The Better Sister is a crime thriller streaming on Amazon Prime Video, starring Jessica Biel as Chloe and Elizabeth Banks as Nicky. The series revolves around two estranged sisters from opposite sides of the tracks, who are forced back together following the mysterious death of Chloe’s husband, Adam (Corey Stoll). What begins as a murder investigation soon unfolds into a complex narrative of family secrets, revenge, and corporate corruption. Adapted from Alafair Burke’s 2019 novel, the show was developed by co-showrunners Olivia Milch (Ocean’s 8) and Regina Corrado (Mayor of Kingstown), combining elements of suspense, psychological drama, and intricate character dynamics.
Chloe and Nicky, once close, became estranged due to Nicky’s struggle with addiction and the circumstances surrounding her son Ethan (Maxwell Acee Donovan). Ethan is biologically Adam’s son, but Nicky lost custody after an incident where he found baby Ethan floating in a pool while she was intoxicated. This tragic event not only ended Nicky and Adam’s marriage but also forced her to move to Ohio, although she continued helping care for Adam’s ailing mother, Debbie (Deirdre O’Connell). Their estrangement and past trauma set the stage for the tension and eventual reconnection that drives the series’ emotional core.
Adam’s Death Rekindles Sisterly Bonds Amid Danger, Secrets, and Moral Complexities
Adam’s death serves as the catalyst that brings the sisters back together. Initially, suspicion falls on Ethan, whose DNA is discovered at the crime scene. The investigation is led by detectives Guidry (Kim Dickens) and Bowen (Bobby Naderi), and quickly entangles a web of corporate malfeasance involving Gentry Group, the company Adam worked for. As it unfolds, viewers learn that Adam had been working with the FBI to expose Gentry’s criminal activities, including fraud, human trafficking, and manslaughter, suggesting multiple motives for murder beyond personal grievances.
The Better Sister (Amazon MGM Studios)Throughout the series, Chloe and Nicky navigate not only the legal chaos but also their shared trauma from Adam’s abuse. Adam was both physically and emotionally abusive, and his presence had left lasting scars on both women. Their reconnection is fueled by their mutual desire for justice and protection of Ethan, who struggles with his own anger and resentment toward his father. This dynamic gives the series its emotional depth, illustrating how family bonds can endure even the most painful betrayals and hardships.
In a twist, it is revealed that Adam was killed by Nicky in self-defense. A flashback shows that Ethan called Nicky after witnessing Adam assault Chloe, prompting Nicky to confront Adam. Adam attempts to strangle Nicky, who stabs him with a small pocket knife to protect herself. Ethan later finds Adam still alive and, believing Chloe responsible, chooses not to call for help, effectively allowing Adam to die. Ethan admits this to Nicky, expressing that although he feels guilt, he would make the same choice to protect her, highlighting the morally complex decisions faced by the characters.
Sisters Outsmart Enemies, Rebuild Bonds, and Face New Mysteries in Finale
The series’ climax revolves around Chloe and Nicky’s intricate plan to protect themselves and secure justice. Chloe pretends to side with Bill Braddock (Matthew Modine), Adam’s corrupt boss at Gentry Group, while secretly passing incriminating files to Detective Bowen. Simultaneously, Nicky undermines Detective Guidry by exposing her past mistakes, removing a major threat to their secrecy. Through clever manipulation and strategic thinking, the sisters manage to divert suspicion from themselves while ensuring that Bill is arrested, demonstrating their evolution from victims to empowered actors in the story.
The Better Sister (Amazon MGM Studios)The series concludes with Chloe and Nicky enjoying a renewed sense of sisterhood on a beach, celebrating their restored relationship. They plan to collaborate on a tell-all book about Adam’s murder, symbolizing their reclaiming of agency and narrative control after years of trauma. The ending emphasizes the themes of empowerment, resilience, and the complexity of moral choices, showing how both women have grown and adapted through adversity. Their journey from estranged sisters to co-conspirators and allies is a central emotional payoff for the series.
Despite the resolution of Adam’s murder, the series closes with a cliffhanger involving Jake (Gabriel Sloyer), Chloe’s lover and Adam’s former colleague, who is found dead. His death raises further questions about the dangerous world surrounding Gentry Group and leaves open multiple suspects, from rogue agents to potential threats tied to Nicky and Chloe’s actions. The show’s creators have hinted at exploring this mystery in a potential second season, leaving viewers with lingering suspense and the sense that the sisters’ story is far from over. This unresolved thread maintains the series’ signature tension and sets the stage for future intrigue.
