It’s not every day that a psychological thriller lives up to the legacy of Gone Girl, but The Better Sister, Prime Video’s latest limited series, comes impressively close.
Based on Alafair Burke’s novel and brought to screen by showrunner Olivia Milch, this series offers a gritty, emotionally complex mystery rooted in family trauma, addiction, and betrayal.
With Jessica Biel and Elizabeth Banks at the center of it all as estranged sisters Chloe and Nicky, The Better Sisterfinds its strength not only in its unpredictable plot, but also in its characters—flawed, layered, and painfully human. The show kicks off with a murder and quickly spirals into an unraveling of secrets, old wounds, and shifting loyalties that keep viewers on their toes through all eight episodes.
Murder, Memory & Mistrust Fuel The Better Sister’s Tension
When Chloe discovers her husband Adam dead, her seemingly picture-perfect life begins to shatter.
Complicating things further, Adam’s son Ethan is the child of her estranged sister, Nicky—whose return forces the past to the forefront. As detectives dig into the murder, buried secrets surface and the story shifts from a simple whodunit to an emotionally charged family drama.
The Better Sister excels in balancing its timeline, constantly flipping between past and present to explore how deep trauma and unresolved conflict can poison even the strongest bonds.
What makes it standout isn’t just the murder mystery—it’s how the show handles grief, guilt, and the complex roles we play in each other’s lives. Even as the investigation inches forward, the real tension lies in whether the sisters can ever trust each other again.
Jessica Biel & Elizabeth Banks Shine in a Story of Sisters and Secrets
Jessica Biel is no stranger to dark drama, and in The Better Sister, she brings her A-game.
Her portrayal of Chloe—a woman obsessed with maintaining control and appearances—feels raw and real, especially as her carefully curated life unravels.
Opposite her, Elizabeth Banks delivers an unexpectedly emotional performance as Nicky, a woman defined by past mistakes and a deep yearning for redemption.
Their chemistry is electric. Every scene shared between the two feels like it could explode.
From sharp exchanges to tearful confrontations, their dynamic is the show’s emotional backbone. Add in Kim Dickens as the no-nonsense detective Nancy Guidry, and you have a trio of performances that elevate The Better Sister above typical crime fare.
The Better Sister’s Strengths Lie in Its Tone and Character Depth
What makes The Better Sister especially compelling is its tone. Milch masterfully blends dark comedy with intense drama, allowing moments of levity to shine without undercutting the gravity of the plot. Whether it’s an awkward family dinner or a biting retort during a police interview, the humor feels organic—and essential.
The show also benefits from never letting its characters fall into stereotype.
While Chloe might at first seem like another overachieving magazine editor with secrets, and Nicky the troubled black sheep, the writing digs deeper. Both are shaped by trauma, love, resentment, and a desire for connection. That complexity is what keeps viewers hooked.
Goodie: Don’t Skip the End Credits—Watch for Subtle Hints
Want to catch the clues early in The Better Sister? Watch the ending of each episode carefully.
Small details in background scenes and quiet glances between characters often hint at future revelations. It’s a subtle touch that rewards sharp-eyed viewers and adds layers to an already twisty plot.
The Better Sister may not reinvent the wheel, but it spins it with enough force to leave a lasting impact. It’s a tense, well-acted thriller that finds meaning in both its mystery and its emotional core. For fans of Gone Girl, The Sinner, or Big Little Lies, this series is a must-watch.
While it occasionally gets bogged down in subplots and unanswered questions—likely setting the stage for a second season—its strong performances and thematic depth make it more than worth the ride. If you’re craving a mystery that doesn’t just ask “who did it?” but also “why are we like this?”, The Better Sister delivers.
