The Sandman season 2 brings back Morpheus, the gloomy god of dreams, played by Tom Sturridge. Morpheus, also known as Dream or the Sandman , rules a magical dream world and controls our subconscious visions. Yet, even this immortal being can’t escape relationship troubles. At one point, he tells his partner, “Ten thousand years ago, I condemned you to hell. I think perhaps I should apologise.” That sets the tone for the new season of The Sandman.
A darker, moodier take on fantasy
This show is not your typical fantasy epic. Instead of lush landscapes, epic battles, or thrilling monsters, it focuses on a moody figure in a long black coat who trudges through adventures like boring chores. Season two starts with Dream trying to fix a huge mistake — rescuing his queen Nada (Deborah Oyelade), who is still angry after being trapped in hell for ten thousand years.
To fix things, Dream negotiates with Lucifer (Gwendoline Christie), portrayed as a tired and worn-out ruler of hell. He then hosts a strange meeting of various dark and mythical creatures in his dimly lit dream castle. Afterward, he attempts to mend broken family ties after centuries of alienation.
A hero who’s more emo than epic
Unlike other fantasy shows with brave warriors, The Sandman centers on an emo, sulky hero who often hides in the shadows, speaking in a flat, gloomy tone. Tom Sturridge fits the role perfectly with his sharp cheekbones and heavy-lidded eyes. His black and white outfits and backcombed hair even give off an ’80s goth band vibe. But despite this style, the character rarely entertains. Even when performing amazing feats, like destroying Thor’s hammer or granting Shakespeare immortality, Dream treats these moments as dull chores.
Teenage moodiness meets mythology
The show feels like a metaphor for teenage frustration — having great power but getting angry reactions when trying to use it, leading to more moodiness. While it borrows from Greek, Norse, and Christian myths, it doesn’t fully explore them. One storyline features Orpheus (Ruairi O’Connor), Dream’s son, retelling the Eurydice myth in a straightforward way. The show tries to add a twist, mostly because it includes a talking severed head, which looks cool but doesn’t add much depth. Another episode visits a transgender friend in modern New York, offering a good message but without subtlety.
Dialogue that often misses the mark
Some lines from Dream are awkward to hear. For example, he says, “Tales and dreams are the shadow truths that will endure when mere facts are dust and ashes and forgot.” It sounds flat, especially when whispered gloomily. After managing hell for a while, he muses, “Hell is heaven’s reflection. They define one another. Without hell, heaven has no meaning.” After millions of years, he still sounds like a preacher trying too hard on social media.
Ideas buried under pretension
The Sandman has plenty of creative ideas but smothers them in heavy, pretentious gloom. Dream’s amazing ability to shape human dreams barely gets shown. Even the sarcastic talking dog, voiced by Steve Coogan, fails to bring much comic relief, mainly because the jokes don’t land.
Worth to watch?
The Sandman is on Netflix now. It’s a unique, moody take on fantasy with stunning visuals and great actors, but it sometimes feels weighed down by its own gloom and awkward dialogue. If you like dark, slow-burning stories with a gothic vibe, it might be worth a look — but don’t expect much light or fun.
