Is Love and Death the same story as Candy?

Yes. The miniseries "Candy" on Hulu and "Love and Death" on HBO Max both revolve around the same 1980 true crime case.

Real-life crime cases have often served as inspiration for films and series developed by major networks and streaming services, including the 1980 murder of Betty Gore, famously known as the Candy Montgomery case, which was previously adapted into the 1990s television film "A Killing In A Small Town."

Now, more than three decades later, this perplexing story is once again the subject of new shows, with the unique aspect being that two networks are simultaneously creating series based on Candy Montgomery's case.

What is the true story of Candy Montgomery?

On June 13, 1980, Betty Gore's husband, Allan, was away on a business trip, unable to reach his wife in Texas, which raised concerns. He asked their neighbors to check on her, and they made a horrifying discovery: Betty's lifeless body, brutally attacked with a three-foot ax, and their one-year-old daughter left unattended for hours.

The investigation revealed that Betty had been struck 41 times with the ax. Shockingly, it came to light that Candy, a close friend of Betty, had engaged in an affair with Allan from December 1978 to October 1979. Candy was the last person to see Betty alive when she visited their home that fateful morning to run an errand.

Her fingerprint, found at the crime scene, made her a prime suspect, leading to her arrest two weeks after the murder.

How does "Candy" and "Love and Death" differ?

"Candy" and "Love & Death" both cover the affair, murder, media attention, and subsequent trial, but they employ distinct storytelling methods and styles.

Approaches to Storytelling

Love & Death: Takes a slow-burn approach with a focus on drama, allowing viewers to know Candy on a personal level.

Candy: Incorporates elements of a psychological thriller, portraying Candy as eerie and distant to fit horror tropes.

Character Portrayals

Love & Death: Represents Pat Montgomery as aloof and childish, contrasting Candy's desire for excitement.

Candy: Shows Pat as attentive and supportive, offering emotional guidance to Candy.

Portrayal of Allan Gore

Love & Death: Jesse Plemons' Allan is cheery and personable, adding charisma to attract Candy.

Candy: Pablo Schreiber's Allan is less friendly and more reserved, possibly closer to the real-life Allan Gore.

Church Influence

Love & Death: Incorporates the local church setting frequently, showing its impact on the characters' lives.

Candy: Downplays the church's role, focusing less on its influence in the story.

Chemistry and Affair Dynamics

Love & Death: Presents more passionate and emotional sex scenes between Allan and Candy.

Candy: Features fewer sex scenes that lack emotional investment, altering the dynamic between the characters.

Narrative Structure

Love & Death: Follows a mostly linear storytelling approach with occasional foreshadowing.

Candy: Utilizes flashbacks and flash-forwards, creating a less immersive narrative experience.

Is Candy or Love & Death more accurate?

The fascination with true crime series lies in their authenticity, sticking to the factual accounts of real cases. "Love and Death" and "Candy" are both adaptations of the Texas Monthly article "Love and Death in Silicon Prairie" and the book "Evidence of Love" by Jim Atkinson and Joe Bob Briggs, respectively. While both series hit the main plot points, "Love and Death" closely follows the actual timeline of events, depicting the affair between Candy and Allan continuing until after the baby's birth, which aligns with court transcripts.

The differences in accuracy between the two series are minor, and they present the same story from different perspectives, making them both intriguing portrayals of the infamous crime.

Overall, true crime enthusiasts can appreciate the authenticity and attention to detail in "Love and Death," while recognizing that both series provide compelling narratives based on the shocking real-life events.