When you think of Jessica Biel in a crime thriller, you likely remember her gripping performance in The Sinner (2017), where she delved deep into a complex, dark character that left viewers on the edge of their seats. That series made her a standout in the crime thriller genre. Then there was Candy (2022), another powerful entry where Biel brought depth and authenticity to her role. With The Better Sister, Biel’s return to this genre promises a similar, captivating ride. However, instead of a thrilling, edge-of-your-seat experience, the series struggles under the weight of its source material, buckling into a predictable and uninspired adaptation of Alafair Burke’s novel.
The show, which debuted on Prime Video, tells the story of two estranged sisters, Chloe (Jessica Biel) and Nicky (Elizabeth Banks). Their lives are thrown into chaos when Chloe’s husband, Adam, is found murdered. The catch? Nicky, the wild and troubled sister, is not only Adam’s ex-wife but also the biological mother of Chloe’s son, Ethan. This revelation creates a complex and tense dynamic between the sisters, who are forced to reconcile amidst the aftermath of the murder and ensuing trial.
The initial setup sounds tantalizing, promising a deep dive into family secrets, strained relationships, and dark mysteries. But unfortunately, this potential quickly fades as the series unfolds. The problem isn’t with the basic premise; it’s that the show doesn’t quite know how to execute it in a way that feels fresh or engaging.
Chloe: The Perfect Facade Crumbling Beneath
At the heart of The Better Sister is Chloe, portrayed by Biel, who initially comes off as a polished, poised professional. Her perfectly sharp bob is as carefully styled as her life seems to be. Chloe has everything going for her: a successful career in the magazine industry, a seemingly happy marriage, and a life that others would envy. But, as is typical in the world of crime thrillers, appearances are deceiving.
As Chloe juggles the demands of her job with the increasing threats to her company, we learn that beneath the surface, her life is unraveling. Her marriage to Adam, played by Corey Stoll, is on the rocks, and things take a drastic turn when she discovers Adam’s lifeless body in their living room. It’s a shocking moment, but it’s not the most jaw-dropping twist of the series—because, as the story progresses, we find that Nicky, Chloe’s estranged sister, is Adam’s ex-wife and the mother of Chloe’s son. This revelation feels like a perfect setup for high-stakes drama, but the series never fully capitalizes on the tension.
Nicky: The Wild Sister Who Demands More Depth
Nicky, played by Elizabeth Banks, is the polar opposite of Chloe. Where Chloe is controlled, Nicky is a force of chaos. Nicky is a recovering alcoholic, fresh out of rehab, and she carries the weight of a troubled past. She’s the type of person who has lived through her own demons, while Chloe has carefully constructed her life to avoid confronting anything uncomfortable.
But, instead of exploring the deep emotional and psychological rift between these two women—whose different life paths have shaped their fractured relationship—the series falls into familiar thriller tropes. Nicky’s character has so much potential. She embodies the type of flawed, raw, and complex figure that could add incredible depth to the show. Yet, the writers fail to fully explore her trauma, reducing her to a caricature of the troubled sister with a dark past.
As the story moves forward, the dynamic between Chloe and Nicky becomes the focus, with the sisters constantly bickering, clashing, and regressing into their childhood selves. While this might sound compelling, it quickly becomes repetitive and tedious. The series could have dug deeper into their individual struggles, but instead, it falls back on cliched family drama, without the sharp insights that could make this dynamic more captivating.
Formulaic and Predictable Storytelling
The mystery surrounding Adam’s murder is meant to be the driving force of the series, but sadly, it’s the least interesting part of the show. Instead of unraveling the intricacies of the murder and the trial in a way that keeps you guessing, the show’s plot feels stilted and formulaic. From the get-go, we are presented with a very standard narrative: Chloe and Nicky’s sibling rivalry, strained family dynamics, and the murder investigation. But nothing about the plot really feels fresh or exciting.
The writing is one of the biggest culprits in this downfall. The dialogue, while occasionally sharp, often feels flat. The interactions between characters lack the emotional resonance required to make them truly gripping. It’s clear that the series is trying to be a hard-hitting psychological drama, but it never quite hits the mark. Instead, it stumbles through predictable beats and tired storytelling conventions, giving us little to truly care about.
The Cinematography: Stark and Uninspiring
A thriller’s atmosphere is often defined by its visuals, but in The Better Sister, the cinematography only adds to the bleakness. The series is washed in cold, grey tones, creating a feeling of emotional detachment that mirrors the characters’ internal struggles. While some might argue that this starkness adds to the moody atmosphere, it ultimately feels uninspired. The visual style does little to enhance the emotional gravity of the story, and instead, it becomes yet another layer of dullness on top of an already uninspiring plot.
Kim Dickens: A Much-Needed Spark
Amid the lackluster performances, there is one shining star in the cast: Kim Dickens. As Detective Nancy Guidry, Dickens brings a level of wit and energy that is sorely missing elsewhere in the show. She’s the kind of character who cuts through the murkiness with sharp one-liners and a tenacity that makes you wish the entire series had followed her lead. Her presence adds a breath of fresh air to the otherwise stale proceedings, but sadly, her moments on screen are all too brief.
It’s clear that Dickens is having fun with her role, and that enthusiasm stands in stark contrast to the lackluster performances around her. Unfortunately, when she’s not on screen, the series falls back into its dull rhythm, and the momentum quickly dissipates. Her scenes stand out, but not in a good way. It’s hard to shake the feeling that she belongs in a completely different show—one where the stakes are higher, the writing sharper, and the performances more dynamic.
The Strain of Family Drama
At its core, The Better Sister attempts to explore the emotional strain caused by childhood traumas, and how these unresolved issues affect adult relationships. Nicky’s struggles with addiction and her complicated history with Chloe offer a chance for the series to dive deep into the psychological complexities of its characters. But rather than exploring these themes in a meaningful way, the show falls back on cheap plot devices and tired conflict.
There are moments where Nicky’s trauma is hinted at, and when she opens up about her past, it’s clear there’s a deeper story there. However, these moments are few and far between, and they never get the space they need to truly resonate. The series hints at something more profound but never fully delivers on it. Instead, it becomes just another formulaic drama that relies on its characters’ dysfunction to generate conflict, rather than offering meaningful exploration of their emotional journeys.
A Missed Opportunity
In the end, The Better Sister is a series that had all the ingredients to be something special—a tense, gripping family thriller with deep emotional stakes. Unfortunately, it fails to capitalize on its potential. What could have been a captivating exploration of sibling rivalry, familial trauma, and the search for justice ends up as a dull and predictable mess.
The series is not without merit—Jessica Biel and Elizabeth Banks both bring solid performances to their roles, and there are moments where the show hints at something deeper. However, these moments are fleeting, lost in a sea of uninspired storytelling and lackluster execution. The mystery itself never quite ignites, and the family drama becomes repetitive rather than compelling.
The Better Sister is yet another crime thriller that, despite its talented cast and intriguing premise, struggles to rise above the clutter of similar shows that have come before it. In a genre where high expectations are the norm, this one feels like a missed opportunity—one that will leave you questioning whether it was worth your time.
