Just when it feels like there are enough Harlan Coben series already, another one arrives on streaming.
Many viewers can’t resist the twisty, suspense-filled thrillers from the best-selling crime author.
While some Coben series are based on his books, Lazarus — the new series for Amazon Prime Video — is a completely new original series co-created by the author along with BAFTA winner Danny Brocklehurst.
Harlan Coben’s Lazarus is currently streaming, and Watch With Us is already watching. Here’s why you should watch it.
‘Lazarus’ Grabs You With Its Thick, Conflicting Stories
Harlan Coben’s Lazarus concerns a forensic psychologist named Laz (Sam Claflin), who goes back to his hometown after his psychiatrist father, Dr. Lazarus (Bill Nighy), recently committed suicide. The six-part series shows Laz getting caught up in a string of murders while also working through the details of his father’s death. There’s also his sister’s unsolved murder from 25 years prior.
The show’s several conflicting stories feature Sam’s current issues and flashbacks to his younger years (where the character is portrayed by Ewan Horrocks). The series sometimes struggles to distinguish between timelines, which may cause some confusion for viewers. But ultimately, the contrasting timelines give the story and its characters a richness and complexity, while also blurring the lines between reality and delusion.
You’ll Never Guess the Plot Twists
Coben is known for his twisty, shocking stories, and Harlan Coben’s Lazarus follows suit. The series immediately draws you in and keeps you engaged with its many surprises and cliffhangers. Just when the main plot seems to resolve, Coben adds something else to make you rethink everything. In the end, the series is skilled at keeping audiences guessing.
As a result, the show’s surprises have more impact, even with so many of them. Each episode ends with a question that needs answering, making it perfect for binge-watching. While most of the season’s mysteries are resolved in the end, the show wraps up in a way that leaves the door open for a second season. We could personally keep watching Harlan Coben’s Lazarus, but we’ll understand if it remains a limited series.
‘Lazarus’ Is Wonderfully Cheesy
Alexandra Roach, Sam Claflin in Harlan Coben’s Lazarus Ben Blackall / ©Amazon /MGM Studios/ Courtesy Everett Collection
Coben fans aren’t watching for prestige or awards, but for a fun, cheesy, and totally engaging mystery-thriller that’s more like a theme park ride than high art. The plot is wild, the timelines are ambitious, the twists are crazy — and we love it. Watching Harlan Coben’s Lazarus is like watching Vanderpump Rules: you know you’re only watching for the simple serotonin boost, but you can’t look away.
In the show, Dr. Lazarus is humorously described twice as someone who “studied minds for a living.” Harlan Coben’s Lazarus probably won’t win over any Harlan skeptics or haters, but for those of us who enjoy his particular brand of over-the-top mysteries, Harlan Coben’s Lazarus will be a perfect fit.
Stream Lazarus now on Amazon Prime Video.
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