Lately, there’s been a surge of TV shows focusing on the complexities of sisterhood. Shows like Netflix’s “Sirens” and Peacock’s “Long Bright River” have been making waves. Now, Prime Video’s limited thriller, “The Better Sister,” inspired by Alafair Burke’s best-selling novel and written for TV by Olivia Milch and Regina Corrado, presents two contrasting and alienated sisters, who were once close but are now torn apart due to deceit. After a startling crime disrupts their lives, they are compelled to reunite. Despite an intriguing plot that involves murder, secrets, infidelity, and a sensational trial, the series fails to deliver an impactful viewing experience.
The story of “The Better Sister” unfolds as twilight sets in. Chloe Taylor (played by Jessica Biel), a leading editor at a renowned magazine, is depicted exiting the Hamptons mansion of her mentor Catherine Lancaster. Following a brief car journey, she arrives home and engages in some minor household activities, such as tinkering in the kitchen. However, upon touching something damp with her bare foot in the living room, she notices her husband, Adam (portrayed by Corey Stoll), a successful lawyer, lying lifeless on the floor, drenched in blood.
In the midst of Chloe’s escalating fame and Adam’s questionable business practices, it might seem their professional lives could be linked to Adam’s death. But as detectives Nancy Guidry (Kim Dickens) and Matt Bowen (Bobby Naderi) delve deeper, they find that the seemingly perfect couple had numerous hidden issues. As the story unfolds, viewers discover that Ethan (Maxwell Acee Donovan), their 16-year-old son, was born from Adam’s previous marriage to someone other than Chloe – specifically, her older sister Nicky (Elizabeth Banks).
In their quest to unravel the mystery behind Adam’s murder, Guidry and Bowen lead viewers on an engaging journey. The series unearths the buried secrets that Chloe and Adam had fought so hard to conceal, as well as the truths that Nicky, grappling with alcoholism, felt compelled to keep hidden. When Nicky returns to town, causing a stir, and the police zero in on a suspect, the women are forced to face their past while dealing with the media frenzy surrounding them. Unfortunately, despite its promising elements, the show soon veers off course.
The TV series “The Better Sister” faces issues due to its inconsistent tone. Humorous elements scattered throughout the thriller appear discordant and fail to align with the overall mood or intent of the show. For instance, incorporating humor around a serious topic like the Jan. 6 Capitol riot or Ethan’s fixation on a medieval knight costume may have been effective in Burke’s novel, but they struggle to resonate effectively on screen. Consequently, these elements dilute the darker undertones of the storyline.
It’s even more puzzling how the show switches between scenes showing Chole and Nicky’s childhood, reminiscent of their past, and the strange visions they both experience of their father (Frederick Weller) and other deceased characters. Although these scenes from their youth provide a detailed insight into their personalities and development, the odd use of the visions disrupts the main narrative and instead of evoking strong emotions, they tend to distract the viewers.
Frankly, I found myself wishing for a tighter pace as I watched this captivating show unfold over eight extensive episodes. The complex and heart-wrenching relationship between Chloe and Nicky, coupled with the enigma of Adam’s murder, had me hooked – but these intriguing storylines sometimes took a backseat. In the final three episodes, the narrative took unexpected turns, leaving viewers like myself feeling whiplashed rather than finding resolution or unmasking the killer more promptly. Instead, the series delved into seemingly insignificant matters that didn’t seem to add much to the broader story arc.
The Better Sister” is disappointing because it holds great promise to be engaging. It portrays two contrasting sisters, united by blood, shared past, memories, and mutual affection for certain individuals. However, rather than deeply involving viewers in their lives and narratives, the series seems overly preoccupied with creating diversions, saving sensational twists for later reveals. This results in the latter part of the show becoming tiresome and uninteresting.
The extraordinary bonds between sisters like Chole and Nicky are among the most intriguing relationships we see in human society. Their shared history, marriages to Adam, connections with Ethan, and tragic event of Adam’s murder kept audiences hooked throughout the series. However, the series might have lost some of its edge due to trying to cover too much ground. It appears that “The Better Sister” may work better as a novel.
All eight episodes of “The Better Sister” premiere May 29 on Prime Video.
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2025-05-29 16:16