The Biel Renaissance: Jessica Biel's Top 10 Must-Watch Movies And Her Shocking 2025 Thriller Series

Jessica Biel has masterfully navigated the transition from teen drama star to a formidable Hollywood producer and leading lady in critically acclaimed limited series. As of December 15, 2025, her career is experiencing a significant renaissance, marked by a shift towards darker, more complex roles in television that showcase her dramatic range, alongside a legacy of blockbuster and cult-classic films.

The actress, who first captured global attention on the hit family drama 7th Heaven, is now generating massive buzz for her upcoming 2025 thriller series, The Better Sister, which promises to be one of the year’s most talked-about mystery dramas. This article delves into her latest projects and ranks the most essential movies and shows that define her impressive cinematic journey.

Jessica Biel: Biography and Career Profile

Jessica Claire Biel has built a diverse and enduring career spanning over two decades, consistently challenging herself with roles across various genres, from horror and action to romantic comedy and prestige television.

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• Full Name: Jessica Claire Biel (now Jessica Claire Timberlake)
• Date of Birth: March 3, 1982
• Place of Birth: Ely, Minnesota, U.S.
• Spouse: Justin Timberlake (m. 2012)
• Children: Silas Randall Timberlake, Phineas Timberlake
• Breakthrough Role: Mary Camden in the television series 7th Heaven (1996–2006)
• Notable Film Roles: The Texas Chainsaw Massacre (2003), Blade: Trinity (2004), The Illusionist (2006), Total Recall (2012)
• Accolades: Emmy and Golden Globe nominations for her work as both an actress and executive producer on The Sinner.
• Current Focus: High-profile television limited series and executive producing.

The Television Thriller Renaissance: 2022 and 2025's Must-Watch Series

While Jessica Biel's filmography is extensive, her most recent and critically significant work has been in the limited series format, where she has embraced the true-crime and psychological thriller genres. This shift has allowed her to explore deeply flawed and complex characters, earning her some of the highest praise of her career.

The Better Sister (2025): The High-Stakes Thriller

Her most anticipated project is the 2025 Prime Video limited series, The Better Sister, where she also serves as an executive producer. Based on the novel by Alafair Burke, the eight-part drama is a gripping mystery that explores the tumultuous relationship between two estranged sisters, Chloe and Nicky.

Biel stars as Chloe Taylor, a high-powered, seemingly perfect media executive living a glossy Manhattan life. Her world is shattered when her husband, Adam (played by Corey Stoll), is murdered. The tragedy forces her to reunite with her estranged sister, Nicky Macintosh (Elizabeth Banks), a woman with a troubled past, as they confront their family history and the secrets surrounding the crime. The series is positioned as a sophisticated psychological thriller, focusing on themes of betrayal, blood ties, and the dark side of a privileged life.

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Candy (2022): Playing a Real-Life Killer

In 2022, Biel transformed herself to play the title role in the Hulu true-crime limited series, Candy. The series dramatizes the infamous 1980s case of Candy Montgomery, a seemingly ordinary Texas housewife who was accused of the axe murder of her neighbor, Betty Gore (played by Melanie Lynskey).

Biel’s portrayal of Candy Montgomery, complete with period-appropriate fashion and a distinct, almost unsettling demeanor, was widely noted for its commitment. Critics described her performance as "mesmerising" in what was an intelligent, character-driven exploration of the gruesome event, focusing less on the violence and more on the psychological unraveling of a suburban life. This role solidified her reputation for taking on challenging, dark material and excelling in the limited series format.

Jessica Biel's Essential Movie List: From Action Star to Period Drama

While her current focus is television, Jessica Biel’s career is built on a diverse filmography that includes major action franchises, acclaimed independent features, and successful romantic comedies. Here are 10 of her most essential and highly-rated films and shows that every fan should watch.

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1. The Illusionist (2006): Often cited as one of her best films, this period mystery drama stars Biel alongside Edward Norton and Paul Giamatti. She plays Duchess Sophie von Teschen, the childhood love of a magician (Norton), a role that demanded emotional depth and subtlety in a complex, twist-filled narrative set in 1900s Vienna.
2. The Sinner (Season 1) (2017): This series marked a major turning point in her career. Biel played Cora Tannetti, a young mother who commits a shocking act of violence but cannot explain why. Her performance earned her Golden Globe and Emmy nominations, cementing her status as a serious dramatic actress and a powerhouse executive producer.
3. Total Recall (2012): A high-budget sci-fi action remake where Biel starred as Melina, a resistance fighter. Her physical performance and chemistry with co-star Colin Farrell proved her capability in the demanding action genre.
4. Blade: Trinity (2004): As the vampire hunter Abigail Whistler, Biel showcased her action chops early in her career. The film, part of the popular Blade trilogy, is a fan-favorite for its high-octane fight sequences and her memorable, physically demanding role.
5. The Texas Chainsaw Massacre (2003): This remake of the classic horror film was a huge box office success and solidified Biel as a scream queen and a capable lead in the thriller genre. Her role as Erin, one of the few survivors, is iconic in modern horror cinema.
6. The Rules of Attraction (2002): Based on the Bret Easton Ellis novel, this dark comedy-drama offered Biel a complex, edgy role as Lara, demonstrating her willingness to move beyond her wholesome 7th Heaven persona into more controversial and challenging material.
7. I Now Pronounce You Chuck & Larry (2007): Stepping into the comedy world, Biel starred alongside Adam Sandler and Kevin James in this buddy comedy. Her role as attorney Alex McDonough showed her versatility and ability to hold her own in a star-studded ensemble.
8. A-Team (2010): In this action-adventure film based on the classic TV show, Biel played Captain Charisa Sosa, a military investigator and former flame of the team's leader. The blockbuster showcased her in a strong, authoritative role.
9. Hitchcock (2012): A biographical drama focusing on the making of Psycho. Biel played actress Vera Miles, offering a nuanced performance in a film that explored the complexities of Hollywood's Golden Age.
10. Easy Virtue (2008): A period comedy based on a Noël Coward play, where Biel starred as Larita Whittaker, a glamorous American widow who marries into a rigid British aristocratic family. The film allowed her to display her comedic timing and elegance in a witty, ensemble piece.

The Evolution of Jessica Biel’s Career Trajectory

Jessica Biel’s career trajectory is a fascinating study in Hollywood longevity. She began her professional life as a vocalist in musical productions before landing the role that defined her early years: Mary Camden on 7th Heaven. While the WB series provided stability, Biel strategically used the show's hiatuses to take on film roles that diversified her portfolio, such as the gritty horror of The Texas Chainsaw Massacre and the period elegance of The Illusionist.

In the 2010s, after her marriage to pop icon Justin Timberlake, she began to focus more on producing. This move, particularly with the creation of the anthology crime series The Sinner, proved to be a masterstroke. By moving behind the camera, she gained creative control, allowing her to select and develop roles that truly challenged her, leading to the complex, boundary-pushing performances in Candy and the highly anticipated The Better Sister. This strategic pivot ensures that Jessica Biel remains one of the most relevant and compelling figures in contemporary film and television, constantly evolving her brand and topical authority within the thriller and prestige drama landscape.