Honestly, the "perfect life" trope in TV is getting a bit exhausting, but then Jessica Biel goes and does something like The Better Sister and you’re kind of forced to pay attention again. It’s her latest project on Prime Video, and if you were expecting the glossy, safe version of the girl-next-door from 7th Heaven, you’re in for a massive shock.
She plays Chloe, this high-powered Manhattan magazine executive who basically has it all—the Central Park penthouse, the Hamptons house, and a hot lawyer husband. Then, the husband gets stabbed to death.
Why The Better Sister Is Jessica Biel’s Most Jagged Role Yet
This isn't just another whodunnit. It's more of a "who's the bigger mess" competition between two sisters. Jessica Biel stars alongside Elizabeth Banks, and the dynamic is just... uncomfortable in the best way. Biel’s character, Chloe, is the one who "won" at life, while Banks plays Nicky, the estranged sister struggling with addiction.
Here is the kicker: Nicky is actually the ex-wife of the murdered husband, Adam (played by Corey Stoll). Oh, and that teenage son Chloe is raising? He’s actually Nicky’s biological son. Talk about a holiday dinner from hell.
The jessica biel new series leans heavily into the idea of "the better sister" being a total myth. As the episodes roll out, you start to see that Chloe’s polished exterior is basically a structural lie. She’s brittle. She’s anxious. In one of the early scenes, she’s literally whispering affirmations to herself in a mirror just to keep from vibrating out of her skin.
✨ Don't miss: Why the Cast of Hold Your Breath 2024 Makes This Dust Bowl Horror Actually Work
The Mystery Most People Are Getting Wrong
A lot of viewers jump into this thinking it’s a straightforward hunt for a killer. It’s not. The real hook of The Better Sister is the trial of the son, Ethan. When the kid gets arrested for killing his own father, the two sisters have to stop clawing at each other long enough to figure out if they’re protecting a murderer or a victim.
Biel has been pretty vocal about the physical toll this role took. She’s even joked in interviews about getting tongue-tied over business jargon like "turnover reports" on set—apparently, she used apple turnovers as a mnemonic device just to get through the dialogue. It sounds funny, but when you see her on screen, there’s nothing lighthearted about it. She’s raw, jagged, and honestly, a little hard to watch at times.
Critics have been comparing it to her work in The Sinner, which makes sense. She has this specific talent for playing women who are right on the edge of a total psychological collapse.
What the Ending Actually Reveals
If you haven't finished the eight-episode run yet, stop reading for a second because we need to talk about the fallout. By the time the finale hits, the question isn't just "who did it," but "who is actually the 'good' one?"
🔗 Read more: Is Steven Weber Leaving Chicago Med? What Really Happened With Dean Archer
- Chloe (Biel): She’s the "ambitious career lady" the world wants to punish.
- Nicky (Banks): She’s the "bad mom" trying to overcome a history of being drugged and manipulated.
- The Twist: The show ends with a massive revelation about who actually held the knife, and it flips the script on the power dynamic between the sisters entirely.
Without spoiling every single beat, let’s just say that the "better" sister is a matter of perspective. One sister has the blood on her hands, but the other has the secrets that kept the engine running for years.
How to Watch and What to Expect
The series dropped all eight episodes on Prime Video, so it's a weekend binge-watch if you have the stomach for some high-society trauma. It’s based on the novel by Alafair Burke, and while it occasionally feels a little "soapy" compared to something like Sharp Objects, the performances usually pull it back from the edge of being too much.
People have been buzzing about Biel’s "stunning transformation" for the show. It’s not just the hair or the makeup—it’s the way she carries herself. She looks like someone who hasn't slept in three years but still manages to pick out a $4,000 blazer.
What’s Next for Jessica Biel After This?
If you’re already looking for the next thing after finishing the jessica biel new series, she’s not slowing down. She was recently spotted at the 2026 Critics Choice Awards (wearing a killer Lanvin gown, by the way), where she was nominated for Best Actress in a Limited Series for this exact role.
💡 You might also like: Is Heroes and Villains Legit? What You Need to Know Before Buying
She’s also got a sci-fi thriller called Ursa Major in the works and a rumored 7th Heaven reboot that she’s executive producing. It seems like she’s firmly moved into the "producer-actor" phase of her career, where she gets to pick the most complicated, unlikable, and fascinating characters possible.
If you haven't started The Better Sister yet, go in expecting a messy family drama wrapped in a murder mystery. Don't expect to like the characters—expect to be obsessed with how they destroy each other.
Practical Steps for Fans:
- Stream it now: All episodes are available on Prime Video.
- Read the source: Alafair Burke’s novel offers even more internal monologue for Chloe if the TV version felt too fast for you.
- Watch for Awards: Keep an eye on the upcoming Emmy cycle, as Biel’s performance is already generating significant buzz for the limited series categories.