The Sandman

:

Season 1
  • Network: Netflix
  • Series Premiere Date: Aug 5, 2022
Season #: 2, 1
User Score
6.2

Generally favorable reviews- based on 273 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 148 out of 273
  2. Mixed: 51 out of 273
  3. Negative: 74 out of 273
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User Reviews

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  1. CosmoA
    Aug 21, 2022
    4
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. I have not read the comic, I went into this only experiencing the show as is. As a show based in the real world it ignores a lot of real world problems and history.

    We have an unproportioned number of gay relationships and the way people of history treat people of colour is very incorrect. This causes the world to be very forced to be something that it is not. They have many talented black actors which some of which are my favourite characters, but I am also against race and gender swapping in storytelling. I feel it is a cheap way to fill in a "diversity quota" Which is very annoying because they have created such good black characters.

    Now there is an issue with the past. In the past it was very normal to be racist and this was only explored very slightly in the film; with the immortal man once being slave trader. So, there was obvious race issues going on, yet the whole show ignored it. I find this very bad story telling. Ignoring major social issues in the past and to prop up how far society as a whole has come is very disrespectful. These things make a more believable world and enrich the story so much further, yet it was completely ignored like it never happened.

    People of colour as a whole in a western society has had a very rocky start and people of all races band together to try and stop this and all that progress is ignored in this world. instead, it's a push to show people all that never existed?

    Then there is a large portion of people who are just non straight. As a bi man myself I felt very uncomfortable with the false narrative that this the world I live in. I am not saying there is no gay people, but when pretty much the majority of relationships in the show were gay, it is just so out of touch with reality. Especially with the beginning of a black man and a white man not only being interracially together but also being gay in the first half of the 1900s. That being accepted by everyone around them was so weird to see.

    Then the show also has a lot of gender swapped characters. Like i said before any race or gender swapping is terrible for pretty much everyone. Build strong characters for those actors and instead of trying to fill the roles with others.

    Now the story of the show is 2 main plot points. Which could have easily been broken up into 2 seasons and build up a lot more. There is a lot of major plot scenarios solved very quickly or left out for large parts of the season to come back later on with no real reason. The show is a bit messy and the passing is all over the place.

    If you have nothing else to watch, then I would still say watch it. But if you have a list of things you are waiting to watch, just ignore this show. I would assume a second season could be a possibility but a third is unlikely. I don't see this show going any further than it already has.    … Expand
  2. Drael6464
    Aug 21, 2022
    5
    Gorgeous CGI, captivating setting, mostly uninteresting stories with unrelatable characters. Fails to involve the audience.
  3. Prisme
    Aug 25, 2022
    5
    It started out great and peaked at ep6. From 7 to 10 it began to check a lot of uninteresting boxes, acting went down and I just stopped caring where the story went. The "boss fight" at the end is ridiculously boring... Rose Walker's storyline just seemed pointless compared to everyone else's. .
  4. danszthedude
    Oct 31, 2022
    4
    It's okay. Not too bad, but man everybody is gay in this one
  5. ElBilly
    Sep 1, 2022
    5
    It's quite good when it sticks to the storytelling, but fails when it forces to much "wokeness" just because.
  6. Dyeus
    Aug 6, 2022
    5
    Start was promising and Morpheus was portrayed properly but the aimless meandering and subpar acting by side characters make it hard to get through. They needed to cast better actors that can pull you into Fantasy. Joanna Constantine remains unexplored and feels childish most of the time.
    Dialogue is average at best and clunky at worst. Nothing that is said stands out.
  7. Ipoitalo
    Aug 9, 2022
    4
    Again a great Idea and potential for a great TV show... Ruined with genderbending... Raceswap and unnecessary diversity....its meh at best
  8. sultan09
    Aug 11, 2022
    5
    Great first half, Bad second half! Overall Disappointing...

    First half (for me Ep1-6) of the season was interesting and good, the pacing of the story was fine, good casting, Tom Sturridge as the character Dream, is nailing it, and the voice and acting is just perfect. Jenna Coleman as Johanna Constantine was awesome, definitely would love to see a standalone spin off of her story, Boyd    Great first half, Bad second half! Overall Disappointing...

    First half (for me Ep1-6) of the season was interesting and good, the pacing of the story was fine, good casting, Tom Sturridge as the character Dream, is nailing it, and the voice and acting is just perfect. Jenna Coleman as Johanna Constantine was awesome, definitely would love to see a standalone spin off of her story, Boyd Holbrook as Corinthian looked super cool. Episode 6 was the best of the season in my opinion. Gwendoline Christie as Lucifer is just not working at all, I'm sorry.

