The highly anticipated Netflix adaptation of The Perfect Couple, based on Elin Hilderbrand’s beloved beach novel, takes creative liberties that significantly alter the tone and message of the story. Showrunner Jenna Lamia and director Susanne Bier transform the breezy, scandal-laden mystery into a sharper, more biting critique of wealth, privilege, and entitlement. The streaming series retains the core plot of Hilderbrand’s novel—the murder of a maid of honor at a lavish Nantucket wedding—but amps up the drama and the stakes, leading to a much darker, more cynical interpretation of the events.
The basic premise remains familiar: on the morning of the wedding of a wealthy Nantucket family, the maid of honor, Merritt Monaco (Meghann Fahy), is found dead, and the investigation that follows reveals secrets and lies among the family and their inner circle. However, the Netflix version trades the novel’s more subdued approach for an unapologetically twisted portrayal of the Winbury family, with additional plot twists and a much more sinister conclusion.
A Sharper Critique of Wealth and Privilege
In Hilderbrand’s novel, the investigation into Merritt’s death centers on the personal dynamics of the Winbury family, but it ultimately absolves the wealthy characters of any serious wrongdoing. The book frames the accident as a tragic mistake, with Abby Winbury, the pregnant daughter-in-law, unintentionally playing a role in Merritt’s death. In an effort to incapacitate her husband’s mistress, Abby spikes a glass of water with a sedative, meant for Featherleigh Dale, the British socialite having an affair with her husband. Instead, Merritt drinks the sedative-laced water, accidentally drowns while trying to retrieve a ring from the ocean, and her death is ultimately ruled an accident.
The novel’s portrayal of the Winburys is forgiving, suggesting that even the wealthiest and most entitled characters are capable of making mistakes, but not of deliberate harm. The incident remains a dark secret known only to Greer Winbury, the matriarch, who chooses to keep it hidden, ensuring that her family remains untarnished by scandal.
But Netflix’s adaptation is far less forgiving. In Lamia’s version, the Winburys are shown in a much harsher light. Their privilege, wealth, and selfishness are no longer just part of the backdrop—they become the very reason for Merritt’s death. In this retelling, money and power are at the heart of the murder plot, with the family’s immense wealth and greed providing the motivation for Merritt’s murder.
A More Sinister Murder Plot
In the Netflix adaptation, Merritt’s death is no accident. Abby Winbury, played by Dakota Fanning, takes center stage as a calculating and ruthless character who knows exactly what she’s doing. Unlike the naive, social-climbing sorority girl from the book, Netflix’s Abby is aware of her precarious position within the Winbury family. Though she has married into wealth, she still feels like an outsider, craving approval from her powerful mother-in-law Greer and fearing the loss of her place in the family’s fortune.
This insecurity drives Abby to commit murder. Merritt’s pregnancy with Tag Winbury’s child—an affair subplot present in both the book and series—threatens the distribution of the family trust, which is set to be divided among the Winbury sons once the youngest, Will, turns 18. If Merritt’s baby is born, the inheritance would be delayed another 18 years. This financial threat motivates Abby to take drastic action.
In a chilling scene, Abby intentionally poisons Merritt with a barbiturate-laced glass of orange juice. She later suggests Merritt take a swim, and as Merritt begins to falter in the water, Abby holds her head under, drowning her. The Netflix version transforms Abby from a negligent bystander in an accidental death into a cold-blooded killer, driven by her desire to maintain her privileged lifestyle.
A Darker, More Dramatic Ending
While the book’s ending is subtle, leaving Merritt’s death shrouded in secrecy, the Netflix series opts for a dramatic conclusion that holds Abby accountable. In a particularly satisfying moment for viewers, police storm the Winbury estate to arrest Abby for Merritt’s murder. Abby’s entitled reaction—insisting she’s pregnant and therefore immune from arrest—exposes her belief that her wealth and status can shield her from consequences.
In stark contrast to the book, where the rich characters walk away unscathed, Netflix’s The Perfect Couple gives audiences the catharsis of seeing Abby’s downfall. As she’s dragged off in handcuffs, her screams for her husband to call their lawyer are met with indifference from the rest of the family. Tag, distracted by a game of golf, barely notices his wife’s arrest, reinforcing the show’s central message: the wealthy and powerful are immune to real consequences, and even when one of them falls, life goes on as usual.
Character Depth and Performance
The casting and performances in the Netflix adaptation enhance the story’s darker tone. Dakota Fanning’s portrayal of Abby is complex—she oscillates between a desperate social climber and a cunning, ruthless woman determined to protect her interests. Her performance adds layers to Abby’s character, making her both relatable and detestable, a far cry from the more passive version of Abby in the novel.
Meghann Fahy as Merritt Monaco also brings depth to the role, portraying Merritt as a tragic figure trapped in the machinations of the wealthy family she works for. Her vulnerability and growing awareness of the dangers surrounding her make her fate even more heartbreaking in the series.
Greer Winbury, portrayed by Isabelle Adjani as Isabel Nallet, is reimagined as a former escort who has climbed her way to the top of high society. This backstory adds a layer of grit and survivalism to her character, allowing her to connect with Amelia, the bride-to-be from a working-class background, in the show’s final moments. However, Greer’s past doesn’t fully redeem her; she remains a product of her wealthy environment, too detached from her roots to fully understand or empathize with those still struggling.
A Different Kind of Perfect
In the end, the Netflix adaptation of The Perfect Couple departs from Hilderbrand’s exploration of flawed relationships and hidden secrets to deliver a more pointed critique of the ultra-wealthy. The novel’s theme—that no couple is perfect—remains, but it is overshadowed by a darker, more cynical message: the rich will do anything to protect their privilege, and only those on the periphery of their world are held accountable.
While some fans of Hilderbrand’s novel may find the Netflix series too extreme, it offers a fresh, modern take on the original material, embracing the drama and complexity of a murder mystery set among the elite. For viewers craving a more biting, socially conscious narrative, Netflix’s The Perfect Couple serves up just the right amount of tension, intrigue, and justice.
