Overview: In 1916, an aging aristocrat used mystic means to ensnare and imprison Lord Morpheus (Tom Sturridge), the living personification of dreams and sleep. Now, the elder being has slipped his confinement, and returned to his other-dimensional realm of the Dreaming to undo the chaos that has flourished in his absence.

Blu-ray Verdict: If I were asked who of the people living on earth is the most versed in human souls, I would answer this without hesitation - Neil Gaiman.

The Netflix series The Sandman was produced by Warner Bros. Studios and is based on the eponymous comic book published by DC Comics. Funnily enough, the series turned out to be the only successful attempt from the numerous previously made adaptations of the original source. Apparently, the author Neil Gaiman himself played an important role in this, as he became a co-author of the script for the series and an active participant in production.

At first blush, the series appears to be a Dark Fantasy, but upon closer examination one can see a diverse range of genres, from melodrama episodes through to bloody Tarantino-style thrillers. It also encompasses gothic darkness, moments of a fairy tale quality, blood-chilling horrors, family drama, cabaret scenes, black humor, and a lot of grunge-style cinematography.

All the characters in Sandman, like most of Gaiman’s characters, are described in the characteristic handwriting of the author. Each character is unique, captivating the imagination and leaving a lasting impression with their portrayal. Throughout the series, let alone these 11 debut season episodes, new characters appear on the screen one after another, breaking your stereotypes.

They can surprise even the most seasoned viewers and fantasy genre enthusiasts. Neil Gaiman doesn’t rely on clichés. Series wise, could Lady Brienne from Game of Thrones and Lucifer Lord of Hell have the same face? Maybe, you’ll see that for your own eyes, trust me.

The contrast between the twilight of traditional London and the flashy American style further emphasizes the confrontation between Morpheus and his former creation and the main antagonist of the series, the Corinthian. Here you can actually make a reference to American Gods, which unfolds the confrontation between the ancient Gods and the glossy modern Gods in the style of American Hollywood.

It is worth noting that the plot is imprisoned in the standards of the trends of modern serials, without which today’s Western cinema industry is probably impossible. It may seem that there is too much with some of the mandatory elements of modern cinema, as if the creators of The Sandman between the lines are silently saying: Yes, yes, look, we have a lot of this.

Whether you see it or not, whether there are hints there or not, it is impossible to say for sure. You never know what can be imagined in a film about dreams.

In the final 11th two-part story collection episode, centered around the character Calliope, the muse who inspires writers, we see the portrayal of a captive and coerced muse. This raises reflections on the freedom of the creative individual in the modern world, where society dictates mandatory standards. Let’s leave the answer outside the brackets.

It is worth recognizing that the creators of the series still managed to pick up the cast. And they took their time doing so. For example, the casting for the lead role lasted for 8 months. In the acting of the family of immortals: Death, Passion, Suffering and Fate, outstanding stage abilities are not noticeable, but this does not mean that the viewer will remain indifferent.

In conclusion, in the worlds of Neil Gaiman there is always a place for deep meaning, allusions, irony, feelings and unpredictable twists. The Sandman series is no exception. This is a very exciting dive into the wilds of the human imagination, where much can resonate within yourself. Thus, if you haven’t watched it yet, I highly recommend you doing so.

Special Features:
The Sandman: Behind-The-Scenes Sneak Peek (1:53)
The World Of The Endless (3:07)