15 THINGS TO WATCH IF YOU LIKE ‘THE BETTER SISTER’
If you, like me, and likely a great many others in the population, have binge-watched the latest Prime Video mystery, The Better Sister, you may now want to know what else to watch if you like The Better Sister. Well, I’m curious about the answer to this as well, so let’s set out to answer that.
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15 THINGS TO WATCH IF YOU LIKE ‘THE BETTER SISTER.’ If you binge-watched #TheBetterSister, consider these titles! #PrimeVideo Share on XThe thriller, mystery story The Better Sister is based on a novel of the same name and has Jessica Biel and Elizabeth Banks playing the sisters. The plot follows their reunion after years of not speaking when the husband of Biel’s Chloe is murdered. This opens old wounds, unveils secrets Chloe’s successful life keeps hidden and brings out the worse in almost everything involved in this case, from detectives to the long list of possible suspects… a list where no one seems to go unsuspected.
As a binge-release (what did we think of the end? Most importantly, who do we think did it?), which I think streamers seem to be doing more of now, this show is good. Does it do everything perfect? Nope. Am I here to evaluate if it’s “good” in terms of the technicalities like “structure”? Again, no. But as a viewer, I’m intrigued. It’s “enough” of a mystery to hook me, but also, despite its dark themes (and they are here), it hasn’t fallen into some creepy “tunnel” that makes us want to turn it off. Now it’s time to see what else there is that has some of the same themes as this one.
As a disclaimer, take these recommendations with caution since I haven’t seen many of them, but I did read about them, so you know, make of this what you will.
15 THINGS to WATCH if you like THE BETTER SISTER
BAD SISTERS
This title, according to the Prime Video description says it’s a “dark comedy” and follows sisters during an investigation where they are suspects “for the death of their toxic brother-in-law.” The cast includes Sharon Horgan, Anne-Marie Duff, Sarah Greene, Eve Hewson, and Brian Gleeson. Like other of these on the list, it’s also one I have not every seen.
Stream, at publication, with Apple TV+; or digitally purchase on places like Prime Video
Note; this show is TV-MA which means it has lots of adult material / content. This includes profanity (very likely lots of f-word uses) and sexual content
BURDEN of TRUTH
This one is a light-hearted show by comparison to The Better Sister (meaning the content isn’t as intense), but it has complicated relationships with fathers and daughters, and sisters too. The start of the show is a white-collar crime about a corporation doing things that are making a town ill. The show is, for me, one of the better modern mysteries when you look at the relationships. Don’t mistake me, they are messy and include bad things in the characters past, but thanks to Peter Mooney’s leading guy character, many of these things are also confronted and we get to see the characters talk about them rather than fade away and disappear into these things that are so dark. Kristin Kruek is the lead.
TV-14 is the rating of this. It has some adult content including mentions of past abuse and bad things happening to characters. There is some sexual content too; it stays in the TV-14 area. One character prefers the same sex if that bothers you. There is some language and mysteries that deal with death or hard things. watch if you like the better sister
DEAD to ME
Christina Applegate stars in this three-season show that follows a woman who loses her husband and forms a new friendship only for it to be with a woman who isn’t at all who she seems to be.
Stream, at publication, with Netflix
TV-MA is the show’s rating.
ECHOES
Michelle Monaghan stars in this drama that, if I’m honest, sounds… odd. It’s about identical twins who have swapped lives for years, including now as adults. Things get scary though when one of them goes missing.
Stream, at publication, on Netflix
TV-MA is the rating
GROSSE POINTE GARDEN SOCIETY
This is an NBC show (that will likely just get one season and is in fact the only of NBC’s shows not to receive its renewal or cancellation status) that follows a group of friends who, we learn, are brought together through different reasons, one of which is keeping a murder a secret. From what I’ve read (I only saw episode one), there are affairs, breakups and of course, closely held secrets. The show also feels quite “soapy” based on this and what I did see. if you like the better sister watch these
Stream, at publication, with Peacock; or digitally purchase on places like Prime Video
TV-14 is the show’s rating
LONG BRIGHT RIVER
A Peacock original, I didn’t go back in to finish this limited series, but what I saw was good. It has Amanda Seyfried as a Philly cop who is drawn into a dangerous case when a woman goes missing. The story also has complications because of a sister that Seyfried is constantly “losing” because of her drug use and the son she is trying to shield from these familial difficulties. This one is dark, but it did intrigue me and does make me want to finish watching.
