Elizabeth Olsen Takes a Whack at True Crime in ‘Love & Death’

HBO Max’s gripping new miniseries Love & Death dives deep into one of America’s most notorious suburban true-crime cases, offering a thoughtful second take on the 1980 axe murder of Betty Gore by her friend and neighbor Candy Montgomery.

Premiering April 27, 2023, on HBO Max (now available on Max and Netflix), the seven-episode limited series stars Elizabeth Olsen in a career-highlight performance as Candy Montgomery, a devout Methodist housewife in Wylie, Texas. Freed from her Marvel commitments post-WandaVision, Olsen delivers a magnetic, empathetic portrayal of a woman whose restlessness in the stifling late-1970s suburban life leads to an affair—and ultimately tragedy.

The story, based on the book Evidence of Love: A True Story of Passion and Death in the Suburbs by John Bloom and Jim Atkinson (originally reported in Texas Monthly), centers on Candy’s affair with Allan Gore (Jesse Plemons), the awkward, shuffling husband of Betty Gore (Lily Rabe). Unlike Hulu’s 2022 series Candy, which leaned into lurid horror elements, Love & Death—created by David E. Kelley and directed by Lesli Linka Glatter—takes a slower, more patient approach in its early episodes.

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Viewers are immersed in the world of churchgoing couples, potlucks, and quiet malaise before the violence erupts. Candy is depicted as kind, collected, yet increasingly undone by a yearning for more than domestic routine. Her affair with Allan begins as a calculated escape—he’s no “hunky pool boy,” but he awakens her sense of vitality. Meanwhile, Betty spirals into postpartum depression, clinging suspiciously to her husband and growing isolated.

The series excels when it uses the sensational murder as a lens for broader human experiences: suburban ennui, transgression against social norms, and the complexities of desire in a conservative Christian community. It’s refreshingly frank and even sweetly humorous about sex, portraying it as a natural part of life for these devout Texans, far from the coasts’ go-go culture.

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Olsen amps up some of Candy’s mannerisms for dramatic tension, but the performance remains grounded and human. Early episodes build empathy for all involved—Candy’s restlessness, Allan’s quiet dissatisfaction, Betty’s mental unraveling—before the inevitable confrontation on June 13, 1980. Candy claimed self-defense after Betty attacked her with an axe; she struck back 41 times and was acquitted at trial.

Supporting performances shine: Plemons brings nuance to the passive Allan, Rabe conveys Betty’s fragility and rage, and the ensemble—including Patrick Fugit, Krysten Ritter, Tom Pelphrey, Elizabeth Marvel, and Keir Gilchrist—adds depth to the tight-knit community.

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Critics have praised Olsen’s charismatic turn as the series’ lifeline, with some calling it mesmerizing despite the familiar true-crime territory. While it doesn’t fully escape the genre’s rote retelling pitfalls—competing directly with Candy—it distinguishes itself through naturalist storytelling, strong writing, and a focus on emotional realism over sensationalism.

The miniseries aired weekly from April 27 to May 18, 2023, with all episodes now streaming. It reignited interest in the real case, where Candy Montgomery walked free and later moved on with her life.

In a crowded true-crime landscape, Love & Death stands out for its patient character work and Olsen’s standout performance, proving once again why she’s one of television’s most compelling actors.

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