    Some Visuals looked great, some didn't, the color grading could've been better, I guess a more darker tone would've felt right. I felt like something was missing in the entire season, I understand it's more about philosophy than just action/magic, but I had much higher expectations.

    The second half (Ep7-10) was just bad. First 6 episodes made me an instant Sandman fan, then the rest episodes just killed that enthusiasm (I know that the comics is way different and much more expanded, and different, I'm not comparing). The weaker last four episodes could've been more interesting.

    I haven't read the comics (yet), but its on my reading-list. I am familiar with Neil Gaiman's works. I read Lucifer and American Gods.

    Let's see what more they bring to the story. And yes, WE WANT A JOHANNA CONSTANTINE SPIN OFF SHOW!    … Expand
  9. Willar
    Aug 14, 2022
    4
    Doctor Who meets Twilight. British soap actors, dodgy effects, and rubbish accents included.
  10. Ahlgren
    Aug 8, 2022
    4
    Saying this is a woke show is a understatement.

    Every one that´s important is gay bi trans or colored.
    White people are evil except Sandman. There´s some episods that´s okej some are ****
  11. Donttalk2
    Aug 7, 2022
    6
    Technically, this is a faithful adaptation of one of the most innovative and most influential stories in pop culture, well made and a feast for genre- fans. But in fact this is heavy handed, pretentious and rather boring. The comic book, with its unusual ways of storytelling, changing artists and bold play with myths und narratives, felt like a gate to a whole new world. The TV series isTechnically, this is a faithful adaptation of one of the most innovative and most influential stories in pop culture, well made and a feast for genre- fans. But in fact this is heavy handed, pretentious and rather boring. The comic book, with its unusual ways of storytelling, changing artists and bold play with myths und narratives, felt like a gate to a whole new world. The TV series is just another one of these franchises post -"0arry Potter". It drops the ecclecticism and the avantgarde, doubles down on the thin storylines under all the metanarratice and the attitude (Gaiman`s greates weaknesses), and some of the rather small changes change the mood and style IMHO beyond repair (it`s not a problem, that death is now a POC, it IS a problem that she isn`t aloof). The comic book has some of the most iconic and ironic dialogues in the realm of fantasy, here they are alonst always very, very serious statements about gods who are more than gods and how everyone lost their magic things. Coleman and Thewlis were fun.… Expand
  12. Kangi
    Aug 10, 2022
    5
    Good show if not for the Netflix virtue signaling. What would have been a 9 loses points for being ridiculously over the top with agenda that has nothing to do with the story.
  13. comadore
    Aug 9, 2022
    4
    I wasn't a popular kid in school. I was the quiet kid who sat reading comics to stay out of the way of the bullies. My escape from the chaos was the original Sandman Comics. I immediately fell in love with the rich imagery and characters. I used to draw the pale and beautiful, punk, goth character Death on my notebooks.I shared and promoted The Sandman to everyone who would listen. It'sI wasn't a popular kid in school. I was the quiet kid who sat reading comics to stay out of the way of the bullies. My escape from the chaos was the original Sandman Comics. I immediately fell in love with the rich imagery and characters. I used to draw the pale and beautiful, punk, goth character Death on my notebooks.I shared and promoted The Sandman to everyone who would listen. It's safe to say that people like me are the reason this property even got a live action adaptation and is still a brand to this day. So it pains me when I say, "This show isn't for me".
    But if it's not for long time fans of the series, then who is it for?
    If you are going to copy scenes panel for panel, then why make all the other sweeping changes? The first 5 episodes are pretty great. But why take everyone's favorite grizzled, foul-mouthed, cig smoking, Brit in John Constantine and replace him with the Cute-As-A-button Dr Who companion? Why take such a visually compelling Character like Death and just cast some in-vogue POC? Why does every character need to have a sex scene? Are all writer's just perverts now? And where is this series trademark ethereal vibes? Patton Oswald is the voice of Dream's Raven Matthew. And They couldn't have picked a more distracting voice actor. Basically everything other than Morpheus himself is wrong.
    Each time Matthew speaks it just completely takes me out of the show.
    I don't care if this was supervised by Niel Gaiman himself. The dude has lost it. And sold out. Then he goes on twitter and makes fun of someone for saying it looks woke. It's 100% absolutely woke.
    Don't piss on my leg and tell me it's raining.
    This sucks. I waited a long time to see an live action adaptation and it is poisoned by those obsessed with identity and sex. I hate this modern world and its owners.    … Expand
  14. kirkender
    Aug 9, 2022
    5
    I've only watched the first episode and it was pretty boring, but relatively faithful to the comic. I don't particularly like the CGI. The actor playing Dreams physically fits the role, but i find the voice horribly annoying (gravelly voice is so 2008) and his general presence to be very underwhelming. I haven't decided if I will watch more because it just made me want to re-read theI've only watched the first episode and it was pretty boring, but relatively faithful to the comic. I don't particularly like the CGI. The actor playing Dreams physically fits the role, but i find the voice horribly annoying (gravelly voice is so 2008) and his general presence to be very underwhelming. I haven't decided if I will watch more because it just made me want to re-read the comics, which are very good, and this show is very much not great.… Expand
  15. Anonanonamous
    Aug 10, 2022
    5
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. The episode with the man Dream grants immortality is beautiful. But this show is all over the place. Tone and mood go from dead serious to silly within the same scene numerous times. I loved it. I hated it. I loved it. I hated it. 5/10 needs editing. And to all those concern with the "lgbt" stuff need to get a **** hobby.… Expand
  16. Samvell
    Aug 10, 2022
    5
    With a solid budget and a grandiose scale, The Sandman had a huge potential for becoming one of the biggest, most memorable series of the decade. Unfortunately though what we got is a subpar fantasy detective, at times carried by solid performances by Sturridge, Holbrook and Thewlis, but sadly even their combined talents couldn't've turned this into something sensible and worth watching.With a solid budget and a grandiose scale, The Sandman had a huge potential for becoming one of the biggest, most memorable series of the decade. Unfortunately though what we got is a subpar fantasy detective, at times carried by solid performances by Sturridge, Holbrook and Thewlis, but sadly even their combined talents couldn't've turned this into something sensible and worth watching.

