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The Perfect Couple (TV series)

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The Perfect Couple
Promotional release poster
Genre
Based onThe Perfect Couple
by Elin Hilderbrand
Developed byJenna Lamia
Showrunner
  • Jenna Lamia
Directed bySusanne Bier
Starring
Music byRupert Gregson-Williams
Opening theme"Criminals" by Meghan Trainor[1]
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
No. of episodes6
Production
Executive producers
  • Susanne Bier
  • Jenna Lamia
  • Shawn Levy
  • Josh Barry
  • Gail Berman
  • Hend Baghdady
  • Elin Hilderbrand
  • Nicole Kidman
  • Per Saari
ProducerJohn Starke
Cinematography
Editors
  • Sam Williams
  • Morten Højbjerg
Running time42–63 minutes
Production companies
Original release
NetworkNetflix
ReleaseSeptember 5, 2024 (2024-09-05)

The Perfect Couple is an American mystery drama miniseries starring an ensemble cast, including Nicole Kidman, Liev Schreiber, Eve Hewson, and Dakota Fanning.[2] It is an adaptation of the 2018 novel of the same name by Elin Hilderbrand, and is about a murder that takes place during a lavish wedding.

The series premiered on September 5, 2024, on Netflix to mixed reviews from critics.[3][4]

Synopsis

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Amelia is about to marry into one of the wealthiest families on Nantucket until a shocking death derails the wedding—and turns everyone into a suspect.[5]

Cast and characters

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Main

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Recurring

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  • Isabelle Adjani as Isabel Nallet, a family friend of the Winburys[6]
  • Tim Bagley as Roger Pelton, Amelia and Benji's wedding planner
  • Adina Porter as Enid Collins, Greer's editor
  • Irina Dubova as Gosia, the Winbury family's housekeeper
  • Dendrie Taylor as Karen Sacks, Amelia's mother
  • Michael McGrady as Bruce Sacks, Amelia's father
  • Nick Searcy as Deputy Carl
  • Thomas Flanagan as Broderick Graham, Greer's brother

