There’s one thing fascinating about watching the wealthy and highly effective reside their luxurious but dangerous lives. Exhibits like Massive Little Lies, The White Lotus and Succession mix humor and social commentary, including a enjoyable layer to their tales. Netflix’s latest collection, The Good Couple, is a part of this rising style.
The collection, based mostly on the guide by New York Occasions bestselling writer Elin Hilderbrand, stars Nicole Kidman and Liev Schreiber. It guarantees to be an exciting homicide thriller in six episodes, mixing suspense and drama. Whereas the collection begins off sturdy with an excellent tempo and well-developed characters, it falters in the direction of the top, with rushed plot factors that diminish the preliminary pressure.
Shawn Levy, who just lately labored on Deadpool and Wolverine, is the manager producer on the collection. Directed by Susanne Bier (The Undoing) and led by showrunner Jenna Lamia (Good Ladies), The Good Couple is a darkish comedy that mixes humor with darkish themes.
Set in Nantucket, the collection explores the lives of the rich, the place outdated cash and social standing are the whole lot. The story takes a darkish flip when a marriage visitor is discovered lifeless, resulting in a full-blown investigation. Everybody turns into a suspect, including many layers to the story, which stays gripping regardless of its weak conclusion.
What’s The Good Couple about?
The story follows Amelia Sacks (performed by Eve Hewson), a middle-class lady who’s engaged to Benji Winbury (Billy Howle), a member of the rich Winbury household. From the start, Amelia should cope with tensions together with her future mother-in-law, Greer Garrison Winbury (Nicole Kidman).
This energy wrestle turns into a significant level within the collection, with Amelia continually reminded that she will not be a part of their world. In contrast to the Winburys, Amelia doesn’t share their values, making her a menace to those that don’t care in regards to the penalties of their actions.
The Good Couple initially provides off a vibe much like The White Lotus. These wealthy, privileged characters are utterly disconnected from actuality. Like different reveals on this style, the Netflix collection attracts its appeal from portraying its out-of-touch characters and the extravagant particulars of their lives.
This can be a household uninterested in their wealth. One scene reveals patriarch Tag Winbury (Liev Schreiber) casually hitting golf balls into the ocean, unconcerned about whether or not they hit any seagulls. Of their giant seaside home, the household’s carefree angle is revealed by dancing and informal dialog, underscoring their privilege.
We additionally meet Benji’s siblings, Thomas (Jack Reynor) and Will (Sam Nivola). Whereas Will is heartbroken, Thomas is conceited and self-centered, married to the controlling Abby (Dakota Fanning).
Thomas publicly flirts with different ladies and complains about not being chosen as Benji’s finest man, shedding the function to Benji’s finest buddy, Shooter (Ishaan Khatter). This battle highlights the household’s sense of entitlement and the hidden dysfunction beneath their polished exterior.
To stability issues out, Amelia’s finest buddy Merritt (Meghann Fahy), a social media influencer, joins the marriage festivities. Regardless of her attention-seeking nature, Merritt stays loyal to Amelia.
The characters are launched early on, setting the tempo and tone. What begins as the marriage of the season turns right into a nightmare when a physique is discovered on the seaside. This units in movement a sequence of occasions that expose the household’s darkest secrets and techniques, resulting in a conclusion nobody may have predicted.
As secrets and techniques come to gentle and everybody falls beneath suspicion, tensions rise. These interactions add depth to the present, revealing extra in regards to the characters and their motivations, making The Good Couple much more suspenseful.
The forged of The Good Couple shines
As we get to know the Winbury household by Amelia, we see that their seemingly excellent world is stuffed with cracks. These characters are removed from excellent, and their interactions with Amelia, who serves as a voice of motive outdoors their bubble of privilege, make this clear.
Eve Hewson, finest recognized for The Knick and Dangerous Sisters, delivers a superb efficiency. Though not as well-known as her father, Bono, her portrayal of the decided and empathetic Amelia is hanging. She holds her personal subsequent to Kidman and elevates the collection to the next stage.
Nicole Kidman, recognized for her versatility, shines as Greer Garrison Winbury. Her efficiency is refined but highly effective, conveying a mixture of authority and emotion.
Greer is a protecting mom with many secrets and techniques, and Kidman’s efficiency retains the viewers on the sting of their seats. Liev Schreiber’s efficiency as Tag Winbury can be notable. His character is more durable to determine, however Schreiber portrays him as somebody simmering with hidden feelings.
The forged of The Good Couple is made up of each established actors and newcomers, which provides the present power and depth. Dakota Fanning, who performs Abby, steals each scene she seems in. Seeing her play a controlling but susceptible character provides an additional layer of leisure to the present.
Jack Reynor supplies comedian reduction because the privileged Thomas, with witty strains and humorous interactions. Meghann Fahy, recognized for The White Lotus Season 2, brings a well-known power to the function however provides extra depth, balancing pleasure and unhappiness in her portrayal of Merritt.
The ending of The Good Couple feels rushed
The six-episode collection maintains a gradual tempo, conserving viewers engaged and curious. Just like the guide, The Good Couple is straightforward to binge-watch. Every character has a duality that makes the collection extra interesting. Whereas the primary 5 episodes are sturdy, the ultimate episode feels rushed.
Including extra humor within the finale reduces the strain that has constructed up, thus diminishing the influence of the story.
The thriller is solved, however the ending feels abrupt. Some plot factors are left unresolved, which detracts from the present’s earlier appeal. Whereas the household’s secrets and techniques are revealed and the killer’s motives are clear, the tempo accelerates too rapidly within the remaining moments.
The emotional influence of the loss of life is heartbreaking, however not all questions are answered, particularly concerning the supporting characters and their relationships. This can be an try and be trustworthy to Hilderbrand’s novel, but it surely leaves room for Netflix to doubtlessly proceed the story, very like they did with Massive Little Lies.
Regardless of the rushed conclusion and adjustments in tone, The Good Couple manages to develop its characters, because of sturdy performances and intriguing suspense. The collection combines darkish comedy with drama, and retains viewers engaged till the top, even when the finale leaves some free ends.
