Jessica Biel's thriller The Better Sister only tells half the story.

Between Sirens, Bad Sisters and Nobody Wants This, sisters are having a real moment on TV — and the latest sibling rivalry drama we must talk about is Prime Video's The Better Sister.

Based on Alafair Burke's 2019 novel of the same name, this domestic thriller explores the complicated relationship between estranged sisters — ambitious magazine editor Chloe and troubled ex-addict Nicky — who are forced to reunite after the murder of Chloe's husband, who happens to umm, also be Nicki's ex-husband. I know, complicated!

To make matters more layered, Chloe has been raising Nicky's son, Ethan, and he is initially accused of the murder.

The sisters are played by Jessica Biel and Elizabeth Banks, who not only star but also serve as executive producers.

Watch the trailer. Post continues after video.

The cast is rounded out with House of Cards actor Corey Stoll portraying Adam, That '90s Show star Maxwell Acee Donovan playing teenage son Ethan, Fear The Walking Dead's Kim Dickens as Lead Detective Nancy, who works alongside Bobby Naderi as Detective Matt.

Filmed in New York, the series nails the novel's atmospheric blend of Manhattan glamour and Long Island grit.

The TV adaptation jumps straight into the action. In the opening scenes, Chloe discovers Adam murdered in their East Hampton beach house, which marks the beginning of Chloe's carefully curated life unravelling as she has to confront her past with Nicki.

Jessica Biel is perfectly cast in the role of Chloe, portraying her ice queen facade as a contrast to Elizabeth Banks' fiery chaos as Nicki. Both actresses are at their career best, especially when they share the screen and tackle their shared trauma.

Kim Dickens as Detective Nancy is another standout: she delivers a stunningly complex and nuanced performance, crafting a much more engaging character than what is found in the pages of Burke's book.

For the most part, the central murder mystery is gripping, with enough red herrings and twists to keep viewers guessing until the end.

Image: Prime Video.

But sadly, this is where the good stuff ends.

Firstly, the series feels way too long. Its eight episodes could have easily been condensed into five or six. After a strong first three episodes, the plot starts to painfully drag in the middle.

The sister dynamic is enthralling, but as the series unfolds, additional subplots about Adam's workplace and Chloe's affair start to detract from the main mystery and the women at the heart of the story.

The blend of female rage and a suburban setting could have been the makings of the next Gone Girl, but the series loses its way as quickly as it finds it.

With less emphasis on the sisters' history in the series, it becomes a fairly formulaic crime drama. But sadly, it's not bringing anything new to the table in that area — relying on well-worn and derivative tropes from domestic thriller and murder mystery genres.

Despite strong performances by the leads, especially in the case of Donovan as the teenage Ethan, the supporting cast often handled underdeveloped material that didn't add much to the main narrative.

The result is a series that feels like it's only telling half the story: the characters we're invested in don't have the space to fully be developed, while lesser characters are never fleshed out.

With too many characters and not enough emphasis on the sisters, the show didn't have the emotional impact it should have, even if the final episodes carried powerful messages about forgiveness and overcoming trauma.

Is it still an ultimately enjoyable twisty thriller? Yes. As said, the first episodes are super strong — I binged four episodes in one sitting.

If you can get through the (rather mid) middle, the payoff in the end makes the journey worth the wait, plus Biel and Banks keep the viewer safe in their capable hands.

All eight episodes of The Better Sister are available on Prime Video.

Feature image: Prime Video.