The Perfect Couple, featuring Nicole Kidman, has climbed to the top of the Netflix charts, securing its place as a must-watch series. While the show provides an entertaining experience, it stumbles in one significant aspect—an unexpected tonal shift that could have long-lasting effects.
Adapted from Elin Hilderbrand’s acclaimed novel, this new series revolves around an affluent Nantucket family preparing for an extravagant wedding. However, their plans take a dark turn when the rehearsal dinner ends in murder.
What unfolds is a narrative filled with deception, family secrets, and betrayal, with The Perfect Couple keeping audiences engaged until its shocking conclusion.
Interestingly, the show opens with a sequence that feels oddly mismatched considering its serious themes. It features the entire cast—including the murder victim—performing a synchronized dance to ‘Criminal’ by Meghan Trainor.
Every frame of The Perfect Couple opening credits is perfect. pic.twitter.com/o9O4ybcHnp
— Netflix (@netflix) September 5, 2024
The star-studded cast includes Kidman, Liev Schreiber, Eve Hewson, Meghann Fahy, and Isabelle Adjani, all of whom are seen dancing in a manner reminiscent of the Macarena—a vibe more suited for a youth-oriented romantic comedy.
Viewers have noted the peculiar opening on platforms like Reddit, expressing confusion about the creative choice. One comment read, “What was with the dance scene/introduction? It doesn’t seem to fit within the story.” Another viewer added, “It was entertaining in a mindless way, but the tone was ALL OVER THE PLACE.”
One theory proposed by a viewer speculated that the creators may have initially intended for a serious tone but shifted to a ‘self-aware camp’ approach midway through production. They suggested that if the series was always meant to have comedic elements, hints should have appeared from the start.
Despite mixed feelings from viewers, many fans have embraced the quirky introduction. One user on X/Twitter remarked, “The intro of The Perfect Couple is truly unskippable.” Another jokingly stated, “I’m never skipping this intro, so Netflix can stop asking me.” Yet another fan shared, “The Perfect Couple’s intro is so fun; it’s hard to skip it even though a murder happens in the series.”
As one Redditor pointed out, the opening sequence might be intentionally cheesy to signal that the storyline is meant to be a soapy, campy adaptation of a beach read.
This interpretation aligns with comments made by showrunner Susanne Bier, who explained to The Hollywood Reporter that while an original script included a moment where a dance becomes a nightmare, she ultimately sought to create a title sequence that conveyed the idea that audiences could enjoy the show. She added, “There’s something joyous in a lot of people dancing together, and showcasing these characters, who aren’t necessarily likable, in this moment seemed fitting.”
The cast, however, had reservations about the dance. Bier recounted, “Everyone except Liev Schreiber initially rejected the idea. Even when we were filming the rehearsal dinner, there was resistance.” She noted that Nicole Kidman felt constrained in her outfit. Despite these hesitations, Bier decided to push forward with the idea, and ultimately, the cast embraced it, completing the filming in just an hour and a half.
The Perfect Couple is currently streaming on Netflix, captivating audiences with its unique blend of intrigue and unexpected levity.
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