Fans of crime shows and Elizabeth Olsen have raved about Love & Death for weeks, and now the HBO miniseries is officially concluded. If you’re still debating whether or not to start this period drama on the newly unveiled Max service, find out below if this series really is worth the seven-hour streaming investment.
With the true crime genre dominating streaming services more and more with each passing year, it is almost unsurprising that the story of Candy Montgomery was adapted for television twice in two years, first as Candy (2022) and now as Love & Death. The common knowledge about the true story of this crime is as follows: Montgomery allegedly murdered another member of her community in Wylie, Texas, after an extramarital affair with the victim’s husband. With the “suburban mom turned axe murderer” angle so rife with potential, prolific TV show creator David E. Kelley (creator of dozens of shows, including recent hits Big Little Lies, The Undoing, and Nine Perfect Strangers) tries to get inside the mind of those involved, hoping to glean dramatized insight into the motivations of this headline-grabbing crime.
Even with a notable supporting cast, Love & Death understandably relies on its central subject’s portrayal by Elizabeth Olsen. Thankfully, if you ever doubted her acting abilities after seeing her performances as Wanda Maximoff in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, you will never question her again after watching this show. Olsen imbues Candy with as much nuance as Kelley could have sought, with Montgomery’s pre- and post-crime life shaped by her facial expressions and vocal inflections. Those looking for more will likely recognize at least a few of the rest of the cast; Jesse Plemons (Breaking Bad) and Lily Rabe (American Horror Story) unquestionably justify their parts during the few moments without Olsen present for a back-and-forth.
Though this dramatized display of plain Christian life contrasted with its brutal undoing seems to satisfy those most drawn by its premise, Love & Death is far from perfect when viewed through a more critical lens. The direction, helmed by industry veterans Lesli Linka Glatter (Now and Then) and Clark Johnson (S.W.A.T.), showcases a firm grasp of the anticipated style that makes up for Kelley unevenly writing every teleplay like a seven-hour movie. Even with an opening claim that “this is a true story,” the dramatized dialogue confirms that this is no Selma–level historical document.
The Verdict?
Ultimately, we recommend Love & Death as a worthwhile endeavor, but with a crucial caveat: this one is specifically for Olsen and true crime fans. Though the understandably hearsay-based events depicted in this miniseries get the proper payoff and entertainment value that real life manages, anyone desensitized to the familiar beats of the genre might find Love & Death rarely treading new ground. Luckily, Elizabeth Olsen brings out just enough unforgettable, captivating moments to satiate almost everyone. To viewers who can forgive Kelley’s dramatic tendencies (and especially for those who welcome them), Love & Death is a binge-worthy must-stream.
All seven episodes of Love & Death are available on the streaming service Max (formerly HBO Max).
