Erin Maxwell
The story of a golden child is a tale as old as time, ever since Abel was the apple of Adam and Eve’s eye. Any classic sibling rivalry simmers with a mix of favoritism, resentment, division, and, for extra spice, a little shared trauma and jealousy. In The Better Sister, Amazon Prime serves up a drama between two siblings steeped in secrets and lies that ends with a murder. But the real question is: does it deliver?
Chloe Taylor (Jessica Biel) is a best-selling author, the editor-in-chief of a popular magazine, and a mother who seems to do it all with effortless grace. There’s even buzz about a political run. Admired by colleagues, her life seems picturesque, except for the occasional online troll. Her husband, Adam (Corey Stoll)? Not so much. At least in the eyes of her peers.
That picture-perfect life comes to an end when Adam is found bludgeoned to death in what looks like a robbery gone wrong. With her Anna Wintour bob and emotionally frosty vibe, Chloe keeps it together, but something’s clearly off. And because Adam’s teenage son Ethan is still a minor, authorities contact his biological mom, Chloe’s estranged sister, Nicky (Elizabeth Banks). A recovering addict and certified disaster, Nicky’s return ignites an already tense dynamic. She’s Chloe’s sister, Adam’s ex, and Ethan’s mother, a perfect storm of baggage wrapped in a calamity of chaos. As authorities gather evidence that leads to Ethan as a potential suspect, the sisters are forced to put bad blood aside to keep their boy safe.
(Amazon Prime Video)
Based on Alafair Burke’s novel, The Better Sister dives headfirst into contemporary domestic noir as two women bound by blood, betrayal, and a murdered man must unite to clear their son’s name.
Though it boasts an intriguing story at its core thanks to its source material, and a cast full of A-listers, this murder mystery is weighed down by uninspired, emotionally vacant characters who leave little lasting impression. Though the performances are competent, they lack noteworthy moments or emotional breakthroughs, delivering a steady stream of dialogue and drama that feels more procedural than personal. Half the time, the script feels like it was generated by ChatGPT: cold, impersonal and devoid of real human emotion.
The core issue of The Better Sister is its lack of engagement. Despite a stellar cast and strong source material, the series suffers from a sluggish pace and a noticeable absence of urgency or tension. For a mystery, there is a stunning lack of suspense. Rather than drawing the audience into its story, it leads them passively from one plot point to the next, with little incentive to care.
The Better Sister is a perfunctory miniseries that will likely satisfy fans of made-for-TV dramas, hitting familiar beats with a capable cast and a storyline that remains faithful to the book. However, compared to today’s more elevated options, where bold, complex, and unflinching narratives have become the norm, The Better Sister feels more like a throwback to an earlier era of television, content to play it safe rather than push boundaries.