiding some of her medications since staying in Summerland, for reasons still unknown. An oyster shucker is discovered from the vicinity of the crime scene, and Chief Carter’s teenage daughter, Chloe, is seen hiding a bloodstain on her catering costume—(she was part of the catering team at the wedding). The question regarding a possible suspect inevitably raises the topic of the motive, and the first episode shares a number of clues that highlight the dysfunctional family dynamics of the Winburys and personal issues involving almost all the major characters—without directly hinting at the motive, quite cautiously, that is. Amelia became shell-shocked right after discovering Merritt’s corpse by the sea, and during initial interrogation, she failed to answer any question asked by Carter and Henry. However, it is apparent that she is hiding something, which could shed some light on the possible reason and further connection Merritt might have with the Winburys or their associates.