Stream, at publication, with Peacock
TV-MA is the show’s rating
15 THINGS TO WATCH IF YOU LIKE ‘THE BETTER SISTER.’ If you binge-watched #TheBetterSister, consider these titles! #PrimeVideo Share on XMARCELLA
Anna Friel leads this international drama about a woman who, in the unexpected aftermath of her marriage ending, goes back to work as a detective. watch if you like the better sister
Stream, at publication, with
TV-MA is the show’s rating.
MARYLAND
A British miniseries that spans three episodes, this one follows sisters who are reunited after years of building their own respective lives, when their mother dies. Secrets come out in this short, and concise story that deals with serious health complications, affairs and burdensome family secrets. This isn’t a murder mystery, but there is a mystery, and the sister relationship is tender and also oddly sweet.
Stream, at publication, with PBS Masterpiece; or digitally purchase on places like Prime Video
TV-14 is the rating.
THE PERFECT COUPLE
Taking place over one weekend when the wealthy son of a “picture perfect” family is about to marry, this one is a murder mystery where the maid of honor dies which wrecks the bride emotionally and puts the police in the lives of one annoyed family over the entire weekend.
This show is messed up as many others like this seem to be. It’s about people who don’t seem to realize that what they have is amazing because they are too obsessed with more and perfection. The six-part miniseries has an impressive cast including Nicole Kidman, Eve Hewson and Meghann Fahy.
Stream, at publication, this with Netflix
TV-MA is the rating of this show. Adult content is the norm in this including lots of the f-word and some sexual innuendo (one scene shows a couple making an “attempt” to have sex only for her to leave seemingly because he isn’t going to “please” her. Another scene has a woman, off camera, moaning and enjoying a man pleasuring her; we see them in bed together). There is lots of talk about affairs.
PRETTY LITTLE LIARS
If I had to guess, I don’t think I’d say I’ve seen more than two episodes of this show. For me, I think the teen drama would be way too, well, dramatic. However it has Lucy Hale, Ashley Benson, Troian Bellisario and Hallmark star Ian Harding. According to its Prime Video page, the story, which ran for seven years, picks up in the aftermath of a girl named Alison who “mysteriously vanishes, four girls believe their secrets are safe forever. But when they begin to receive threatening messages from someone named ‘A,’ the truth may be only one text.”
Stream, at publication, with Max; or digitally purchase on places like Prime Video
TV-14 is the show’s rating
ORDEAL by INNOCENCE
From the mind of Agatha Christie, this one is about a family that is, well, complicated. It’s about a woman who, from the outside in, seems to be the best kind of person only for her family to know differently. In a recent adaptation from BBC (released in 2018), the all-star cast includes Anna Chancellor, Matthew Goode, Bill Nighy and Eleanor Tomlinson. Back in 2007, an adaptation was made as a part of the Marple series (Miss Marple is not in the original book) and featured Juliet Stevenson, Jane Seymour, Denis Lawson, and yes, even Richard Armitage!
Stream, at publication, with BritBox (both adaptations)
The show is TV-MA
SHARP OBJECTS
A title I don’t know anything about apart from knowing Amy Adams stars, this seems like one that may give similar “feels.” It’s about Adams’ reporter character who returns home after suffering a breakdown where complicated family relationships await her. watch if you like the better sister
Stream, at publication, on HBO Max; or digitally purchase on places like Prime Video
TV-MA is the rating for lots of sexual content (including relating to the crimes), violence and profanity
SINNER
Despite the fact that I do like knowing something about titles I include in a list, this USA Network show is one I know nothing about apart from hearing about it back when it debuted in 2017. Each season (there are three additional seasons) is a different case, and season one has Jessica Biel in the lead which is what inspired me by adding it here. According to its Prime Video page, the first season story follows Biel (who continued to serve as producer) who plays “a young mother who, when on a day trip with her husband and son, commits a startling act of violence and, to her horror, has no idea why.”
