Catharsis and distinctive household dynamics determine prominently, each on and off-screen, in The Higher Sister. Based mostly on Alafair Burke’s bestselling novel, this Prime Video restricted collection finds two very totally different sisters (Jessica Biel and Elizabeth Banks) making a united entrance when one of many siblings’ husbands (Corey Stoll) is murdered. That’s, till their daddy points rise to the floor.
In the meantime, behind the scenes, creator Olivia Milch and producer Elizabeth Milch — real-life sisters — be part of forces to carry Burke’s work to the display. Their father is David Milch, the genius behind Hill Avenue Blue, NYPD Blue, and Deadwood; the elder Milch has admitted to points with habit, mirroring among the points Biel and Banks’ characters overcome within the collection. Or attempt to.
Collectively, these parts create an uncommon homicide thriller within the vein of head-turners like The Staircase, Sweet and Paramount+’s Presumed Harmless. Regardless of its killer plot, The Higher Sister is relatable, evoking common themes of household dysfunction and the emotional prices of pursuing excessive individuality—therefore the “higher” within the title. That will disappoint audiences in search of only a gritty whodunnit, however Biel and Banks command the display in refreshingly nuanced performances, elevating The Higher Sister throughout.
Twisted Sisters
The sisters on this collection are polar opposites: Chloe (Biel) is a rising media mogul with a busy lawyer husband, Adam (Stoll), and a teenage son named Ethan (Maxwell Acee Donovan). Nicky (Banks), in the meantime, is brief on money and muddling by her 12-step program. Here is the twist: Ethan is Nicky’s organic son, and Adam is Nicky’s ex. Not solely do these sisters share a previous historical past with a troubled father, however their grownup life can also be peppered with twisty household dynamics which might be enjoyable to look at.
One night time, Chloe returns dwelling from a celebration and finds Adam bleeding out on the ground, and her front room a blood-splattered mess. By episode two, Ethan is taken into custody, pulling Nicky deeper into this tangled net. As we quickly study, beneath Chloe’s picture-perfect demeanor is a bevy of secrets and techniques. Co-showrunners Olivia Milch and Regina Corrado deliberately reveal these slowly, by conversations between Chloe and her colleagues, performed by Lorraine Toussaint, Revon Yousif and Matthew Modine.
Associated
24 TV Crime Sequence Based mostly on a True Story
As depictions keep true to information but fictionalize to fill narrative gaps, these exhibits stroll a creative and moral tightrope, including to the intrigue.
These twists mirror plot factors within the ebook, however on display they splinter the mission, dividing it into half household drama and half homicide thriller that turns right into a courtroom saga within the second half. In a refreshing flip, The Higher Sister needs the viewers to know all of its characters, Chloe and Nicky. It is uncommon to discover a mission with a lot element and backstory awarded to the supporting forged: Mare of Easttown involves thoughts, as does Paramount+’s model of Presumed Harmless. The Higher Sister stands out due to these decisions, though it often makes the tone of the collection a little bit of a thriller — particularly when the showrunners start so as to add comedic components.
Immersive Performances
Biel and Banks are stellar performers, and it could have been simple for the administrators —Stephanie Laing and Craig Gillespie, each of Bodily, helmed a number of episodes — to make use of their superstar to anchor a few of these scenes. However the duo lose themselves of their characters, producing a mixture of intrigue and aggravation over the alternatives Chloe and Nicky make and the secrets and techniques they carry.
Banks tends to steal the highlight, nonetheless. Ger character has been extra immediately impacted by household dysfunction, whereas Biel’s Chloe did every thing she might to rise above it. However even that proved to be futile — with every passing episode, we uncover that Chloe just isn’t essentially “higher” than Nicky in any respect. Watching these actresses play off one another is thrilling: Biel and Banks have excellent onscreen chemistry, luring the audiences deeper right into a mysterious net.
Associated
10 Greatest Thriller Sequence To Watch If You Like ‘The Stolen Lady’
In case you’re having fun with the brand new collection ‘The Stolen Lady,’ discover these different gripping thriller exhibits from all around the globe.
Flashbacks arrive after the second episode, and little by little, we study extra concerning the sisters’ father, in addition to their deceased mom. With their very own private journeys at stake — Chloe’s media enterprise, Nicky’s sobriety and life decisions— the sisters will both unravel or prop one another up. The supporting performances are nice as nicely: Donovan turns in a memorable efficiency as troubled son Ethan, and Toussaint is phenomenal as Catherine, a fierce businesswoman. Modine camps it up as Chloe’s pal Invoice, and even doorman Arty (Michael Harney of NCIS: Origins) is integral to the plot. Removed from a cookie-cutter creation, this restricted collection is a deft mixture of household drama and homicide thriller, with Biel and Banks in full command.
The Higher Sister premieres on Prime Video on Might 25.