The Perfect Lie, a Dutch thriller series centered on a dinner club with deadly consequences, has climbed Netflix's top 10 ranking shortly after its release this week. The seven-part show, based on Saskia Noort's 2004 bestseller, follows Karen (Loes Haverkort) as she moves with her family to Bergen in North Holland and becomes part of an exclusive supper club.
A deadly dinner party unfolds
The series opens with the aftermath of a fire that has destroyed a luxury villa, killing Evert (Edwin Jonker), a key member of the tight-knit group, and leaving his family fighting for survival. Through flashbacks, viewers learn how the club's hedonistic lifestyle—described by Netflix's synopsis as 'fully indulge in an extravagant and hedonistic lifestyle'—masks 'distrust, deception and betrayal.'
Karen soon discovers that the group's close friendship is built on lies, and she sets out to uncover the truth, but at a cost. The synopsis teases: 'Everyone has something to hide. Nothing is what it seems.'
Critical reception and comparisons
The show has drawn comparisons to Big Little Lies, with The Guardian noting in a brief write-up: 'Big Little Lies feels like an obvious comparison, but even though the premise is familiar, it's a slick and twisty take.' ScreenRant has named it one of the best new shows to binge-watch on Netflix, praising creative liberties taken with the source material that improve the finished product.
Heaven of Horror said the series can tread into 'soapy' waters but will be an easy watch for fans of thrillers and murder mysteries. The review added: 'This Netflix series has a lot going for it in terms of interesting characters and drama that I'm sure plenty of viewers can relate to.'
Dutch crime reputation boosted
What's On Netflix lauded the Netherlands' streaming output, writing: 'The Netherlands has developed quite the reputation for pumping out crime series at an almost industrial rate… Its Dutch division has finally managed to outdo itself with The Perfect Lie.' The review went further, stating: 'The Perfect Lie is already the best Dutch series I've seen this year. Not just on Netflix, either. It might even be one of the best Dutch series of the past five or ten years.'
The series is created by Dorien Goertzen, directed by Dana Nechushtan and Margien Rogaar, and written by Goertzen and Jop Esmeijer. Producers are Jacqueline de Goeij and Annemieke van Vliet. The cast includes Loes Haverkort, Remko Vrijdag, Noortje Herlaar, Edwin Jonker, Rifka Lodeizen, Matthijs van de Sande Bakhuyzen, Charlie-Chan Dagelet, and Teun Luijkx.
The Perfect Lie is available to stream on Netflix.
