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Yahoo
21-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Netflix's The Sandman still comes off like unimaginative cosplay
DC Comics' The Sandman, written by Neil Gaiman, was a groundbreaking and surreal series. However, the Netflix adaptation remains content to paint by the numbers. Superhero movies often take inspiration from their source material, but the better ones usually avoid directly translating stories to the screen word-for-word or panel-for-panel. As a TV show, The Sandman struggles to exceed or even match the original's stunning visual landscape, and its characters often feel like unimaginative cosplayers reciting Gaiman's dialogue. The Sandman's first season offered some compelling reasons for viewers to sympathize with its lead, Morpheus of the Dreaming (Tom Sturridge). He was kidnapped and held prisoner for a century; and once he escaped, he set out to reclaim what he had lost, both physically and spiritually. Sadly, the first half of The Sandman's second and final season doesn't deliver many satisfying reasons for us to care about what we're watching. These six new episodes are based on Season Of Mists and Brief Lives—and unfortunately, those very different tales are loosely connected through a specific plot point that just wanders off midway through its run, as if left unattended. Ultimately, this batch of installments serves as a character study for Morpheus, also known as Dream, who mostly sleepwalks through the proceedings. As drawn by artists Kelley Jones and Jill Thompson, the original Dream boasts a thrilling, unconventional weirdness that is absent on the screen. Instead, Sturridge performs the part as if he's a supernatural Mr. Darcy—or worse, Prince Charles from The Crown. There's far too much of the preening aristocrat and not nearly enough of the unknowable eternal being, with Sturridge delivering somber lines that feel stiff and joyless. A relentlessly dour Dream roams around rooms that resemble vampire-themed nightclubs and speaks in ponderous, whispered tones. It all comes off at times like a Key & Peele parody. Yes, he's the lord of dreams, but his very presence shouldn't put viewers to sleep. Critics have argued that the Netflix series is too faithful to Gaiman's work, but that's only true on the most superficial level. Overall, the TV series misses the mark on what made The Sandman so engaging and unique. Season Of Mists and Brief Lives were published in the early 1990s, and the Netflix adaptation exists in a seeming vacuum as if the past 30 years of TV fantasy and horror never happened. It's a curious choice. The Sandman is a clear spiritual ancestor to later genre entries such as Buffy The Vampire Slayer, Angel, and Supernatural, and Gaiman's work shares (and perhaps even inspired) their quirky, tongue-in-cheek approach. Dream holding a 'dinner party' where he meets and greets the treacherous contenders for ultimate power could have played out like a timely spin on reality shows like The Traitors. Later, Dream and his (very odd) sister Delirium (Esmé Creed-Miles) embark on what is effectively a wacky road trip to find their estranged brother Destruction (Barry Sloane). The sight of the two on a commercial airline fight in the comic is a laugh-out-loud moment. But the Netflix series drains these situations of any trace of humor or sly wit. Simply put, the show is serious at a time when works of fantasy are confident enough to not take themselves so seriously. The first-season finale set up a potential epic war between Hell and the Dreaming that is never fully realized, so Gwendoline Christie's return as Lucifer is disappointingly anticlimactic. The series obviously struggles with Lucifer, the fallen angel who was the basis for the titular series on Fox (and later Netflix). Tom Ellis' crime-solving devil was a significant departure from the text, and apparently Netflix's The Sandman chose to distinguish between the two versions by eliminating most of Lucifer's puckish charm and Machiavellian edge. Christie's Lucifer is as mopey and sullen as Dream, so their scenes together lack the source material's tension. Gaiman's Lucifer, on the other hand, was openly based on David Bowie. It's a shame, as it feels like a waste of Christie's talent and a commanding presence. Kirby Howell-Baptiste's Death is a necessary departure from the comic's now-dated 'pale goth girl,' yet the incongruity of a hip, perky, teenage embodiment of Death helped make her a fan-favorite character. Howell-Baptiste plays her as almost timeless, not really of this particular moment. She's more mature and somber than her on-the-page counterpart, so just what you might imagine from the personification of Death. And that brings up a big conundrum with the series: There are rarely any surprises. The comic was famously adventurous, frequently pushing the boundaries of its format, while the