The reviews for Netflix's The Sandman are in and the critics agree that the adaptation remains faithful yet intelligently updates many elements of the story.
Critics widely agree that bringing Neil Gaiman's beloved tale of Morpheus and his various adventures to the small screen was a major task, one that's been handled with care and a reverence for the source material. CBR's Sam Stone writes that despite the long wait, The Sandman manages to live up to fans' expectations, delivering "as faithful and good of an adaptation as one could hope for." Stone also spotlights the series' cast, praising both Kirby Howell-Baptiste and Jenna Coleman, who plays Death and Johanna Constantine, respectively, for their standout performances.
These sentiments were largely shared by Collider reviewer Robert Brian Taylor, who notes that the series loving translates Gaiman's work to the screen without "making any serious missteps that would cast a shadow over the whole enterprise." Screen Rant's Alexander Harrison was more mixed on The Sandman, praising the show's ambitious vision that sometimes doesn't manage to capture the full extent of the comic books. "TV is also episodic by nature, but watching The Sandman, it feels as if there was a good deal of hand-wringing over how the piecemeal narrative would translate," writes Harrison. Angie Han, reviewing for The Hollywood Reporter, similarly expressed that while the series pays dividends to the original story, it ultimately plays it "too safe" which limits its ability to become "classic in its own right."
Mr. Sandman, Bring Me a Dream
The Sandman chronicles the journey of Dream (Tom Sturridge) who, after being trapped in the human world for a century, embarks upon a quest to reclaim what was taken from him. Gaiman's original comic book series is widely considered to be one of the best examples of the format, with many fans considering it to be the author's seminal work.
While Netflix has yet to indicate whether there are plans for a second season, The Sandman executive producer David S. Goyer has confirmed that work on the next installment has already begun. "In some ways, it's easier [writing Season 2 scripts] because we've educated the audience to the basic ideas," Goyer said. "We've shown how the dreaming life can affect the waking world. With that groundwork done, the show can now build on those themes.
The Sandman is now streaming on Netflix.
Source: CBR, Collider, Screen Rant, The Hollywood Reporter