7 reasons why Harlan Coben's Lazarus will remind you of horror thriller classics (& one is The Silence of the Lambs)

Harlan Coben
Harlan Coben's Lazarus | Image Source: Prime Video

Harlan Coben's Lazarus is the exact thriller that penetrates your body and mind and remains there. The series that melted down genres into crime, mystery, and psychological horror has gained notoriety rapidly because of its creepy atmosphere and creative storytelling. One of the major reasons Lazarus is different from others is that it resurrects the characteristics of classic horror thrillers like

The Silence of the Lambs and Se7en, while giving a modern, emotional depth. It is not only the frightening settings and the supervillain that contribute to the success of the series; every aspect seems to be very meticulously designed to unseat and keep the audience intrigued at the same time.

The series not only narrates a story but also engages in mind games with the audience, keeping them in suspense until the very last moment. Here are the seven reasons why you will be reminded of the greatest horror thrillers ever made by Lazarus.

Here are the 7 reasons why Harlan Coben's Lazarus will remind you of some horror thriller classics

1. A chilling villain with a twisted mind

Harlan Coben's Lazarus | Image Source: Prime Video
Harlan Coben's Lazarus | Image Source: Prime Video

Lazarus brings us a villain who is both palpable and frightening. This character doesn't rely on the jump scare but rather on intelligence and manipulation to disturb all those around them. Similar to Hannibal Lecter from The Silence of the Lambs, the villain's cool exterior belies something utterly horrific. Lazarus is Harlan Coben's most ambitious and original story yet, according to TechRadar, with psychologically complex and unexpected characters.

How the villain's motives and deeds develop keeps people both intrigued and uncomfortable while watching. The combination of charm and evil makes the dark side of the show unforgettable and chillingly realistic.


2. Psychological tension that keeps you on edge

Harlan Coben's Lazarus | Image Source: Prime Video
Harlan Coben's Lazarus | Image Source: Prime Video

Since the first episode, Lazarus has had us on the edge of our seats with its gradual psychological suspense. The narrative does not hurry along; it allows fear to develop organically via mystery and emotion. Like Se7en, it's less about what you see and more about sensing what comes next. TechRadar picks up on the fact that the show is full of twists and turns you won't see coming and maintains suspense in each scene.

Each word is packed with significance, and each clue contributes to the tension. The tension isn't in the plot alone; it's in the silence, the glances, and the dread of what's about to transpire.


3. Dark and eerie settings

Harlan Coben's Lazarus | Image Source: Prime Video
Harlan Coben's Lazarus | Image Source: Prime Video

Lazarus employs its settings to provide a sense of perpetual discomfort. Dark streets, mysterious interiors, and darkly lit rooms make the audience feel as if danger may strike at any moment. This is comparable to the eerie atmosphere in The Silence of the Lambs, where tension is created by the setting itself. According to TechRadar, the series has brooding and atmospheric visuals that create suspense and make the narrative more immersive.

The blending of unsettling atmospheres and smart cinematography puts audiences on pins and needles and completely invested, illustrating how the proper atmosphere can be as crucial as the characters or narrative in generating psychological thriller atmospherics.


4. Twists that shock and surprise

Harlan Coben's Lazarus | Image Source: Prime Video
Harlan Coben's Lazarus | Image Source: Prime Video

Lazarus is packed with surprises that leave viewers stunned at every turn. Before you know what's going on, the direction of the story shifts. This is typical of traditional thrillers, where nothing can be anticipated, leaving fans in suspense. According to TechRadar, the series unfolds with unexpected surprises, making each episode thrilling.

These surprises not only create suspense but also make the story and characters richer, bringing out deeper motivations and secrets. By keeping the audience in suspense about what happens next, Lazarus effectively blends contemporary storytelling with the unpredictability of horror thriller genre classics, making it a binge-watch series for suspenseful drama fans.


5. A race against time to stop a deadly plan

Harlan Coben's Lazarus | Image Source: Prime Video
Harlan Coben's Lazarus | Image Source: Prime Video

In Lazarus, the characters are always running to avoid catastrophes, which puts pressure on the situation and creates excitement. Similar to movies like Panic Room, the ticking clock makes the situation tense and keeps viewers fully immersed. TechRadar points out the series' accelerated moments of peril, which intensify the plot.

This urgency serves not only to advance the plot but also to heighten suspense, compelling the audience to wonder what is coming next. The mix of danger, timing, and strategy makes the series reminiscent of a classic thriller transposed to contemporary tastes.


6. Deeply flawed characters with hidden secrets

Harlan Coben's Lazarus | Image Source: Prime Video
Harlan Coben's Lazarus | Image Source: Prime Video

Lazarus characters are not flawless heroes; they possess secrets, flaws, and ulterior motives. This makes the series more realistic and easier to relate to. Similar to Gone Girl, where characters bear sinister truths within ordinary exteriors, Lazarus gradually brings these hidden aspects to light, keeping audiences engaged. TechRadar compliments the series for its complex character development, indicating that the series is propelled by mechanisms that are not merely action or suspense.

These multi-stranded characters generate tension, as audiences are forever wondering what their agendas are. By using flawed characters and hidden histories, Lazarus marries psychological complexity with thriller tension, with audiences in thrall episode after episode.

7. Unpredictable endings that haunt you

Harlan Coben's Lazarus | Image Source: Prime Video
Harlan Coben's Lazarus | Image Source: Prime Video

The finale of Lazarus lingers, much like other movies such as The Shining, which remain in your head long after viewing. The finale breaks expectations, taking viewers by surprise with results they may not have thought possible. TechRadar notices the series' twist-filled conclusion, which ensures that the suspense never really dies until the end.

These surprising conclusions are what keep fans on the phone, analyzing and speculating, and that is a staple of great thrillers. By combining jarring conclusions and ongoing psychological tension, Lazarus demonstrates that it can provide the same haunting experience as the horror thriller masterpieces that inspired it.


Harlan Coben’s Lazarus is a mystery series, but more than that, it is a psychological experience that recalls horror thrillers. With its memorable antagonist, spooky setting, and erratic plotline, it always keeps the audience on heightened alertness. The production asserts that genuine dread is a mental state rather than merely what is visible onscreen.

Just like The Silence of the Lambs or The Shining, Lazarus keeps the audience in a state of reflection for a long time after the showing is over, which already points out the great power of slow-burning suspense that never gets old and is always astonishing.

Edited by Sroban Ghosh