The Better Sister Review – Jessica Biel Shines in a Stylish Murder Mystery Full of Secrets and Suspense
Streaming now on Prime Video, The Better Sister is a gripping thriller with stunning visuals and a deadly twist.
The Better Sister kicks off like many crime dramas, with a murder and a trail of unanswered questions. The victim is Adam Macintosh (Corey Stoll), a successful lawyer. His wife, Chloe Taylor (Jessica Biel), is a powerful magazine editor. Their teenage son, Ethan, seems like a normal kid. On the surface, they look like a picture-perfect family. But behind the scenes, everything is far from perfect.
From the start, viewers are pulled into a web of suspicion. Chloe finds Adam dead and instead of calling the police right away, she grabs what looks like the murder weapon, her own penknife. That’s a red flag. Then there’s Ethan, who quickly becomes a prime suspect. His alibi doesn’t hold up, and DNA evidence links him to the crime scene. Things only get more complicated from there.
The show, based on the novel by Alafair Burke, introduces several possible killers. Adam had shady business connections. His boss, who also happens to be Chloe’s friend, seems suspicious. Chloe herself has received violent threats for standing up for workers’ rights. And many people, including close acquaintances, had reasons to dislike Adam.
Family Secrets and Old Wounds Take Center Stage
The most interesting twist comes from Chloe’s sister, Nicky (Elizabeth Banks). She’s Adam’s ex-wife and Ethan’s birth mother. Years ago, Chloe and Adam got custody of Ethan when Nicky was struggling with addiction. Now, with Adam dead, the police discover Nicky still has legal rights as Ethan’s guardian.
Nicky returns, bringing her bold personality and past regrets. She moves into Chloe’s luxurious New York City apartment, and soon, the sisters clash. Their relationship is tense, filled with sarcasm and old wounds. Their dynamic adds humor and depth to the show, even though the comedic tone doesn’t always hit the mark.
A Stylish Whodunnit with a Dark Core
The Better Sister isn’t just about solving a murder. It’s about watching seemingly perfect lives fall apart. The show is full of rich settings, beautiful outfits, and high-end lifestyles, but underneath all that luxury lies a story of betrayal, trauma, and hidden pain.
While the tone sometimes feels uneven, the mystery keeps viewers hooked. There are plenty of red herrings and a twist that’s hard to predict. It may not reach the emotional depth of Mare of Easttown, but it delivers a solid dose of drama, suspense, and dark family secrets.
If you enjoy murder mysteries with stylish settings and complex relationships, The Better Sister is worth watching. It reminds us that even the most successful lives can be built on lies, and that the truth always finds a way to surface.