Lazarus Review – A Promising Thriller That Trips Over Itself
So, let’s talk about the new Harlan Coben adaptation, Lazarus , streaming now on Prime Video. Honestly, if you were hoping for a taut, edge-of-your-seat mystery, this one might leave you more puzzled than thrilled. The series, starring Sam Claflin and Bill Nighy, was supposed to be a gripping thriller, but it ends up feeling woefully thin and deeply repetitive.
The story centers around Joel Lazarus, played by Claflin, a psychiatrist who follows in the footsteps of his father, Dr. Jonathan Lazarus, portrayed by Nighy. Joel’s life is haunted by a personal tragedy: his sister was murdered back in 1998, and he witnessed the killer fleeing the scene, though they were never caught. Fast forward to the present, and his father’s death sets off a new mystery. Jonathan leaves behind a cryptic note saying “it’s not over” along with a bizarre drawing of a milking stool. Immediately, we’re plunged into a world of cryptic messages, unresolved grief, and suspicious coincidences.
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The plot tries to juggle classic thriller elements—mysterious deaths, ghosts delivering clues, and dangerous secrets—but it struggles under its own weight. Scenes are often repeated unnecessarily, with characters explaining events we’ve already seen, and flashbacks pile up to fill the six-episode run. Moments that should build tension fall flat because the story relies on implausible plot points and characters making questionable decisions, like letting a psychiatrist hack through an attic wall or ignoring glaring inconsistencies in a supposed suicide.
The writing, handled by Danny Brocklehurst in collaboration with Coben, attempts to create suspense but often tips into absurdity. The series leans heavily on grief and supernatural hints as plot devices, which could feel intriguing if done sparingly, but here it comes across as a shortcut to move the story forward. Even the performances, solid though they are, can’t fully rescue the material, which often seems patchy and forced.
In essence, Lazarus
So, while the biblical Lazarus is famous for rising from the dead, this series might have been better off taking a cue and staying buried. The premise had promise, but the execution ultimately fails to deliver the tension and intrigue that a thriller of this kind should have.
Harlan Coben’s Lazarus is available now on Prime Video.
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