A group dance during the opening credits of Netflix’s new murder mystery drama The Perfect Couple is sparking mixed reviews among fans of the show, with some saying they’re “obsessed” and others calling it “so cringeworthy.”
The six-part drama is based on Elin Hilderbrand’s 2018 book and centers on a planned wedding in Nantucket that goes wildly off course.
Flying high on the Netflix charts, the show has quickly racked up praise from viewers, with some already hailing it as the best thing on TV since The White Lotus and Big Little Lies, but the cast’s introductory dance scene, which is completely incongruent with the plot, has divided opinions.
The lively dance sequence features the show’s four main stars – Nicole Kidman, Liev Schreiber, Eve Hewson and Dakota Fanning – joining the rest of the cast for a choreographed routine on a Cape Cod beach set to Meghan Trainer’s song Criminals.
And here comes the intro dance! The opening choreography of The Perfect Couple, featuring the show’s biggest stars, such as Nicole Kidman and Liev Schreiber, has thrilled some and left others indifferent.
For some, the organised fun is too much: one X-watcher calls it “very embarrassing”, others don’t understand why it happens and one suggests that Nicole Kidman dances like “a stiff tree”.
Another suggested: “It was really out of place in a murder investigation story. The tone was very different.”
However, despite all the detractors, there are many who appreciate the series’ quirky playfulness.
One fan wrote: ‘I will never skip this intro so Netflix can stop asking me.’
The dance, at odds with the murder mystery plot, is performed to Meghan Trainor’s Criminals.
One viewer suggested Nicole Kidman’s dancing was like a “stiff tree”
Others say they are so hooked on the routine that they are learning the moves and have never skipped the intro.
Another agreed, writing: “I never skipped it. It’s SO good.”
Why? Many liked the unconventional routine, with one writing: “It’s so crazy I love it.”
Another added: ‘I want more of this introduction and to learn the dance steps.’
Survey
Do you like the intro dance routine in The Perfect Couple?
- Yes, it is cheerful. 156 votes
- No, it’s horrible 50 votes
This week, one of the show’s stars, Eve Hewson, revealed that Liev Schreiber was the only cast member of The Perfect Couple to openly embrace the hit show’s opening dance sequence.
The 33-year-old Irish actress was asked about the introduction during an appearance on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon on Monday.
“It’s a murder mystery show. And you’re like, ‘Why is everyone dancing?'” Fallon said.
Eve responded, referencing director Susanne Bier: “It was like a surprise email we got when we were about to wrap up shooting from our director, who we love, who we would probably do anything for. But this was really, like, forcing things.”
The star, daughter of U2 singer Bono, said the email asked them to “learn this dance” with little explanation and then described the initial reaction from the cast which includes Liev, Nicole Kidman, Billy Howle, Meghann Fahy, Donna Lynna Champlin, Dakota Fanning and Tim Bagley.
Premiering on Netflix on September 5, the six-part series is an adaptation of Elin Hilderbrand’s 2018 book about how a high-society wedding descends into chaos.
“The whole WhatsApp group blew up. And everyone was like, ‘I’m not doing it, I’m not doing it. I’m calling my manager. I’m calling my agent,'” Eve said while hilariously imitating her co-stars.
“They should pay me. They should pay me,” he added, while recreating his reluctance.
Eva admitted that she accepted it even though she secretly felt the opposite.
“I was pretending to feel that way, but secretly I was really excited,” Eve said.
Jimmy reminded Eve that he had danced with her before.
“I’m a good dancer,” Eve said confidently and Jimmy agreed.
Eve Hewson, who stars on the show, told Jimmy Fallon this week that there was a lot of outcry when word of the cast members’ dance routine broke.
“Um, if you look at the opening credits, I’m freaking out. I mean, I’m like ‘hwhaah,'” Eve said while showing off her dance moves.
Eve shared a behind-the-scenes video of the cast doing the dance which included her co-star Liev, 56, sliding while dancing.
Liev showed it off to the camera after turning around when someone shouted, “You’re breaking it!”
—Is that Liev? Liev, you’re breaking everything! —Jimmy said.
The star suggested the routine explained the show, saying it reflected the “unserious” and “chaotic” vibe.
“Liev was the only one doing it openly,” Eve shared after laughing at the clip. “I was pretending not to like it, because I wanted everyone to think I was cool. But, Liev was like, ‘I’ve been practicing this all the time!'”
Eve continued her Liev impression by saying, “I’m a sensation. I can’t wait.”
The introductory dance sequence was a solid reflection of the show, he said.
“This explains why this show is very funny, a little bit unserious and chaotic. And it’s supposed to be entertaining,” Eve said.
Jimmy also congratulated Eve on being cast “as the lead” in an upcoming Steven Spielberg project, and she modestly said, “One of the leads, but yes.”
The Perfect Couple is now available on Netflix