Episodes

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No.TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal release date
1"Happy Wedding Eve"Susanne BierJenna LamiaSeptember 5, 2024 (2024-09-05)
Greer Winbury is a rich author with three children and a seemingly perfect marriage. It is the day of the rehearsal dinner of her son Benji, who is going to marry Amelia. The wedding is supposed to take place at the Winbury family's Summerland mansion, where the rehearsal dinner is also being hosted. It is revealed that there has been a murder and the local police are investigating. Amelia has invited her best friend Merritt to the wedding as her maid of honor who arrives with Shooter, the best man and the groom's best friend. Amelia observes Merritt and Shooter being playful together and looks at Shooter longingly. She also reveals to her best friend Merritt that she does not feel addicted to Benji as a woman who is about to be married should. Meanwhile, Greer reveals to Benji that she is not fond of Amelia and that she is unsure if Amelia really loves Benji. Benji stands up to his mother to fight for Amelia. It is revealed that Merritt is the murder victim. Amelia is the first to find Merritt's body on the beach and goes into shock upon realizing she is dead.
2"She Would Never Do That"Susanne BierJenna Lamia and Bryan M. HoldmanSeptember 5, 2024 (2024-09-05)
As the investigation into Merritt's death begins, Shooter tries to leave the island but is apprehended by the police. Abby also desires to leave but is prevented by Thomas. Meanwhile, to protect her family and her career, Greer wants to release a statement claiming the death was a suicide, which Amelia reluctantly agrees with. Flashbacks reveal that Amelia learned about Merritt's affair with Tag (which had resulted in a pregnancy) shortly before Merritt's death, which she later admits to the police. Greer had also deduced that Merritt was Tag's mistress from her expensive bracelet.
3"The Perfect Family"Susanne BierJenna Lamia and Leila CohanSeptember 5, 2024 (2024-09-05)
Amelia speculates to the police that Merritt must have really loved Tag for her to carry on an affair. Later that night, Greer catches Amelia looking in Tag's office. Greer tries to keep up appearances for a People magazine interview. Will sneaks off to visit Chloe; flashbacks reveal that the two had snuck off during the rehearsal and that Will had injured his hand. Abby advises Amelia to stay out of Greer's crosshairs and tells her about Mae Pratt, a tutor of Will's who disappeared; Benji dodges the questioning when Amelia asks him about it. Tag acts romantic during the interview to Greer's frustration. Carter and Henry find a voice message from Benji on Merritt's phone. Henry tells Carter that the family's money is mostly tied up in trust and Greer's book sales finance most things. After Shooter is released from police custody, Amelia observes him assuring Greer of the money. At dinner Amelia demands to know what happened to Mae. Thomas reveals that Mae attempted to commit suicide after Tag broke off their affair and Tag and Greer pressured her into settling. Henry learns that Will's prints were on the oyster knife and his blood was found on the sand along with Merritt's. Will takes off on a boat in the stormy night; in the search Amelia finds Merritt's bracelet.
4"Someone Could Get Hurt"Susanne BierJenna Lamia and Courtney Grace & Evelyn YvesSeptember 5, 2024 (2024-09-05)
The coast guard picks Will up and he is questioned by Carter. He admits that he had learned of Merritt and Tag's affair and picked up the bracelet later that night; he had also cut his hand shucking oysters. Flashbacks reveal that Amelia and Shooter properly met after spending a few hours at an empty Summerland alone. Abby fields a call from Broderick Graham, which Greer ignores. Amelia confronts Benji about photographs of Merritt he had hidden and of his knowledge of the affair. Benji and Thomas get into an altercation over the wedding cake. Tag and Greer sleep together, after which she turns in the bracelet receipt to the police. Amelia and Shooter kiss but Benji catches them.
5"Never Gonna Give You Up"Susanne BierJenna Lamia and Alex BergerSeptember 5, 2024 (2024-09-05)
The family attend Greer's book launch; Abby and Isabel comfort Amelia. Tag insists to the police that he was not responsible for Merritt's death nor does he know who did, and that his smartwatch proves he was in bed at 2:30 a.m., hours before the barbiturates could have entered her system. Flashbacks show that shortly before Merritt's death, she and Tag had an argument in the water about terminating the pregnancy. Isabel also says she spoke with Amelia after her argument with Tag. Amelia has sex with a drunk Benji in the kitchen, which she later admits to Shooter. An intoxicated Tag gets onstage at the book launch and rants about his marriage. At the station, Henry realizes that Greer was phoning Broderick Graham, a European criminal, around three o'clock in the morning, and that Shooter had paid Graham $300,000.
6"That Feels Better"Susanne BierJenna LamiaSeptember 5, 2024 (2024-09-05)
As Greer and her team ponder how to spin the launch incident and reporters swarm Summerland, the police take her in for questioning, theorizing that she hired Broderick to kill Merritt and had Shooter—who has diplomatic immunity—pay for the hit. Abby confronts Thomas about his relationship with Isabel and Amelia calls Shooter to apologize for her uncertainty. Greer confesses that Broderick is her brother and the money was to cover his debts. She admits Broderick's existence and that she was an escort when she met Tag to her family and agent. Amelia's mother had brought pentobarbital pills, but one pill is missing. Thomas stole the pill and initially planned to spook Merritt into aborting the baby, as the sons' access to the family trust would be delayed by 18 years if Tag sires another child. Isabel produces video evidence that she and Thomas were together at the time of the death, which contradicts Abby's testimony that Thomas was in bed. Abby is revealed to have killed Merritt and is arrested for her crime while the family recover and Amelia and Benji break off their engagement and go their separate ways. Months later, Greer finds Amelia in London and presents her with the manuscript of her new book and the two agree to meet up sometime.

