The Sandman Story:-
The opening scenes of Netflix’s The Sandman are nothing short of breathtaking. We witness a magnificent raven soaring from the realm of humans into the domain of the enigmatic Sandman (Tom Sturridge). Reality warps in impossible angles, radiant light emanates from mysterious sources, and creatures of nightmares and dreams intertwine in an eternal library that folds upon itself. Yet, this is a world familiar to us, the realm we enter when we close our eyes. Through his voiceover, the Sandman challenges the notion that dreams are innocuous, prompting us to ponder the profound impact of our dreams on our desires and fears.
Movie Ratings
| Release Date | 5 August 2022 |
| Language | English |
| Genre | Drama, Fantasy |
| Cast | Tom Sturridge, Gwendoline Christie, Vivienne Acheampong, Boyd Holbrook, Charles Dance, Asim Chaudhry, Sanjeev Bhaskar, Kirby Howell-Baptiste, Mason Alexander Park, Donna Preston, Jenna Coleman, Niamh Walsh, Joely Richardson, David Thewlis, Kyo Ra, Stephen Fry, Razane Jammal, Sandra James Young, Patton Oswalt |
| Producer | Allan Heinberg, Neil Gaiman, David S. Goyer |
| Production | DC Entertainment, Warner Bros. Television |
| Certificate | 18+ |
The Sandman is a dark fantasy horror comic series crafted primarily by Neil Gaiman, who also served as an executive producer and writer for the Netflix adaptation. It chronicles the tale of a formidable being who governs all dreams and nightmares, as well as his interactions with the human realm. We witness his odysseys across history, shaping monumental events, and voyages to realms such as Hell—a domain spawned by human apprehensions. In its inaugural season, Netflix adapts Gaiman’s initial two volumes: Preludes & Nocturnes and The Doll’s House.
However, to merely label it as an “adaptation” would be an understatement. The series emerges as perhaps the most faithful screen adaptation of expansive fantasy literature since Peter Jackson’s The Lord of the Rings trilogy. Every beat, iconic frame, line of dialogue, and detail of performers’ makeup and attire faithfully mirrors the source material, save for minor alterations.
Without delving into spoilers, let me offer a glimpse into the narrative. In 1916 England, a power-hungry aristocrat known as the Magus (portrayed by Charles Dance) seeks dominion over death. His quest leads to a perilous ritual intended to ensnare Death herself, the Sandman’s sister. However, the ritual inadvertently captures Dream, alias the Sandman, along with his potent artifacts. The repercussions of Death’s capture manifest as a mysterious sleeping malaise afflicting millions. Trapped in an exquisitely designed glass prison, Dream maintains a stoic silence, refusing to divulge any information to his captors. Centuries pass, and upon his eventual liberation in the present day, Dream returns to find his realm abandoned, desolate, and fractured. To restore order to the world of dreams, he embarks on a quest to reclaim his stolen artifacts.
The series delves into Dream’s encounters with an array of characters, from a working-class exorcist to a man-child wielding divine powers. Amidst brutal battles between celestial and infernal forces, Dream endeavors to mend the chaos wrought by his absence.
In the subsequent arc, Dream seeks out a vortex—an entity named Rose Walker (portrayed by Vanesu Samunyai)—who unwittingly draws all dreams to herself, threatening to collapse the boundaries between waking and dream worlds and hastening the universe’s demise. Expect a journey fraught with childhood trauma, encounters with a gallery of serial killers, and the camaraderie of a diverse household including lesbian spider enthusiasts, a Ken and Barbie duo, and a drag queen.
As Dream grapples with the necessity of adaptation and change to prevent future calamity, he confronts the consequences of his leadership and the need for evolution in his own realm. Through his trials, he learns that restoration entails more than mere repair—it demands transformation and growth.
Dream’s somewhat godlike perspective on humanity allows us to contemplate human quirks and sensitivities: why do we fear death, why do we pursue shallow dreams, why do we sacrifice so much for love and friendship, and why do we yearn for immortality despite the pain inherent in life? While these questions remain unanswered, Dream’s increasing curiosity about human nature sparks engaging conversations and writing.
Amidst these contemplations, we witness Dream managing Rose Walker’s transformation into a vortex, engaging in a battle of wits with Lucifer, confronting nightmares, and striving to prevent the universe’s inevitable demise.
One of the aspects that drew me to the book series was its foundation as a psychological horror story set against a cosmic backdrop, delicately painted with threads of hope. Intimate stories occupy as much, if not more, space than those involving beings more powerful than gods. For instance, Rose Walker embarks on a quest to find her missing brother, navigating encounters with serial killers and talking ravens while teetering on the brink of universe-altering consequences.
This dynamic is exemplified in episode six, “The Sound of Her Wings,” where we encounter Kirby Howell-Baptiste’s portrayal of Death, the second-eldest of the ancient embodiments. As Death herself states, she will be the one to tidy up and extinguish the lights when the last living being takes their final breath in the universe. Throughout the episode, we witness the profound significance of individual lives as Death accompanies them in their final moments, blending the weight of their existence with the realization of its abrupt end. Howell-Baptiste’s Death embodies a gentle, comforting presence, akin to one who guides souls to their next journey. It’s a darkly beautiful exploration of purpose, as Death reflects on her role and journey towards embracing compassion over fear. Life may end, but its meaning and impact persist, transforming a period into an ellipsis.
While the series remains faithful to the essence of the comics, it introduces several intriguing changes:
- John Dee (portrayed by David Thewlis) is portrayed as more child-like and less menacing compared to his comic book counterpart. However, episode five (“24/7”) faithfully reconstructs the infamous bottle issue from the diner (“24 Hours”), capturing its gore, dread, and surrealism.
- In the series, Hell is solely ruled by Lucifer (played by Gwendoline Christie) at this stage.
- Departing from the books, Dream enlists the aid of Johanna Constantine (a creation of Neil Gaiman), diverging from the iconic John Constantine. While not a smoker, Johanna embodies the snarky, misanthropic demeanor and bisexual identity reminiscent of John, viewing exorcisms as trivial nuisances rather than cataclysmic events.
Speaking of casting, I won’t linger on the gender-flipped characters, as the genders of the book characters were largely inconsequential to their narratives. However, I was pleasantly surprised by the representation of Black women in prominent roles, not merely as background characters but as recurring, central figures: Rose Walker (portrayed by Vanesu Samunyai), her mother (played by Andi Osho), and her grandmother (enacted by Sandra James-Young) play integral roles in the story. Additionally, Dream’s librarian and the guardian of the dream world, Lucienne, is portrayed by Vivienne Acheampong, while Death, as previously mentioned, is brought to life by Kirby Howell-Baptiste. Ann Ogbomo shines as a nightmare that helps reshape Death’s perspective on purpose.
And let’s not overlook the casting of nonbinary performer Mason Alexander Park as Dream’s nonbinary sibling, Desire. Moreover, sexuality is portrayed as a spectrum throughout the series, with heterosexuality never assumed and queer relationships or moments left uncommented upon.
In the end, The Sandman surpassed not only my expectations but even my wildest dreams. While it delves into themes of sadness, horror, and melancholy, I never felt overwhelmed by these emotions. Instead, buoyed by themes of trust, wholesomeness, and acceptance, the series simultaneously confronts the darkness of humanity and our existence in a terrifying and unknowable world, while also highlighting how our shared humanity unites us to face the world’s failures and our deepest fears. It’s like glimpsing a flame of hope through a black-painted glass jar.
The Sandman is streaming on Netflix now.
