The Perfect Couple is Netflix’s latest murder mystery drama series that was released on September 5, 2024. The six-episode series is loosely inspired by the 2018 book of the same name by Elin Hilderbrand. The series cast features Nicole Kidman as Greer Winbury, Liev Schreiber as Tag Winbury, Billy Howle as Benji Winbury, and Meghann Fahy as Merritt Monaco.
The series also stars Eve Hewson as Amelia Sacks, who plays the role of Benji’s fiance and Merritt’s best friend. Donna Lynne Champlin plays Detective Nikki Henry, Jack Reynor plays Thomas Winbury, Ishaan Khatter plays the role of Shooter Dival, Dakota Fanning is Abby Winbury, and Sam Nivola plays Will Winbury.
The series begins with the rehearsal dinner of Amelia and Benji, who are all set to marry in the Winbury house on Nantucket Island. As the happy couple and the picture-perfect Winbury family prepare for the wedding, the bride discovers the body of her maid of honor washed up on the shore of the Winbury house.
As the search for the murderer progresses, the dark secrets of all the characters come to light, and the cracks in the Winbury family are exposed.
Disclaimer: This article may contain spoilers. It may also reflect the author's opinion. Reader's discretion is advised.
Introduction to Benji and Merritt's relationship on The Perfect Couple
The Perfect Couple is centered around characters Amelia and Benji, who are supposed to get married during the weekend on Nantucket Island. Merritt is not only Amelia’s best friend but both friends view each other as family.
Amelia introduces Benji to Merritt at a party in a flashback. Merritt is Amelia’s maid of honor, which gives her an important role in the wedding.
Amelia's discovery of the mysterious photos
Before we delve into why Benji had Merritt’s photos, it is important to remember the many differences between the series and the book. As a result, elements of the plot like the ending of the series, why Merritt was killed, and why Benji had Merritt’s photos are different in the series.
In the series, Merritt is shown as a social media influencer, often taking pictures with people for her Instagram and then tagging them. Her career as an influencer is shown when Amelia is missing Merritt and looks at her reels and stories about Nantucket Island. In the first episode, Benji surprises Amelia with a portrait he painted of her.
In the fourth episode of The Perfect Couple, on timestamp 16:54, when Amelia confronts Benji, asking him why he has Merritt’s photos, Benji reveals,
“It's stupid. Merritt gave them to me; she wanted me to paint her. She saw the one I did of you, and she loved it. She was going to post it and tag me or whatever.”
When Amelia asks why he didn’t tell her the same before, Benji states,
“I didn’t want to spoil the surprise, and then when she... (referring to when Merritt died), I hid them. I didn’t want you to see them and get upset.”
The potential connection between Merritt and Benji's past in The Perfect Couple
Later in The Perfect Couple, the police find a voice message from Benji on Merritt’s phone. It reveals that Benji had interacted with Merritt after he found out about Merritt and his father, Tag’s affair.
Benji begged Merritt not to tell Amelia about the affair until after the wedding. The past of both characters was connected, as Benji was the second son of Greer and Tag. Tag was having an affair with Merritt, who was also later revealed to be pregnant with Tag’s baby.
The Perfect Couple is a Netflix drama and murder mystery, available now for streaming.
For more such entertaining stories and updates about the latest shows and soaps, stay tuned to Soap Central.
