The suspenseful climax of The Better Sister finally answers the question that has gripped viewers from the start: who killed Adam Macintosh in the Better Sister. The shocking reveal confirms that Nicky, Chloe’s sister and Adam’s ex-wife, was responsible for his death—but not in cold blood. It was an act of self-defense after discovering Adam’s violent behavior toward Chloe, his current wife.
Nicky’s return into Chloe’s carefully built life sets off a chain of events that exposes long-hidden secrets. After learning from her son Ethan that Adam had been abusive toward Chloe, Nicky confronts Adam face-to-face. The encounter spirals into violence when Adam physically attacks her, prompting Nicky to stab him with a kitchen knife in the heat of the moment.
The Shocking Truth Behind Adam Macintosh’s Death
While the show leads viewers to suspect multiple characters throughout its run, the final episodes provide clarity. The series masterfully misleads, presenting potential motives from Chloe, Ethan, even the mysterious Bill Braddock. But it is ultimately Nicky who delivers the fatal blow.
Key Points Summary
- Killer revealed: Nicky killed Adam in self-defense after he assaulted her.
- Chloe’s role: Chloe covers up the murder by planting the weapon on Adam’s boss, Bill Braddock.
- Ethan’s involvement: Ethan discovers the abuse and alerts Nicky, prompting her return.
- Detective Guidry’s downfall: The lead investigator is discredited after Nicky exposes her past misconduct.
- Jake’s death mystery: Chloe’s boyfriend is found dead, adding another layer of unresolved tension.
Unraveling the Web of Secrets
The narrative carefully constructs Adam as a manipulative man who played both sisters against each other for years. He once took full custody of Ethan, using Nicky’s past struggles against her. When Ethan, now a teenager, begins noticing Adam’s toxic behavior toward Chloe, he secretly contacts his mother to intervene.
Nicky, driven by both fear and fury, drives back into their lives—leading to the confrontation that ends Adam’s life. After the stabbing, she panics and calls Chloe. The two sisters, once estranged, now share a horrifying secret.
To protect her sister from prison, Chloe crafts a plan to frame Bill Braddock—Adam’s boss and a man with shady connections. She places the bloody knife in his office, redirecting the investigation. The police bite the bait, and Braddock is soon arrested under suspicion of being involved in Adam’s death.
The Investigation Takes a Turn
Detective Nancy Guidry begins connecting the dots but is blindsided when Nicky leaks a past misconduct incident that forces Guidry off the case. This sudden twist prevents the truth from surfacing publicly, allowing Nicky and Chloe to evade justice—for now.
Ethan, though never charged, carries the emotional weight of what unfolded. The show hints that he staged the crime scene to appear as a robbery gone wrong, though he was not present during the actual stabbing.
A New Mystery Emerges
Just as the case seems closed, another shock: Jake, Chloe’s romantic partner, is found dead on the beach. His mysterious death raises more questions than answers. Was it suicide? A murder tied to Braddock’s criminal network? Or someone else entirely?
With no definitive answers, the story leaves viewers questioning what justice really means in a world where almost everyone has something to hide.
The Sisters’ Reconciliation
In the final moments, Chloe and Nicky share a quiet moment on the beach, reflecting on the chaos and pain that has bound them together. Despite their differences, they have protected each other in the most extreme ways possible.
The series ends without labeling either of them the “better sister.” Instead, it suggests that both are deeply flawed, yet fiercely loyal—capable of both love and violence. It’s a morally complex ending that invites viewers to decide for themselves where sympathy lies.
The final answer to who killed Adam Macintosh in the Better Sister might be simple on paper, but the journey to that truth is anything but. The emotional depth, layered motives, and blurred lines of justice make this finale one that will be talked about for a long time.
Did you expect Nicky to be the killer? Or were you betting on someone else? Drop your thoughts in the comments below and join the conversation.