Lazarus, created by Harlan Coben, is a new psychological thriller on Prime Video, starring Sam Claflin as Joel “Laz” Lazarus and Bill Nighy as his father, Dr. Jonathan Lazarus. The six-episode series follows Joel as he returns home after his father’s death, only to uncover a web of cold-case murders, family secrets, and mysterious visions that date back decades. Throughout the series, Joel grapples not only with his father’s past actions but also with the tragic murder of his sister Sutton, which occurred 25 years ago.
From the very first episode, viewers are drawn into Joel’s perspective as he navigates grief, suspicion, and the unsettling feeling that his father’s death might not be as straightforward as it seems. A note, allegedly written by Jonathan, bears a drawing of a three-legged table and the words “It’s not over,” signaling that the past has unresolved threads. Joel’s skepticism about the note—questioning whether his father even owned a gun—sets him on a path of investigation that gradually unravels the dark secrets of the Lazarus family.
Joel returns home and sees visions
When Joel comes back to his father’s home, he is immediately confronted by memories and visions that guide him toward answers. Early on, he sees images of his father urging him to investigate cold cases, including the disappearance of a former patient, Cassandra. These visions ultimately lead Joel to uncover the body of Cassandra’s boyfriend Neil, hidden behind a false wall in her old apartment, establishing a pattern of concealed deaths connected to Jonathan’s psychiatric practice.
As the series progresses, Joel’s visions intensify, including repeated appearances of Sutton before her death. He tries desperately to intervene in the past, attempting to prevent her fatal accident, but is unsuccessful. These supernatural experiences blur the lines between reality and Joel’s perception, while pushing him to question the true nature of his father’s death and the possibility that someone else may have orchestrated the murders.
The three-legged table
The three-legged table, first shown in Jonathan’s alleged suicide note, emerges as a central symbol throughout the series. Joel notices it repeatedly—in his father’s possessions, in notes, and even in visions—signifying both imbalance and a recurring pattern in the Lazarus family. When confronted, Billy, Sutton’s ex-boyfriend, explains that the table represents a doorway to the next world, reflecting Jonathan’s obsession with death, cycles, and human morality.
In the final episode, Jonathan explains to Joel that the symbol represents the cyclical nature of life: sons eventually resemble their fathers, and history will repeat unless consciously broken. This revelation underscores one of the series main themes, highlighting that Joel’s challenges are not only about solving murders but also confronting the inherited patterns of grief, violence, and moral compromise within his own family.
Unraveling the murders
Joel’s investigation uncovers a string of interconnected deaths. Initially, attention falls on Sutton’s ex-boyfriend Billy, especially after Joel learns that Billy kissed Jenna, his sister, on the night of Sutton’s death to provoke jealousy. However, as more details emerge, it becomes clear that Billy could not have killed Jonathan because he was in rehab at the time of Jonathan’s death. He also did not kill Sutton.
Joel then turns his focus to childhood friend Sam Olsen. Evidence including home videos and odd personal belongings points to Sam’s involvement in Sutton’s murder. Confronted, Sam admits to killing her due to obsession and psychological instability. A physical confrontation follows, but Joel is interrupted by his own son, Aiden, preventing further tragedy.
Lazarus Courtesy of Prime
The shocking truth about Jonathan Lazarus
The ultimate revelation shocks both Joel and viewers: Jonathan Lazarus is the mastermind behind many of the murders. He manipulated Detective Alison Brown to cover his crimes and frame others, rationalizing the killings as justified punishments for his patients. Recordings left behind reveal his cold calculation, lack of remorse, and belief that guilt is a toxic emotion that should not dictate human behavior. Jonathan even orchestrates the circumstances of his own death, following Alison’s suggestion before her accidental demise.
Joel realizes that many of the visions he experienced were manifestations of therapy tapes left by his father. These recordings blur the lines between memory, trauma, and supernatural experience, reflecting the lingering influence of Jonathan’s actions. The revelation not only solves the cold cases but forces Joel to confront the reality of his father’s moral corruption and the weight of his legacy.
Joel’s son and the next generation
Joel’s investigation brings on another huge discovery, that Aiden is his biological son, conceived during a brief reunion with his ex-wife Bella. This discovery reinforces the series’ central theme: the cyclical nature of trauma in family. Aiden’s presence serves as a reminder that the choices of one generation inevitably influence the next, and that patterns of violence, secrecy, and grief will continue if unaddressed.
In the final scene, Joel goes to see Laura, who was supposed to be treated by Dr. Jonathan Lazarus but ended up meeting with Joel after his death. When he arrives, the house is a mess, with furniture overturned and things scattered everywhere. Aiden is standing in the doorway holding a bloody knife. He quietly says, “I’m sorry,” leaving Joel to wonder if the cycle of darkness in the Lazarus family is starting again with the next generation.