Production

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Development

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An adaptation of The Perfect Couple was in the works at Fox Entertainment in 2019.[7]

Jenna Lamia was announced to be adapting the book for the project in December 2019.[8]

Lamia was revealed to be serving as showrunner and Susanne Bier as director for the adaptation which was greenlit as a six-part series by Netflix in August 2022. Lamia, Bier and the book's author Elin Hilderbrand served as executive producers along with Nicole Kidman and Per Saari for Blossom Films, Shawn Levy and Josh Barry of 21 Laps Entertainment, and Gail Berman and Hend Baghdady for The Jackal Group.[3][9]

Changes from the novel include changing the bride's name from Celeste Otis to Amelia Sacks.[10] Lamia later disclosed that adjustments were made to the series specifically to steer clear of any parallels with Big Little Lies.[11] These changes were made after Kidman joined the project.[12] One significant change was altering the show's ending, making it different from how the murder mystery concluded in the novel.[13][14]

Bier revealed that she declined the opportunity to direct season 2 of The Night Manager to direct the series.[15]

Casting

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In March 2023, reports surfaced that Nicole Kidman, Liev Schreiber, Dakota Fanning, and several other potential cast members were set to star in the series.[16][17] Later, Kidman, Schreiber, and Fanning were confirmed, along with Eve Hewson and Billy Howle joining the cast.[2] The remaining cast included Ishaan Khattar, Jack Reynor, Sam Nivola, Mia Isaac, Donna Lynne Champlin, and Isabelle Adjani.[6]

Filming

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Principal photography was scheduled from April to June 2023 in Massachusetts with filming locations including Chatham, Eastward Point, Harwich, and around Cape Cod.[18][19][20] Filming in Nantucket and Chatham was picketed in September 2023 by striking members of the SAG-AFTRA unions.[21]

After the cast returned to set following an eight-month hiatus due to the 2023 WGA strike and 2023 SAG-AFTRA strike, Susanne Bier proposed a flashmob-style dance sequence for the opening credits. The cast initially rejected the idea. Charm La'Donna choreographed the dance sequence.[22]

Release

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The series was released on September 5, 2024, on Netflix.[4]

Reception

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Critical response

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The review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes reported a 63% approval rating with an average rating of 6.2/10, based on 60 critic reviews. The website's critics consensus reads, "Predictability keeps The Perfect Couple far from being perfect, but intriguing performances and attractive vistas keep this seaside murder mystery highly watchable."[23] Metacritic, which uses a weighted average, assigned a score of 68 out of 100 based on 25 critics, indicating "generally favorable reviews".[24]

Lucy Mangan of The Guardian praised the series for its well-crafted plot, noting that the twists and reveals are perfectly timed, making it hard to stop watching after starting. She highlighted Donna Lynne Champlin's portrayal of detective Nikki Henry, calling her "the star of the show."[25] Nick Hilton of The Independent criticized the series for its fast pace and lack of depth, noting that the hurried storytelling makes the non-linear timeline feel disjointed. He drew comparisons to Big Little Lies, stating that the series lacks the tension and intrigue of that drama, leaving viewers with a portrayal of flawed lives that feels equally flawed and unfulfilled.[26] Dan Einav from the Financial Times noted that the series feels predictable, often compared to Big Little Lies and The White Lotus, but it falls short on emotional depth and sharp wit. Despite its familiar take on themes like privilege and family dynamics, along with a somewhat exaggerated plot and characters, the strong performances and direction make it an entertaining summer show.[27]

Tania Hussain of Collider observed that the series effectively blended dark comedy and suspense, creating a gripping, unpredictable narrative. Nicole Kidman and Eve Hewson gave nuanced performances, while sharp social commentary and stunning visuals enhanced the themes of privilege and power. However, the rushed ending leaves some plotlines unresolved, slightly diminishing the overall impact.[28] Saloni Gajjar of A.V. Club noted that despite a talented cast and beautiful setting, the series falls flat, weighed down by clichés and lacking depth. Although Nicole Kidman was expected to deliver a standout performance, the show was underwhelmed, with no performances truly standing out. Jack Reynor and Dakota Fanning appeared to enjoy their roles, but overall, it felt like the cast prioritized a luxurious Nantucket getaway, resulting in a confusing final product, similar to some of Kidman's recent TV projects.[29]

