Love & Death on Netflix: the true story behind the series starring Elizabeth Olsen

Since March 14, 2026, the miniseries Love & Death has been available on Netflix. This production, first broadcast on HBO Max in 2023, recounts a criminal case that left its mark on Texas in the early 1980s. With Elizabeth Olsen in the lead role, the series captivates a new audience with its chilling tale.

A Texas housewife at the heart of a bloody drama

Love & Death follows Candy Montgomery, a Texas mother. Her life is turned upside down when she begins an affair with Allan Gore, a man she meets at church. This secret relationship soon takes a tragic turn.

Feelings mingle with guilt. Betty Gore, Allan’s wife, begins to harbor suspicions. Tension mounts between the protagonists, reaching a point of no return. In the summer of 1980, Betty Gore’s body is discovered in her home.

The crime scene revealed extreme violence. The victim’s body was pierced by 41 blows from an axe. This brutality shocked the investigators and the entire local community.

An investigation that quickly points to a suspect

Candy Montgomery had an alibi at the time of the murder. But the revelation of her affair with Allan Gore changed all that. Investigators now consider her the prime suspect in the murder.

“When I read the articles and the book, it was simply too enticing, too rich, too appetizing for me to give up.”

This statement from series creator David E. Kelley to the Herald Sun in 2023 sums up the appeal of the case. The showrunner has drawn on the sordid details to build a compelling narrative on Netflix.

A resounding trial and a surprising verdict

Candy Montgomery turned herself in to the police. She was then charged and released on bail. Her trial was to keep public opinion on tenterhooks for several days.

In front of the jury, she pleaded self-defense. According to her version, Betty Gore discovered the adultery and tried to attack her with an axe. She then reacted to protect herself.

• The series has a total of 7 episodes
• Elizabeth Olsen plays Candy Montgomery
• The affair took place in the summer of 1980.
• The trial lasted 8 days
• Candy Montgomery found not guilty

At the end of the 8-day trial, the jury returned its verdict. Candy Montgomery was found not guilty. This decision was greeted with incomprehension by many observers.

Sources for the script

The series was largely inspired by Evidence of Love: A True Story of Passion and Death in the Suburbs. This book, by John Bloom and Jim Atkinson, details the facts in minute detail. A report published in 1984 in Texas Monthly magazine also served as a reference.

These documents enabled the scriptwriters to reconstruct the events with precision. The result offers Netflix subscribers a plunge into suburban America, where appearances can be deceiving.

What’s become of Candy Montgomery today?

After the trial, Candy Montgomery left Texas with her husband and their children. The family moved to Georgia to make a fresh start. This decision was taken to get away from the media coverage of the case.

According to People magazine, the couple divorced shortly after the move. The consequences of the affair weighed heavily on their family life. The media and social pressure proved difficult to bear.

Candy Montgomery later became a family counselor. This career choice may come as a surprise given her judicial past. However, having been acquitted by the courts, she was able to rebuild her life away from the spotlight.

With its arrival on Netflix in 2026, Love & Death reaches a wider audience. The platform allows new viewers to discover this true story. The series’ success testifies to the enduring fascination with American true stories.

• Netflix