Netflix's new four-episode psychological thriller A Couple of Lies has quickly climbed to number four in the streaming service's most-watched series rankings in the UK, yet subscribers remain sharply divided over whether it is worth their time.
The Swedish-produced series, which launched as a weekend release just days ago, sits above the new instalment of French drama Lupin but narrowly behind the latest season of romantic comedy drama Nobody Wants This.
Plot and Premise
According to its synopsis, the programme follows Helene and Carl as they exchange their Stockholm archipelago home for a sun-soaked villa in Sicily, swapping lives for several weeks with Scarlett and Adam, a couple they have never encountered.
As they inhabit each other's properties, increasingly disturbing details start to emerge. When secrets surface and concealed betrayals are revealed, what began as an idyllic getaway gradually transforms into a sinister game of surveillance, manipulation and suspicion.
Critical and Viewer Reactions
The series has yet to accumulate sufficient reviews online to register a score on Rotten Tomatoes. However, one critic has already described it as a 'twisted' psychological thriller centred on a 'devastating' house swap.
Viewers remain divided over whether it merits their time. With just four episodes, it takes little time for audiences to watch the entire thing in a single sitting.
One viewer who did so cautioned: "Don't waste you time! Poor story ,very weak and lame acting. The plot seems promising at first, but quickly goes downhill, a completely unimaginative ending with no mystery whatsoever, with unexplained situations".
They concluded: "It was a huge disappointment, and I usually quite enjoy mysteries of Swedish origin, but this one is definitely not one of them. Really don't waste your time."
Yet another viewer offered a contrasting perspective: "As the plot thickens, it gets more interesting, even gripping. But the more the plot advances, it makes you wonder how are they going to resolve the storyline in so little time. The main characters are somewhat well developed and less black and white than initially but this doesn't help the general feeling of utter implausibility."
They went on to highlight certain redeeming qualities: "Scenery of both locations, outdoor as well as inside, are magnificent. So if not for much else, watch it for this. It's a nice binge watch to switch off and relax, yet still keeps you engaged."
Mixed Social Media Feedback
Presenting a contrasting perspective, one viewer shared on social media: "Highly recommend this one. Plot twist after plot twist! Finished all 4 episodes in one sitting. Add this to your watchlist, you won't regret it."
However, not everyone was won over, with one dissenting voice commenting: "Turned off after 10 minutes. Awful acting and dubbing."
A Couple of Lies is streaming on Netflix.
