‘The Higher Sister’ Cleverly Blends Household Drama and Homicide Thriller
Catharsis and distinctive household dynamics determine prominently, each on and off-screen, in The Higher Sister. Primarily based on Alafair Burke’s bestselling novel, this Prime Video restricted sequence finds two very completely 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 Road Blue, NYPD Blue, and Deadwood; the elder Milch has admitted to points with habit, mirroring a number of the points Biel and Banks’ characters overcome within the sequence. 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. Which will disappoint audiences searching for only a gritty whodunnit, however Biel and Banks command the display in refreshingly nuanced performances, elevating The Higher Sister throughout.