Kristen Baldwin of Entertainment Weekly noted that the show relied heavily on the absurd trope of characters casually making quips and coy remarks during police interrogations. However, the series signaled that neither it nor its characters should be taken too seriously.[30] Benji Wilson of The Telegraph described the series as "top-notch trash," delivering a satisfying, addictive experience in almost every scene. He compared it to Big Little Lies set on the East Coast, The White Lotus with a Count of Monte Cristo twist in Nantucket, and And Then There Were None with private jets.[31] Aramide Tinubu of Variety observed that despite a nonsensical plot and limited depth, the series remained enjoyable and highly watchable, thanks to its magnetic star power and intriguing elements.[32]

Kayleigh Donaldson of The Wrap agreed with other critics about the series' similarity to Nicole Kidman's previous work but found it to be a highly bingeable show poised for social media buzz. She also noted Kidman's winning TV formula, where she consistently portrayed privileged women in domestic peril, creating a distinct genre that she stuck to in each new glossy miniseries.[33] In a more critical review, Ben Travers of IndieWire criticized the series for its lack of care and effort, evident in both the opening titles and the episodes. He noted that the show relied on star power, expecting viewers to like the characters simply because they're played by celebrities, rather than acknowledging their flaws despite their glamorous lives. Travers suggested that the show "is made to look like a good time — and maybe it can be, if you bring your own party — but there's even less here than meets the eye".[34]

Angie Han of The Hollywood Reporter criticized the series for struggling to find its own voice, often resembling other shows. While she praised Dakota Fanning's performance, noting her portrayal of Abby as both terrifying and hilarious, she felt the character lacked depth and disconnected from the rest of the cast, especially Nicole Kidman.[35] Cristina Escobar of RogerEbert.com suggested that viewers weigh their fondness for Nicole Kidman before committing to six hours with these unpleasant characters, pointing out that there may be better viewing choices available.[36]

Audience viewership

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During the September 2–8 viewing window, the series became Netflix's top series, garnering 20.3 million views within its first four days.[37] It maintained its #1 position and amassed 21.9 million views the following week (September 9–15).[38][39]

Future

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Although the finale resolved the murder mystery, Kidman believes there's still more to explore with Greer and Tag's story in a potential future season.[40]