    Also there's a HUGE amount of SJW propaganda, which, without exaggeration, truly is the series' M-O. Almost every character that isn't gay or black is either an as*hole or just stupid and irrelevant. Dream is an obvious exception, but for some reason pretty much everyone around gives him a flak. Despite being incarcerated for over a century, everyone gives him sh*t as if he voluntarily abandoned his kingdom.

    More than that, the creators contradict themselves on numerous occasions, such as with Johanna. Her character is introduced to us as this strong, independent type woman, who cares a lot about money and very little about what others think of her. Yet, within the very same episode, we see her waking up at her home in the middle of the night with a full make up on and an impeccable hairstyle, which not only makes no sense whatsoever, but is also clearly aimed at appeasing straight male audience.

    The series has some good aspects about it. The aforementioned trio of actors is great, the music is fine, the visuals are ok too. But there's not much to it beyond that.    … Expand
  17. Morcheema
    Aug 5, 2022
    4
    Show started with promise but quickly just felt like an episode of doctor who with gore effects enabled. 24/7 was the only truly interesting episode of the season, and it had the least screen time of Dream - speaks volumes.
  18. VicFerrari
    Aug 15, 2022
    6
    Lavishly mounted production with uneven storytelling. The forced diversity feels contrived on large, tho Death is great (episode 6 is excellent) and Jenna Coleman captures the Constantine character on film better than any other so far. Unfortunately the last 4 episodes are terrible, like an insipid YA story, and a struggle to get through. What a shame.
  19. MetacriticOnur
    Aug 10, 2022
    6
    admirable
    [ ad-mer-uh-buhl ]

    adjective
    worthy of admiration; inspiring approval, reverence, or affection.
  20. night4
    Aug 29, 2022
    6
    I'm gay, and I think this show has too many gay characters. And besides that, it's kind of a mess. Some of it is great, much of it ridiculous, and all of it disjointed. It felt like they couldn't decide on what to do ahead of time.

    +1 for the cat story though.
  21. WatchinMovies
    Aug 23, 2022
    6
    Typical Neil Gaiman production; convoluted, interesting, captivating, boring at times and refreshing at others, high production value, variety of characters, good fantasy, wandering plot, good and bad acting. You get the picture. That being said, I'd rate this "it could be your cup of tea so give it a try."
  22. MemeSilenti
    Aug 19, 2022
    6
    Like some of people say here, it´s something with very high potential and to be good series, where I´m not saying it´s not in some aspects like the story, art component, visual form or the characters included... but... the everything is ruined or better breaks down by so many elements of rainbow capitalism together with "racial tolerance". I don´t know why Netflix uses such a violent formLike some of people say here, it´s something with very high potential and to be good series, where I´m not saying it´s not in some aspects like the story, art component, visual form or the characters included... but... the everything is ruined or better breaks down by so many elements of rainbow capitalism together with "racial tolerance". I don´t know why Netflix uses such a violent form within propagation or better to say implementation of these things into movies or series (it´s for sure commercial move). I guess it would not be such "toxic" and negative for some people if there would be used more peaceful form. To end, good old times of Netflix (for me Altered Carbon, Taboo or Alienist etc.). Now, it´s mostly garbage and time to time there is some a star shining... my subscription is close to "time to die"... but there is upcoming the young demagoguing generation which say, it´s great but they had not a chance to meet great or how say it...… Expand
  23. Stuart921
    Aug 18, 2022
    6
    This review is spoiler free...