Netflix series is predictably straightforward, without the madcap nature of an actual dream. But on the plus side, the show does make a change to a character from Brief Lives that is particularly relevant for today, with the story directly challenging the cruel prejudice some people can't escape even in death. This tweak also affords a rare moment of genuine compassion from Dream (something the show could have used more of). And in other good news, Mason Alexander Park remains something of a revelation as Desire, imbuing Dream's younger sibling with layers of complexity. They are simultaneously seductive and sinister—and luckily (given that this is such a predictable adaptation), Desire should play a larger role in the final half of season two, which adapts The Kindly Ones and Overture. In the end, the experience of watching Netflix's The Sandman is like listening to a cover band perform one of your favorite songs: It's a passable version of something you've long enjoyed, with familiar beats that are comforting—even if nothing new or original has been added. And for newbies, there is still enough left of the original's imaginative world to entertain. The Sandman season two, volume one premieres July 3 on Netflix More from A.V. Club Duster's LaToya Morgan and Rachel Hilson on rooting a very '70s story in the here and now Spoiler Space: Jurassic World Rebirth once again makes dinosaurs everyone's problem Sinners got a bunch of its costumes from Marvel's abandoned Blade period movie Solve the daily Crossword
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Business Standard
03-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Business Standard
The Sandman Season 2 release time India: Episodes 1-6 are now streaming
After nearly three years of anticipation, Netflix's The Sandman Season 2 is finally here! The dark fantasy saga returns with its second and final season, and Volume 1 (Episodes 1 to 6) started streaming from today, July 3, at 12:30 PM IST, exclusively on Netflix India. Fans have waited patiently since the show's announcement, and now the journey of Morpheus continues with deeper mythological layers and emotional twists. But here's the twist; Season 2 is split into three volumes. While the first six episodes drop today, the story continues with Volume 2 releasing on July 24, and concludes with a special bonus episode titled "Death: The High Cost of Living" on July 31. The Sandman Season 2: Plot Based on Neil Gaiman's celebrated graphic novels, The Sandman Season 2 takes viewers through the most iconic story arcs—Season of Mists, Brief Lives, and The Kindly Ones. After restoring the Dreaming and defeating the Corinthian, Morpheus must now confront the consequences of his past, including a perilous return to Hell after Lucifer Morningstar abdicates her throne. This cosmic ripple unleashes conflict across realms as gods, magical beings, and mortals get drawn into Dream's fate. The new season also explores Dream's strained relationships with his immortal siblings—Destiny, Delirium, and Destruction—as personal guilt, family ties, and ancient grudges start unravelling the fabric of reality. The Sandman Season 2 Cast: Who's back and who's new? Returning to lead the fantasy ensemble is Tom Sturridge as Dream (Morpheus), joined by fan-favourites: Kirby Howell-Baptiste as Death Mason Alexander Park as Desire Donna Preston as Despair Gwendoline Christie as Lucifer Also returning: Jenna Coleman (Johanna Constantine) Boyd Holbrook (The Corinthian) Vivienne Acheampong (Lucienne) Patton Oswalt (Matthew the Raven) Mark Hamill (Merv Pumpkinhead) New cast members expand the mythos: Adrian Lester as Destiny Esme Creed-Miles as Delirium Barry Sloane as Destruction Ruairi O'Connor as Orpheus Indya Moore as Wanda Jack Gleeson as Puck Steve Coogan as the voice of Barnabas Norse mythology joins the universe with: Laurence O'Fuarain as Thor Clive Russell as Odin Freddie Fox as Loki The Sandman Season 2 Netflix release schedule (India Time) Volume Episodes Release Date Time (IST) Volume 1 Episodes 1 to 6 July 3, 2025 12:30 PM IST Volume 2 Episodes 7 to 11 July 24, 2025 12:30 PM IST Bonus Episode Death: The High Cost of Living July 31, 2025 12:30 PM IST The Sandman Season 2: FAQs 1. When is The Sandman Season 2 Episode 1 releasing in India? The first six episodes (Volume 1) were released on July 3, 2025, at 12:30 PM IST on Netflix. 2. How many episodes are there in total in Season 2? Season 2 features 11 episodes and one bonus episode, released in three parts. 3. Is this the final season of The Sandman? Yes, The Sandman Season 2 is the final instalment of the series. 4. Who are the new characters introduced in Season 2? New characters include Destiny, Delirium, Destruction, and figures from Norse mythology like Thor, Odin, and Loki. 5. Will there be a bonus episode? Yes, a bonus episode titled "Death: The High Cost of Living" will stream on July 31, 2025.