Stream, at publication with Netflix; or digitally purchase on places like Prime Video
16+ is the rating for this one and according to Prime Video, this is for “Nudity, violence, substance use, alcohol use, smoking, foul language, sexual content.”
SIRENS
Also starring Meghann Fahy (from The Perfect Couple), this one doesn’t have a murder mystery, but it IS a complicated mystery between family members, primarily about sisters. It’s also a drama set among the wealthy which fits The Better Sister.
Stream, at publication, on Netflix
TV-MA is the rating of this one; there’s lots of the f-word and two couples have a sex scene (undress, movement). There is also implications couples have sex at other points in the show too.
TOWARDS ZERO
Another Agatha Christie story, this one is a period drama about a messy family. It follows a tennis pro who’s life is in the spotlight constantly, first because of his career, and then for the high profile divorce he’s part of with the wife Audrey, whom he claims to still be in love with… only Kay, the rumored mistress would bely this.
There are different adaptations of this story, but it has a recent one on BritBox featuring Oliver Jackson-Cohen. The older version, which wrote in Miss Marple (the novel doesn’t feature her) is from the ITV series Marple and had Greg Wise in the lead role. That version is a little bit “happier” and helps me sympathize with some of the characters more. In this version, I am far less likely to sympathize with anyone, and find I don’t really care if anyone gets a happy ending, which isn’t a feeling I enjoy having. Still, the production is excellent and if you don’t mind a story that doesn’t really present anyone as likable, well then, this one is good.
Stream, at publication, with BritBox
TV14/MA is the rating. There is lots of “scandal” in this one and a scene on the stairs that gets, well, a little racy (they remain clothed).
MOVIES to CONSIDER
BEFORE and AFTER
When their teenage son is accused of murdering a classmate, Liam Neeson and Meryl Streep try to work through moral dilemmas and make choices that will forever change and alter their lives. I recently saw this 90s drama for the first time and was impressed. It has, which goes without saying, an impressive cast and is also a film that asks interesting questions and makes choices that hurt, but are also the only choice someone should make.
Digitally rent / purchase on places like Prime Video
PG-13 is the rating
GONE
Amanda Seyfried leads this drama that also doubles a thriller. The story is about a woman trying to recover after being held captive (and escaping) years ago. Considered crazy and not in her right mind by everyone, including the detectives, the nightmare reignites for Seyfried’s Jill when her sister goes missing and the kidnapper, who was never caught, returns to haunt her.
Stream, at publication, with Peacock, Plex, Roku or Tubi; or digitally purchase on places like Prime Video
PG-13 is the rating.
LONG LOST SON
By happenstance, a woman discovers the son she though long dead, after drowning in a boat accident, is actually alive and being kept from her. This is one of those lower budget television films that is so-so, but it does have Gabrielle Anwar and a young Chace Crawford (this is, in fact, his debut) so there is that. watch if you like the better sister
Note: this film is also known as For all the Right Reasons (on Roku)
Stream, at publication, on Plex, Prime Video or Roku
PG-13 is the rating
A MEMORY in my HEART
Jane Seymour leads the cast in this story about a woman who is suffering dreams and doesn’t know what is causing them or why she has a scar on her head. The story follows her journey to find the truth and discover why she cannot remember her past.
Stream, at publication, with Tubi
TV-PG/14 is the rating
THE SECRETS in their EYES
An impressive cast leads this one which includes Julia Roberts, Nicole Kidman and Chiwetel Ejiofor. The plot is about a “tight-knit team” who investigate murders only one becomes devastatingly personal when one of them has to live through their daughter being murdered.
Stream, at publication, with Hulu; or digitally purchase on places like Prime Video
PG-13 is the rating
Photos: Alamy
What titles would you add to this ‘watch if you like The Better Sister’ list? How many of these have you seen? Which ones did you dislike? How do you feel about The Better Sister? Comment your thoughts below. Let’s talk.
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Oh I haven’t watched Better Sister yet! Things have gotten busy and I am still finishing other series’ before starting new ones. Your suggestions are great as well. Bad Sisters and Dead to Me were both great as well as that first season of The Sinner.
Hope you enjoy The Better Sister if you see it, Hena! It’s “intense” as far as emotional things and I’m not sure I like the end, but it’s easy to binge. :)