References

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  1. ^ O'Connell, Mikey (September 6, 2024). "How the 'Perfect Couple' Director Talked Her Mutinous Cast Into That Choreographed Dance". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved September 8, 2024.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h Grobar, Matt (March 23, 2023). "Nicole Kidman, Liev Schreiber, Meghann Fahy, Dakota Fanning, Eve Hewson & Jack Reynor In Talks For Susanne Bier-Helmed Netflix Limited Series 'The Perfect Couple'". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on March 23, 2023. Retrieved March 23, 2023.
  3. ^ a b Otterson, Joe (August 25, 2022). "Netflix Orders Limited Series Adaptation 'Perfect Couple' From 21 Laps, Jackal Group". Variety. Archived from the original on August 25, 2022. Retrieved April 2, 2023.
  4. ^ a b Petski, Denise (July 11, 2024). "The Perfect Couple Trailer: Nicole Kidman Among The Suspects In Netflix Murder Mystery Series; Premiere Date Set". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on July 11, 2024. Retrieved July 11, 2024.
  5. ^ "The Perfect Couple". www.reco-bee.com. Retrieved September 17, 2024.
  6. ^ a b c d e f g Gomez, Dessi (March 31, 2023). "Nicole Kidman and Liev Schreiber to Lead Netflix Limited Series 'The Perfect Couple'". TheWrap. Archived from the original on March 31, 2023. Retrieved March 31, 2023.
  7. ^ Petski, Denise (September 3, 2019). "The Perfect Couple' Drama Based On Elin Hilderbrand Book In The Works At Fox From SideCar". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on September 3, 2019. Retrieved April 2, 2023.
  8. ^ Petski, Denise (December 11, 2019). "Jenna Lamia To Pen 'The Perfect Couple' Adaptation Based On Elin Hilderbrand Book In The Works At Fox". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on December 11, 2019. Retrieved April 2, 2023.
  9. ^ Cordero, Rosy (August 25, 2022). "Elin Hilderbrand Novel 'The Perfect Couple' Being Adapted Into Limited Series By 21 Laps At Netflix; Jenna Lamia Set As Showrunner & EP". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on August 25, 2022. Retrieved April 2, 2023.
  10. ^ Gularte, Alejandra (April 1, 2023). "Nicole Kidman and Eve Hewson Make The Perfect Couple". Vulture. Archived from the original on April 1, 2023. Retrieved April 2, 2023.
  11. ^ Levine, Daniel S. (September 5, 2024). "Nicole Kidman's New Netflix Series The Perfect Couple Changed a Lead Character's Name to Avoid Big Little Lies Comparisons". People. Archived from the original on September 5, 2024. Retrieved September 6, 2024.
  12. ^ Chuba, Kirsten (September 5, 2024). "'The Perfect Couple' Changed Lead Character's Name to Avoid 'Big Little Lies' Similarities After Nicole Kidman Signed On". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on September 5, 2024. Retrieved September 6, 2024.
  13. ^ Strecker, Erin (September 6, 2024). "'The Perfect Couple': What Changed from the Book". IndieWire. Archived from the original on September 6, 2024. Retrieved September 10, 2024.
  14. ^ Seo, Rachel (September 9, 2024). "'The Perfect Couple' Ending Explained: How the Netflix Series Changed the Book's Killer Finale". Variety. Archived from the original on September 9, 2024. Retrieved September 10, 2024.
  15. ^ Yossman, K.J. (September 5, 2024). "'The Perfect Couple' Director Susanne Bier on Working With Nicole Kidman and Turning Down 'The Night Manager' Season 2". Variety. Archived from the original on September 5, 2024. Retrieved September 6, 2024.
  16. ^ London, Rob (March 23, 2023). "'The Perfect Couple' Nabs the Perfect Cast With Nicole Kidman, Liev Scheiber, and More". Collider. Archived from the original on March 23, 2023. Retrieved March 23, 2023.
  17. ^ Rowan, Iona (March 24, 2023). "Nicole Kidman tipped to join Netflix murder mystery series". Digital Spy. Archived from the original on March 24, 2023. Retrieved March 24, 2023.
  18. ^ Slane, Kevin (March 28, 2023). "A Netflix series set to star Nicole Kidman will begin filming on Cape Cod next week". Boston.com. Archived from the original on March 28, 2023. Retrieved April 2, 2023.
  19. ^ Klein, Asher (March 27, 2023). "Star-Studded Netflix Murder Mystery Set to Film on Cape Cod". nbcboston. Archived from the original on March 27, 2023. Retrieved April 2, 2023.
  20. ^ "'Perfect Couple' To Begin Filming April 3". Cape Cod Chronicle. March 22, 2023. Archived from the original on March 22, 2023. Retrieved April 2, 2023.
