The Better Sister is a dark, twist-filled limited-series thriller created by Olivia Milch, which premiered on Prime Video in May 2025. Adapted from Alafair Burke’s 2019 novel, the show weaves together family drama, identity struggles, and criminal intrigue across an eight-episode arc. It balances elements of domestic suspense with psychological mystery, making it both emotionally charged and gripping.
At the heart of the story are two estranged sisters, Chloe Taylor and Nicky Macintosh. Chloe, played by Jessica Biel, is a polished and successful media executive who seems to have built a flawless life with her husband Adam and their teenage son Ethan. In contrast, Elizabeth Banks portrays Nicky, who has lived a more fractured existence marked by addiction, instability, and separation from her child. Despite their differences and long-standing resentments, the sisters are drawn back into each other’s lives after Adam is found murdered.
The shocking death sets off a chain of events that forces both women to confront hidden secrets and unresolved tensions. As the investigation unfolds, Ethan—who is revealed to be Nicky’s biological son—becomes a central figure in the case. Suspicion shifts between the sisters, Ethan, and other people in their orbit. Memories from childhood resurface, betrayals are exposed, and the fragile bond between Chloe and Nicky is tested as they navigate grief, mistrust, and survival.
One of the show’s biggest strengths lies in its cast. Jessica Biel and Elizabeth Banks bring emotional depth and authenticity to their roles, capturing both the love and rivalry that define the sisters’ complicated relationship. Their chemistry anchors the story, making the tension between them both believable and compelling. Kim Dickens also delivers a standout performance as Detective Nancy Guidry, whose sharp instincts and dry humor provide balance to the emotional turbulence of the sisters’ lives. Maxwell Acee Donovan, as Ethan, effectively embodies the duality of a vulnerable teenager and a possible suspect, adding another layer of suspense to the mystery.
Stylistically, the series blends elegant visuals with unsettling undertones. It uses sleek production design and moody cinematography to underscore the contrast between Chloe’s seemingly perfect life and the darker truths lurking beneath. The writing and direction move fluidly between intimate character moments and high-stakes suspense, maintaining a tense atmosphere throughout most of the season.
Despite its strengths, The Better Sister has received mixed critical responses. Some reviewers praise its strong performances and emotional core, while others argue that it leans too heavily on familiar tropes of the domestic thriller genre. At times, the narrative becomes crowded with subplots that distract from the central mystery, and certain character arcs remain unresolved or ambiguous. Still, the finale delivers a dramatic twist: Nicky is revealed to have killed Adam in self-defense, with Ethan manipulating evidence to protect her. In the end, Chloe and Nicky unite, shifting blame onto others, but the sudden murder of another key character hints at deeper secrets and possible continuation.
Overall, The Better Sister offers a glossy, emotionally charged murder mystery that thrives on themes of family, betrayal, and resilience. While not flawless, it succeeds in drawing viewers into a world where love and rivalry are inseparably intertwined, and where the truth is always more complicated than it first appears.