Express Tribune
03-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Express Tribune
'The Sandman' season 2 faces unfavourable reviews amid Neil Gaiman's scandal
The Sandman returns to Netflix with the first volume of its second and final season, but early reviews from critics have not been favourable. Despite its close adherence to Neil Gaiman's acclaimed comic series, the show has been criticised for its fragmented structure and lack of emotional engagement. The new season follows Tom Sturridge as Dream, also known as Morpheus, as he attempts to make amends for past actions. The narrative covers arcs from Dream Country, Season of Mists, Brief Lives, and Fables and Reflections, but the episodic format has led to a disjointed viewing experience that some critics feel lacks cohesion. Nick Hilton of The Independent gave the season two premiere two stars, stating: 'It is both a testament to that relationship and a victim of it… too elusive to be emotive, too fast-paced to be introspective.' Similarly, Jack Seale of The Guardian criticised the show for its tone, calling it 'so pretentious it ruins everything' and lamented its lack of humour and excitement. Added to the challenge are the sexual misconduct allegations made against Neil Gaiman, which he denies. Netflix cancelled the series shortly after the allegations surfaced and has offered little promotion for the latest release. Volume two and a bonus episode are set to be for released in July,
The Hindu
18-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The Hindu
‘The Sandman' Season 2 trailer: Dream returns to hell in an epic finale
Streaming giant Netflix on Tuesday (June 17) unveiled the trailer of the second and final season of The Sandman, the fantasy drama series based on the DC comics series by Neil Gaiman. Following the events of the first season, Dream of the Endless (Tom Sturridge) faces the heat of his past misdeeds while The Dreaming begins to fall apart. To make amends, Dream returns to hell and meets some familiar faces — friends, foes, gods, monsters and mortals — in what promises to be a riveting final season. 'But the path to forgiveness is full of unexpected twists and turns, and true absolution may cost Dream everything. Based on the beloved, award-winning DC Comic series, the second season of The Sandman will tell Dream's story arc in full to its thrilling conclusion,' reads the logline from Netflix. The second and final season is based on storylines from many fan-favourite comics, including the 'Season of Mists,' 'Brief Lives,' 'The Kindly Ones,' and 'The Sandman: Overture,' collections as well as single-issue stories such as 'Tales in the Sand,' 'A Midsummer Night's Dream,' 'The Song of Orpheus,' 'Thermidor,' and 'The Tempest.' The Sandman is showrun by Allan Heinberg, who also developed the series along with Gaiman and David S Goyer. With episodes directed by Jamie Childs, the series is executive produced by Goyer and Gaiman. Ameni Rozsa, Alex Newman-Wise, Austin Guzman, Shadi Petosky, Jim Campolongo, Vanessa Benton, Jay Franklin, Greg Goetz and Marina Marlens have served as the writers. The cast of the upcoming season includes Kirby Howell-Baptiste, Mason Alexander Park, Donna Preston, Esmé Creed-Miles, Adrian Lester, Barry Sloane, Patton Oswalt, Vivienne Acheampong, Gwendoline Christie, Jenna Coleman, Ferdinand Kingsley, Stephen Fry, Asim Chaudhry, Sanjeev Bhaskar, Razane Jammal, Ruairi O'Connor, Freddie Fox, Clive Russell, Laurence O'Fuarain, Ann Skelly, Douglas Booth, Jack Gleeson, Indya Moore, and Steve Coogan. The Sandman Season 2 will be released in two parts, with Volume 1 consisting of six episodes premiering on July 3, followed by a five-episode Volume 2 on July 24.
Time of India
17-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
'The Sandman' season 2 trailer: Tom Sturridge's Dream deals with the fallout of his past
'The Sandman' fans are in for a treat, as the official trailer for the second and final season has been released. 'The Sandman' fans are in for a treat, as the official trailer for the second and final season has been released. The trailer, released by Netflix, gives fans a first look at what's coming in this much-anticipated fantasy series based on Neil Gaiman 's famous comics. Tom Sturridge returns as Dream, and the new season will be released in two parts. According to The Hollywood Reporter, Volume 1, with six episodes, will premiere on July 3, and Volume 2, with five more episodes, will follow on July 24. A final bonus episode focusing on Dream's sister, Death (played by Kirby Howell-Baptiste), will be released on July 31. The trailer shows Dream grappling with the problems caused by his past. He must now make tough choices to protect himself, his kingdom, and the waking world. The journey will not be easy, as he faces both friends and enemies, including gods, monsters, and humans. Take a look According to The Hollywood Reporter, the official synopsis reads: "To make amends, Dream must confront longtime friends and foes, gods, monsters, and mortals. But the path to forgiveness is full of unexpected twists and turns, and true absolution may cost Dream everything." The cast includes familiar faces like Mason Alexander Park as Desire, Gwendoline Christie as Lucifer, Vivienne Acheampong as Lucienne, and Patton Oswalt as the voice of Matthew the Raven. Other stars in the new season include Jenna Coleman , Donna Preston, Esme Creed-Miles, Adrian Lester, Barry Sloane, Stephen Fry , and many more. Season 2 will cover well-known stories from the comic books, including Season of Mists, Brief Lives, The Kindly Ones, and The Sandman: Overture, as well as popular one-shot stories like The Song of Orpheus and A Midsummer Night's Dream.
