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Yahoo
27-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Netflix's The Sandman ends (for now) on a disjointed note
This time around, Netflix's The Sandman adapts Neil Gaiman's magnum opus The Kindly Ones. The original work boasts multiple intriguing plot points and character arcs, polishing off the comic series (which ran for seven years) as a cohesive narrative that benefits from repeated readings. The series is less successful and more disjointed, primarily due to its haphazard approach to the material. Morpheus (Tom Sturridge) is dealing with the consequences from having ended his son Orpheus's (Ruairi O'Connor) life. It's a serious offense in the Endless to 'spill family blood,' and Desire (Mason Alexander Park) had tried to trick Morpheus into doing just that. Of course, Orpheus wanted to die—he had lived too long already and was just a head, which is limiting socially. Yet, despite inflicting deliberately crueler fates on others who have crossed him, Morpheus' undoing might come from his most selfless, compassionate act. The narrative doesn't actually address or question the arbitrary absurdity of these rules for long and instead leaps directly into Greek tragedy. The Eumenides, also known as the Furies, were the Greek deities of divine vengeance and retribution. The Greeks often referred to them as 'the Kindly Ones,' out of both polite deference and abject fear. These were not ladies you wanted to annoy, and Dinita Gohil, Nina Wadia, and Souad Faress are suitably creepy as the less-than-kind Furies. It's appropriate for a tale modeled off Greek tragedy that Morpheus clumsily sets in motion his own downfall. He seeks out Loki (Freddie Fox), who's hiding on Earth in a disguise that's tasteless yet fitting and hopes to enlist his aid against the vengeance-seeking Furies. Loki owes Morpheus his current freedom, but the god of mischief is not someone who pays his debts. He'd sooner eliminate whoever holds the IOU. So Loki, with his partner Puck (Jack Gleeson), sets out to frame Morpheus for an unimaginable crime. He doesn't manipulate or trick Morpheus into committing the act himself, a true Oedipus Rex-worthy twist. However, Loki's machinations produce two tragic heroes in one story. Lyta Hall (Razane Jammal) is easily convinced—too easily, in fact—that Morpheus has horribly wronged her, and her immense grief is forged into a weapon of destruction. Her frustrating gullibility makes it hard to sympathize with her, and it's just no fun to watch a thoroughly stupid antagonist. Fortunately, Fox is delightful as the dastardly Loki—a very different spin on the character if you're mostly familiar with Tom Hiddleston's more benevolent version in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Fox even resembles a young David Bowie, who was the model for Gaiman's Lucifer. It's not hard to imagine Fox's character as the more comics-accurate former ruler of Hell, even if he can't own a nightclub on this particular Netflix show. Loki is often mythically linked to fire, which he demonstrates in some shocking moments when the series swerves into horror. Meanwhile, Gleeson is especially compelling as a morally conflicted Puck. The series offers his character deeper layers than those found in the source material, and he delivers admirably. However, the season's undisputed standouts are Jenna Coleman as Johanna Constantine (the show's version of DC's occult detective John Constantine) and Boyd Holbrook as the Corinthian, a reformed foe from the first season. Coleman brings excitement to the screen wherever she's present, and her chemistry with Holbrook is electric. His character is a literal nightmare, but hers has dated worse. Alas, Sturridge is as placid and intentionally one-note as ever, even when facing life-altering events—and Johanna Constantine is sadly correct when she pegs Morpheus as having no sense of humor. Classic tragedies involve the flawed hero desperately seeking to avoid his preordained fate. There is some of that here but also far too much standing in place. Morpheus often delivers ponderous monologues to characters who function more like emotional brick walls. These scenes go nowhere and are incredibly tedious. Catharsis is also a pivotal part of a good tragedy, and the series denies us this from Morpheus in any authentic way. He says at one point, 'I am not a man and I do not change,' and while we're told that this isn't true, we don't actually see it. The show's limited visual imagination has been noted on this site already, but this remains an issue. In the comics, Morpheus' world was often as unpredictable and fantastic as Willy Wonka's chocolate factory. In the show, it all feels like a supernatural The Tudors but with far less sex. (Douglas Booth, as the magically handsome Cluracan, too often seems like he's auditioning for that Showtime series.) Realms that should astound our senses are instead depicted with moody lighting and uncomfortable furniture. And with the exception of Merv Pumpkinhead (humorously voiced by Mark Hamill), most of the mythical creatures wouldn't look out of place on a London city street during business hours. Ultimately, The Sandman spends two seasons building to an epic conclusion that maddeningly lands (for now) with a thud. (The show drops a bonus episode on July 31.) This batch can come off as endless, with characters simply telling us what they feel, which will only make viewers angry or, at best, bored. For decades, it's been said that Gaiman's work was unfilmable, and this series only backs up that idea. The Sandman just fails to dream. The Sandman season two, volume two premieres July 24 on Netflix More from A.V. Club Star Trek: Strange New Worlds boldly finding out if "puppet episode" still feels like a creative gimmick First Star Trek: Starfleet Academy trailer knows not to skimp on the Holly Hunter Staff Picks: A historical fiction podcast, and a drummer gone too soon Solve the daily Crossword
Scotsman
01-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Scotsman
When is The Sandman Season 2 coming out? Here is the release date for all episodes on Netflix