  21. ^ D'Alessandro, Anthony (September 28, 2023). "Netflix Nicole Kidman Limited Series 'The Perfect Couple' Nantucket Shoot Disrupted By SAG-AFTRA Pickets – Update". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on September 28, 2023. Retrieved September 28, 2023.
  22. ^ Yossman, K.J.; Malkin, Marc (September 5, 2024). "Nicole Kidman, Meghann Fahy and 'The Perfect Couple' Stars Started a WhatsApp Group to Protest Opening Credits Dance Sequence: 'The Entire Cast Had a Mutiny'". Variety. Archived from the original on September 5, 2024. Retrieved September 6, 2024.
  23. ^ "The Perfect Couple: Season 1". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved September 18, 2024.
  24. ^ "The Perfect Couple: Season 1". Metacritic. Retrieved September 18, 2024.
  25. ^ Mangan, Lucy (September 5, 2024). "The Perfect Couple review – Nicole Kidman's gorgeous murder mystery is ludicrously good". The Guardian. Archived from the original on September 5, 2024. Retrieved September 5, 2024.
  26. ^ Hilton, Nick (September 5, 2024). "The Perfect Couple review: What could have been a biting satire is as daft as it is derivative". The Independent. Archived from the original on September 5, 2024. Retrieved September 5, 2024.
  27. ^ Einav, Dan (September 5, 2024). "Nicole Kidman spits venom in The Perfect Couple on Netflix — review". The Independent. Archived from the original on September 5, 2024. Retrieved September 5, 2024.
  28. ^ Hussain, Tania (September 5, 2024). "'The Perfect Couple' Review: Nicole Kidman's Netflix Series Is a Sharp, Twisty Whodunit". Collider. Archived from the original on September 5, 2024. Retrieved September 5, 2024.
  29. ^ Gajjar, Saloni (September 5, 2024). "Nicole Kidman can't save Netflix's frothy The Perfect Couple". A.V. Club. Archived from the original on September 5, 2024. Retrieved September 5, 2024.
  30. ^ Baldwin, Kristen (September 5, 2024). "Nicole Kidman gets nasty in Netflix's beach-read thriller The Perfect Couple". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on September 5, 2024. Retrieved September 5, 2024.
  31. ^ Wilson, Benji (September 5, 2024). "The Perfect Couple, review: Nicole Kidman's cliché-ridden whodunit is top-notch trash". The Telegraph. Archived from the original on September 5, 2024. Retrieved September 5, 2024.
  32. ^ Tinubu, Aramide (September 5, 2024). "Nicole Kidman's Netflix Mystery 'The Perfect Couple' Is Profoundly Unserious in All the Best Ways: TV Review". Variety. Archived from the original on September 5, 2024. Retrieved September 5, 2024.
  33. ^ Donaldson, Kayleigh (September 5, 2024). "'The Perfect Couple' Review: Nicole Kidman Keeps Her Must-Watch Murder Series Streak Alive on Netflix". TheWrap. Archived from the original on September 5, 2024. Retrieved September 5, 2024.
  34. ^ Travers, Ben (September 5, 2024). "'The Perfect Couple' Review: Nicole Kidman's Frothy Netflix Murder-Mystery Offers Limited Fun". IndieWire. Archived from the original on September 5, 2024. Retrieved September 5, 2024.
  35. ^ Han, Angie (September 5, 2024). "'The Perfect Couple' Review: Nicole Kidman Plays Yet Another Miserable Rich Lady in Netflix's Turgid Murder Mystery". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on September 5, 2024. Retrieved September 6, 2024.
  36. ^ Escobar, Cristina (September 5, 2024). ""The Perfect Couple" Retreads Better Shows About Bad Rich People". RogerEbert.com. Archived from the original on September 5, 2024. Retrieved September 6, 2024.
  37. ^ Hailu, Selome (September 10, 2024). "Netflix Top 10: 'The Perfect Couple' Debuts at No. 1 With 20.3 Million Views". Variety. Archived from the original on September 11, 2024. Retrieved September 11, 2024.
  38. ^ Campione, Katie (September 17, 2024). "Rebel Ridge Continues Netflix Reign As The Perfect Couple Tops TV; Emily In Paris Season 4B & Uglies Debut In Second Place". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on September 17, 2024. Retrieved September 17, 2024.
  39. ^ Hailu, Selome (September 17, 2024). "Netflix Top 10: 'Uglies' Debuts as No. 2 Movie While 'Perfect Couple' and 'Rebel Ridge' Hold Strong". Variety. Archived from the original on September 17, 2024. Retrieved September 18, 2024.
  40. ^ Jensen, Erin (September 9, 2024). "'Perfect Couple' stars Nicole Kidman, Liev Schreiber talk shocking finale". USAToday. Archived from the original on September 9, 2024. Retrieved September 10, 2024.
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