When you choose to watch “The Perfect Couple,” you’re fully aware of what to expect.

Netflix’s new limited series has what seems like a flawless combination: stunning beaches in Nantucket, a youthful and attractive cast, a bubbly novel from Elin Hilderbrand as its inspiration, a mysterious death to solve, despicable wealthy characters to dislike, and Nicole Kidman sporting an unflattering wig. It’s aiming for something like “Big Little Lies” set in the East, or even “White Lotus” for the affluent New England crowd. Alternatively, you could see it as a lighter version of “The Undoing.” Whatever the case, it clearly seeks to be an addictive, stylish mystery series, hoping to capture the fascination many shows have achieved in recent years.

“Perfect Couple” (available for streaming, ★★½ out of four) feels like a collage of various series and that’s quite apparent. The storyline lacks clarity at times and might benefit from being condensed into fewer episodes or perhaps as a single film with unnecessary details trimmed away. Many contemporary shows tend to waste viewers’ time, coming off as frustrating “slow burns” that take an eternity to unveil anything significant. In contrast, “Couple” kicks off strong and wraps up spectacularly but painfully fumbles through its middle, resembling a fluffy doughnut with unexciting filling.

Nonetheless, it remains a delightful doughnut: Chewy, gooey, and enjoyable.

The storyline unfolds in a striking Nantucket mansion that belongs to the elite Winbury family, headed by the frosty matriarch and best-selling author Greer (played by Kidman) and her laid-back husband Tag (Liev Schreiber). They’re hosting an extravagant wedding for their son Benji (Billy Howle) and his working-class fiancée Amelia (Eve Hewson, known for Apple’s acclaimed “Bad Sisters”). However, the coastal celebration takes a dark turn when a dead body is found on the beach. Suddenly, the hidden scandals of this seemingly flawless family (with their picturesque partnerships) begin to surface.

The cast outshines the material they have, featuring “Lotus” alum and Emmy nominee Meghann Fahy as the lively maid of honor, alongside Dakota Fanning as the glaringly unpleasant future sister-in-law. At times, Fanning seems to be the only one aware of the absurdity of the series, delivering a mean-girl attitude that is both enjoyable and detestable. You can’t help but love to loathe her for her biting remarks and the moment she cheekily samples someone else’s wedding cake.

While keeping the specifics of the death under wraps at Netflix’s request, discussing the plot becomes tricky as it often feels disjointed. Various unrelated storylines may connect to the core mystery but resolve all too quickly. There are hardly enough misleading clues to engage the audience in guessing who the murderer might be (if there even is one). Moreover, the pacing of the investigative procedures is exasperatingly slow, with instances like police examining such simple things as phone records only coming to light in Episode 5, while the media doesn’t show much interest in the mysterious death at a high-profile wealthy family estate until weeks afterward.

However, the conclusion is engaging and genuinely eye-opening, making for a fun finale. It’s a shame that the overdramatic, almost absurd tone couldn’t be maintained throughout the show. Creator Susanne Bier (“The Undoing”) seemingly aimed for this consistency, right from the opening credits featuring a choreographed dance with the cast to Meghan Trainor’s “Criminals.” It’s practically screaming for a trend on TikTok (unless the younger audience finds it too “cringeworthy”).

Hilderbrand is known for her quick, enjoyable “beach reads,” and “Couple” might have been better appreciated had it premiered over a relaxed summer weekend, perfect for binge-watching six hours of a decent if not spectacular show. With a busy September that brings numerous new and returning series vying for our attention, it may not come across as worth it.

After all, perfection is merely an illusion.