    This show demonstrates some of the most potential in a show I have seen in a long time. The idea of other worldly beings, different realms and takes on human life is amazing, but this is rarely pushed. However, the main issue is creativity. This show gets stuck around places in London, the USA and Green Fantasy field worlds. They show you briefly some    This review is spoiler free...

    This show demonstrates some of the most potential in a show I have seen in a long time. The idea of other worldly beings, different realms and takes on human life is amazing, but this is rarely pushed.

    However, the main issue is creativity. This show gets stuck around places in London, the USA and Green Fantasy field worlds. They show you briefly some gargoyles, a pumpkin man, demons but they really had the opportunity to push these worlds.

    Thinking about people dreams have people flying, being in movies, doing magic, confronting issues, going through space, travelling to odd spaces that aren’t real. Again, with (Warner Brothers) being the people in charge this is barely touched.

    Additionally, in a bid to represent people they fill miss the mark, we seen an entire lack of diversity in a culturally respect. Anyone from a different country or accent would be interesting, or even a country beyond the USA or UK. Covering people from different countries and different parts of the world would really help reach their diversity in a natural way.

    Overall, this is enjoyable, but this rarely hits the heights is could.

    Sorry for any typos    … Expand
  24. AthanasiosT
    Jan 3, 2023
    6
    Sandman along with Lucifer and Constantine, are in my top favorite comics. The TV show wasn't bad. Nice graphics and images and pretty good adaptation of the original story, with some slight alterations. I was ok with Lucifer's female depiction, but I was disappointed with Constantine's appearance as a female witch. I mean, not every male character has to change into a female one, in orderSandman along with Lucifer and Constantine, are in my top favorite comics. The TV show wasn't bad. Nice graphics and images and pretty good adaptation of the original story, with some slight alterations. I was ok with Lucifer's female depiction, but I was disappointed with Constantine's appearance as a female witch. I mean, not every male character has to change into a female one, in order to follow modern political correctness. I really hope they do NOT make a Constantine tv show, with a female protagonist. The episode with the cats, was the best one.… Expand
  25. Heart_Idealism
    Oct 25, 2022
    5
    Feels like a two separate season cramped into one. With the first half get enough time for the overall development. And the second half completely overlooked, just like tossed it in for the sake of agendas. Who cares about character development? as long as we have a woke representative character everywhere. Don't make it deep, just enough for a face value one. And a typical underdevelopedFeels like a two separate season cramped into one. With the first half get enough time for the overall development. And the second half completely overlooked, just like tossed it in for the sake of agendas. Who cares about character development? as long as we have a woke representative character everywhere. Don't make it deep, just enough for a face value one. And a typical underdeveloped strong female character, that just there for the sake of posing and being overrated by everyone.

    The style is great, the narrative is unique. And there's some episodes that just uhm.. Movie Quality! But the overall attention get distracted more for making cool spectacle, it left the characters hollow and the narrative much to be desired    … Expand

Awards & Rankings

6
#6 Most Discussed TV Season of 2022

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
66

Generally favorable reviews - based on 28 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 17 out of 28
  2. Mixed: 9 out of 28
  3. Negative: 2 out of 28
  1. The Atlantic
    Reviewed by: David Sims
    Aug 23, 2022
    75
    At its best, the show is strong fantasy entertainment that functions as a great introduction to Gaiman’s writing. But the barrier to entry is high, and the cost of jumping into such an intricate saga might be too much for some.
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  2. Decider
    Reviewed by: Joel Keller
    Aug 5, 2022
    60
    While not our cup of tea, we definitely see how appealing The Sandman would be to fans of Gaiman and his work. We’re just not sure it’s particularly accessible to those of us who are new to the story.
    Read full review
  3. The Detroit News
    Reviewed by: Tom Long
    Aug 5, 2022
    75
    “The Sandman” stands out visually. A parade of fine actors — Joely Richardson, Charles Dance, Stephen Fry — weave in and out, with David Thewlis particularly strong as an escaped mental patient. Still, the show remains comic-book thin on character and plot conveniences are everywhere. “The Sandman” dreams of being more than it is, but it’s still pretty good.
    Read full review
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