Streaming giant Netflix has just dropped its all new murder-mystery series The Perfect Couple starring Nicole Kidman, and people can’t stop talking about its bizarre opening credits sequence.
Released worldwide to Netflix on September 5, The Perfect Couple itself is has been welcomed by mixed reviews, with Guardian calling it “ludicrously good”, and the Independent saying it’s “as daft as it is derivative”.
However, amongst a sea of reviewers trying to give their verdict on the drama, it seems audiences’ real focus is on the unusual opening sequence in every episode of the show.
The opening credits scene for the perfect couple is something ain’t it
— smellbell (@ellen_edward) September 6, 2024
More often than not the opening credits and accompanying theme tune can often make-or-break a show. While Game Of Thrones flopped in its final seasons, its theme song was so good they brought it back for House Of The Dragon. And say what you will about how well Friends has aged, the “I’ll Be There for You” theme tune by the Rembrandts will forever be timeless.
Typically consistent with the theme and tone of the production it belongs to, the goal of an opening credits sequence is to provide audiences with an early point to suss-out the overall vibe and quality of a series.
Which is why when murder-mystery drama The Perfect Couple opted for a dance number to a Meghan Trainor song as its opening sequence, audiences were understandably confused by the mixed tone.
What is The Perfect Couple opening sequence?
At the beginning of single episode of the wedding-themed six-part mystery drama, viewers of The Perfect Couple find themselves suddenly watching the show’s entire cast — main and extras — perform 30 seconds of synchronised choreography to the song “Criminals” by Meghan Trainor.
That’s right, the show about a murder at a wedding opens with the cast dancing on a beach.
And not as their characters, mind you. As themselves. Watch it to believe it.
Every frame of The Perfect Couple opening credits is perfect. pic.twitter.com/o9O4ybcHnp
— Netflix (@netflix) September 5, 2024
Not only does the show do this every single episode, but it actually changes in later episodes to include the series director Susanne Bier.
What makes the bizarre dance sequence even stranger is the behind-the-scenes drama it took to get the cast to agree to do it.
Speaking to Variety, Bier shared that the sequence almost didn’t happen due to the cast almost having a “mutiny”.
“I had serious conversations [because everyone] went, ‘Are you sure you want to spend time doing this when we are so short of time?’ and I was like — I could hear myself being like a two-year-old – ‘I want it! I want it!’” she told the publication.
One lead actor, Ishaan Khattar, said that he and other members of the cast were confused by how the dance was supposed to match the dark themes of the show.
“I don’t think any of us could make sense of doing this choreography in these characters. We’re like, ‘Wait where does this fit into the scheme of things?'” Khattar told Variety.
Aussie superstar Nicole Kidman was among those with concerns, sharing that she didn’t feel her character would dance.
Yet despite the cast’s resistance, ultimately Bier’s dream came true, which is why audiences have been blessed with the bizarre opening sequence for The Perfect Couple.
Audiences react to The Perfect Couple intro sequence
And just like the show, The Perfect Couple‘s opening sequence has recieved a range of negative and positive reviews.
One viewer said that the scene would feature in their “nightmares for weeks”, which is far from glowing feedback.
Always looking for a dumb background series to put on when I’m in Austin for work. Cued up The Perfect Couple (nail on the head with that one) and I’ll be seeing this opening credits scene in my nightmares for weeks.
— Sandi Villarreal (@Sandi) September 6, 2024
“We have different definitions for “perfect” it seems,” another person commented on X.
Others expressed confusion over if this show was a musical, or a comedy… which it isn’t.
What in the Mamma Mia is this show about?
— Aaliyah Humphrey (@liyahumphrey) September 5, 2024
However there were plenty of other viewers who celebrated the light and silly dance sequence, applauding The Perfect Couple for not taking itself too seriously.
“The Perfect Couple opening credits is perfect,” a fan commented.
“I am so glad the dancing scene was left in the picture, enjoyed the moment,” said another.
Learning this choreography immediately!!
— Nọ́lá Thee Journalist (@NolaMarianna) September 5, 2024
As well as audiences being confused by the intro dance, reviewers also tried to unpack the strange title sequence.
“A Bollywood-style choreographed credits dance is, by far, the most fun part of the show – but it feels incongruous in a work that otherwise eschews leaning into its own silliness,” wrote Independent‘s Nick Hilton.
Meanwhile, Ben Travers of Indiewire shared that he believed the meaning of the intro dance was so that audiences would stop taking the show so seriously and relax.
“Don’t worry about what any of this means. Just turn off your brain, kick off your shoes, and have fun!” Travers wrote.
The Perfect Couple can be streamed on Netflix worldwide.
[Image: Netflix/The Perfect Couple]
The post The Perfect Couple Opening Scene Caused A ‘Mutiny’ Among The Cast As Some Actors Didn’t Wanna Do It appeared first on PEDESTRIAN.TV .
