Harlan Coben's Latest Mystery Thriller Defies Divided Critics as It Dominates Streaming Actorsvaultpro

The latest mystery thriller offering from Fool Me Once and Safe’s Harlan Coben Harlan Coben has defied a divisive response to become the latest streaming hit for the renowned writer. While he is now best known for bringing tales of betrayal and intrigue to Netflix, the latest effort from Coben has now debuted on Prime Video, where it has quickly taken the #1 spot on the popular streaming platform’s Top 10.

Titled Harlan Coben’s Lazarus, the mystery thriller series stars Peaky Blinders, The Hunger Games, and Enola Holmes star Sam Claflin alongside Alexandra Roach, David Fynn, Karla Crome, Kate Ashfield, with Bill Nighy as Doctor Lazarus. The series is executive produced and written by Harlan Coben and Danny Brocklehurst (Fool Me Once, Stay Close), and you can check out the official synopsis for the series below…

“Based on an original story idea and written by the New York Times best-selling author Harlan Coben and BAFTA-winner Danny Brocklehurst. Lazarus follows a man (Sam Claflin) who returns home after his father’s (Bill Nighy) suicide and begins to have disturbing experiences that can’t be explained. He quickly becomes entangled in a series of cold-case murders as he grapples with the mystery of his father’s death and his sister’s murder 25 years ago.”

Harlan Coben’s Lazarus has gradually found success since debuting its first season towards the end of last month, with the series now ranking second worldwide and taking the top spot in the United States on Prime Video. Coben’s latest clearly boasts more than enough mystery to coax audiences in once again, with Lazarus beating the likes of superhero series Gen V, the romance series The Summer I Turned Pretty, action thriller prequel The Terminal List: Dark Wolf, and the adult animation Hazbin Hotel.

‘Lazarus’ Proves the Popularity of Harlan Coben Mysteries

Jonathan touches Laz's shoulder in Lazarus — Jonathan touches Laz’s shoulder in Lazarus

While audiences are clearly tuning in to find out the answers to Harlan Coben’s latest mystery, Lazarus has proven to be deeply divisive among critics and audiences, alike. The series now stands at a “rotten” 48% from the former on Rotten Tomatoes, alongside a slightly improved 55% from the latter on the Popcornmeter, with the reactions seemingly split between those who are willing to lean into the bonkers absurdity, and those who expected something more.

This divide is best reflected by the reactions from Ben Dowell of The Times and Lucy Mangan of The Guardian. While the former hails Harlan Coben’s Lazarus as “a mess but, like the famous Eton pudding, hard to resist,” the latter concludes, “The biblical Lazarus is, of course, famous for rising from the dead. I think this one should accept its fate.” Ouch.

Audiences, too, are split, with one Rotten Tomatoes user saying Lazarus “is one of the only Harlan shows I’ve actually enjoyed,” while another laments, “Terrible on every account. What the hell did I just watch?” Though Lazarus may not have impressed every critic or viewer, the show’s dominance on Prime Video clearly proves the continuing popularity of Harlan Coben.