Unraveling the mystery: Abby’s dark turn in ‘The Perfect Couple’
Spoiler Alert: This article contains spoilers for Netflix’s limited series, “The Perfect Couple,” and the book by Elin Hilderbrand on which it is based.
A chilling twist in Nantucket
In Netflix’s gripping new murder mystery, “The Perfect Couple,” the seemingly idyllic setting of a July 4th wedding weekend in Nantucket is shattered by the death of Merritt, the maid of honor. The series opens with this shocking event, leaving viewers to wonder: why would someone want to kill Merritt?
The tangled web of wealth and secrets
Money, as they say, makes the world go ’round, and in the world of the wealthy Winbury family, it also fuels dark secrets and deadly motives. Early in the series, it’s revealed that Merritt was secretly pregnant from an affair with family patriarch Tag Winbury. This revelation sets off a chain of events that ultimately leads to her demise.
The twist comes in the finale when it’s revealed that Merritt’s pregnancy would delay Tag’s older sons from accessing their trust funds. This financial complication is particularly problematic for eldest son Thomas, who is deeply in debt. However, it’s Abby, played by Dakota Fanning, who takes drastic measures to protect her newfound status within the family. Abby drugs Merritt and drowns her during a late-night swim, a chilling departure from the book’s plot where Merritt’s death is more accidental.
Dakota Fanning’s villainous turn
Fanning, who learned she was cast as the killer before reading a single script, embraced the opportunity to play a villain. Known for her role as Jane in the “Twilight” series, Fanning relished the chance to portray a more grounded, albeit sinister, character. “In ‘Twilight,’ sure, Jane the vampire wasn’t great,” Fanning says with a laugh. “But she is a vampire, not a person. This was the first time I got to play the bad person, and I just loved it!”
Abby’s character is a fascinating study in privilege and delusion. Even as she is being arrested, Abby clings to her status, screaming that they can’t possibly send a pregnant woman to prison. This moment encapsulates the series’ blend of dark humor and drama, a tone that Fanning and her co-stars leaned into during filming.
The campy charm of ‘The Perfect Couple’
The series is not just a murder mystery; it’s also a dark comedy with a knowing sense of humor. Fanning and her co-star Jack Reynor, who plays Thomas, embraced this tone, often referring to themselves as “The Worst Couple.” This playful approach helped them navigate the series’ heightened reality, making their characters’ outrageous actions feel both shocking and oddly entertaining.
One of the most memorable aspects of the series is its opening titles dance number, a sequence that initially met with some resistance from the cast. Fanning admits she was part of the “open rebellion” against the dance, not because she didn’t understand it, but because she feared looking foolish. However, once the purpose of the dance became clear—to set the viewer up for the series’ surreal world—Fanning and her co-stars fully embraced it.
Filming the climactic scene
The scene where Abby drowns Merritt was particularly challenging to film. Shot in both a cold outdoor location and a swimming pool, the sequence required careful coordination to ensure safety while maintaining the intensity of the moment. Fanning praises her co-star Meghann Fahy for her performance, noting that Fahy had the more difficult task of portraying a drowning victim.
Abby’s unrepentant nature
One of the most striking aspects of Abby’s character is her lack of remorse. When confronted by Amelia, Abby’s look is not one of guilt but of blame. “I think she is still wondering how this is going to get fixed now,” Fanning explains. “She is still in her delusion.” This unrepentant attitude makes Abby a compelling and chilling antagonist.
The future of Abby Winbury
As for Abby’s fate, Fanning imagines her character would find a way to thrive even in prison. “She will probably be running the joint,” Fanning speculates. “She is just crazy enough to figure out some sort of way to get through it.”
Fanning’s enthusiasm for playing the villain suggests we might see her in more dark roles in the future. “Absolutely! I can’t do it too often or people will start assuming I am the killer all the time. So I need to wait a little bit. But when you least expect it, I’ll be back.”
For those intrigued by the twists and turns of “The Perfect Couple,” you can watch the trailer here.
This article has been edited and condensed for clarity and length.