The Sandman TV Show Review: Escape to a Dreamlike Fantasy
The Sandman is a Netflix TV show, based on a famous DC comic, about fantastical creatures, gods, demons, and the follies of humans. The story kicks off when Dream, the ruler of the dream realm, gets captured by a human. Trapped and absent from his realm for over a century, the dream world and the human world suffer immense consequences. And so the first season of this show is about Dream dealing with the repercussions of his absence.
I really fell in love with this show. Its visuals are gripping and the storytelling is magical. I came into The Sandman knowing nothing about the comic series it was based on, but I do know that the comics were game-changing and highly impactful to many people growing up. This show reminds me of anime in some ways, because there are so many arcs and characters. Each new episode can oftentimes feel like a whole new adventure, where new characters, environments, and stakes are introduced. But rather than feeling overwhelming, the beauty of the show is how it stays interesting and connects everything back to the main arc. Every diversion feels like a meaningful exploration of what it means to be human and what it means to have hopes and dreams. Not to give anything away, but a stand-out episode for me was definitely the one that was centered around people in a diner. And another was the one where Death is introduced.
The characters in this show are phenomenal. While there is an element of “good” and “evil”, none of the characters ever feel truly evil, which speaks to their complexity. Tom Sturridge as Dream is mesmerizing to watch. You really feel for Dream as a character from the first episode, especially when it comes to the injustice of his situation. I loved every second Dream was on screen. I also have to give a shoutout to my favorite character of the season, Desire. Mason Alexander Park absolutely kills it in this role! Desire actually plays a pretty small role this season. It speaks volumes that a character with such little screen time can be so intriguing and memorable. Desire oozes a cool and sexy energy that makes it hard for people to look away. Aptly named!
The Sandman is fascinating show that explores human emotions, dreams, and fears in a deep and metaphorical way. While it is filled with fantastical creatures, it feels relatable and grounded in how it captures the human experience. It also helps that it is visually stunning at every twist and turn, set against the backdrop of terrific music. I feel like fantasy dramas aren’t usually my go-to, but The Sandman has the perfect mix of intrigue and complexity to capture the attention of just about anyone. Would highly recommend!