Next time I get invited to a rehearsal dinner at a beach wedding, I’ll expect everyone involved to dance in sync like the sub-thirty-second title sequence of The Perfect Couple. The whodunnit aspect carried the intrigue for me; while the murder mystery itself isn’t groundbreaking, I remained interested in how it would all resolve. You can also piece things together easily with the context clues provided and identify the obvious red herrings, which are gradually revealed through flashbacks across the six episodes. It features a rather large ensemble cast, led by the titular couple portrayed by Nicole Kidman and Liev Schreiber, with everyone being serviceable in their respective roles. There are a lot of players involved, including those investigating the case and those looked at as suspects. I thought they provided a sufficient amount of backstory; while I might not recall all their names, I at least understood the relationship dynamics involved. But what truly dampens the series is the writing and the mismatch of tones it tries to convey. At times, it feels like a melodrama, while at other times, it veers into a 'do not take this seriously' comedy, with both shifts being driven by jarring dialogue, the direction, and choices in its score. While I was unfamiliar with the source material, as it’s an adaptation of a 2018 novel, IndieWire published an article comparing its changes to the book. I have to say, the original ending is much better, at least thematically, than what was presented here. Bonus: Mount Rushmore of Doritos flavors 1. Nacho Cheese 2. Cool Ranch 3. Spicy Nacho 4. Spicy Sweet Chili (I honestly don't think I've tried any other flavors.) IndieWire article: https://www.indiewire.com/features/commentary/the-perfect-couple-netflix-book-changes-ending-1235044020/