Netflix will release the first six episodes of The Sandman Season 2 on July 3, but the final six episodes won't arrive until later in the month. Sign up to our Arts and Culture newsletter, get the latest news and reviews from our specialist arts writers Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... After an almost three year wait, fans of The Sandman will soon be able to enjoy season 2 of The Sandman. The first six episodes of the fantasy series will premiere on Netflix on Thursday, July 3 with the final five episodes arriving later in the month, followed by a final special bonus episode. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The upcoming final season of The Sandman will see Tom Sturridge reprise his role as Dream, alongside returning cast members including Vivienne Acheampong, Patton Oswalt, Gwendoline Christie, Kirby Howell-Baptiste, and Mason Alexander Park. Meanwhile, new additions to the series include Esmé Creed-Miles, Adrian Lester, and Barry Sloane, as well as Steve Coogan, Jack Gleeson, Clive Russell and more. Jack Gleeson as Puck in episode eight of The Sandman, season 2. | Netflix If you're looking forward to watching the conclusion of The Sandman, here's when each episode will be released. The Sandman Season 2: Episode release schedule If you are in the UK, you will be able to watch the first six episodes of The Sandman Season 2 on Thursday, July 3. The next five episodes of the series will then be released on Thursday, July 24, with a bonus special episode to be released on Thursday, July 31. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad What time will The Sandman be released on Netflix? All episodes of The Sandman Season 2 will be released on Netflix at 8am (BST). The Sandman Season 2 episode titles Showrunners have promised that fans of the series will have some surprises left in store when the episodes drop on Netflix, though there are a number of episode titles which directly reference issues of the comics. Adapting some fan-favourite stories, here are all of The Sandman Season 2 episode titles. Thursday, July 3: Volume One Chapter 1: Season of Mists Chapter 2: The Ruler of Hell Chapter 3: More Devils Than Vast Hell Can Hold Chapter 4: Brief Lives Chapter 5: The Song of Orpheus Chapter 6: Family Blood Thursday, July 24: Volume Two Chapter 7: Time and Night Chapter 8: Fuel for the Fire Chapter 9: The Kindly Ones Chapter 10: Long Live the King Chapter 11: A Tale of Graceful Ends Thursday, July 31: Special Bonus Episode Chapter 12: Death: The High Cost of Living Mason Alexander Park as Desire, Donna Preston as Despair, Barry Sloane as Destruction, Esme Creed-Miles as Delirium in episode 5, season 2 of The Sandman. | Ed Miller/Netflix Season 2 of The Sandman on Netflix was always going to be its last Unlike the graphic novels the show is based on – which span ten volumes – according to showrunner Allan Heinberg, they always knew the Netflix adaptation would 'exclusively' focus on Dream's story. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad He explained: 'The Sandman series has always been focused exclusively on Dream's story, and back in 2022, when we looked at the remaining Dream material from the comics, we knew we only had enough story for one more season. 'We are extremely grateful to Netflix for bringing the team back together and giving us the time and resources to make a faithful adaptation in a way that we hope will surprise and delight the comics' loyal readers as well as fans of our show.'
Yahoo
17-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
The best queer films and TV shows to watch in Pride month, as picked by the stars
It's Pride month and that means it is the perfect time for the public to sit down and watch some queer films or TV shows to celebrate, and Yahoo UK has an extensive list of what viewers should get stuck into. Through our interview series Queer Voices Yahoo UK has asked the brightest stars of the LGBTQ+ community which stories they have connected with over the years, or wish they could have had when they were younger. And together it makes for a compelling watchlist for those in need of a queer film or two to celebrate the community this month. From actors like Layton Williams and Mason Alexander Park to comedians like Suzi Ruffell and Jordan Gray, there are a wide array of projects that you may or may not have heard of. Either way, they should be your next go-to pick when you've settled into the sofa for the night. Queer stories are often set in the big cities but National Anthem does things differently, it is set against a the backdrop of the American South to deliver a wholly new perspective on the community in the US. The film, which was recommended by star Mason Alexander Park, follows the experience of a construction worker who joins a community of queer rodeo performers who hope to make their version of the American dream Mason Alexander Park said: "I am in a lot of films and TV shows I wish I had as a kid, shows like The Sandman or National Anthem, a film that I did recently that meant a lot to me. As someone who was born in the South, in America, I really had never seen queerness represented in places outside of major metropolitan cities. It's so easy to set a show in New York or Los Angeles and have your queer characters flourish in that regard, but often you don't really see queer people thriving in the American Southwest and so that was a big reason why I took that job on National Anthem. Where to watch: Channel 4 Netflix's adaptation of Heartstopper, the beloved comic series by Alice Oseman, has recevied a lot of love from Queer Voices guests, with almost all of them name-checking the show as a near-perfect example of positive queer representation. The series follows the love story between teens Charlie (Joe Locke) and Nick (Kit Connor) as they navigate school life, their feelings for one another, and their identities. Danny Beard said: "What Heartstopper has done for a generation is incredible and every one of those cast members deserves the world. I'm lucky enough to know Yaz Finney from way before Yaz was on Heartstopper, she in fact was one of my backing dancers at Pride on a pair of roller skates the year she'd filmed it, and it had not been announced, and she's the most beautiful, genuine soul. [She's a] stunning actor, she's just beautiful so to see her on that platform and help and encourage so many other people on their journeys and then go on to be a cover star fashion is amazing. This whole generation of queer celebs and queer influencers are all incredible, and I wish when I was younger I had my own version of Heartstopper." Where to watch: Netflix Starring Nathan Stewart-Jarrett and George MacKay, the dark drama follows gay man Jules who is the subject of a horrific homophobic attack and decides to get revenge on one of the men involved after meeting him again in a gay sauna. The film was recommended by Layton Williams for being a great example of a queer film that delves deeper into important societal issues. Layton Williams said: "Credit where credit's due when it comes to the Heartstoppers of the world. As bubbly as it is I wish we could live in a world where it was all so perfect, but it's so nice for some people to see things that are a nice, positive representation of us. "I also do think though, and maybe this is controversial, but it's not all day, everyday, nicey-nicey when it comes to queer people. There's so much trauma, so I also like the kind of shows that go into the darkness of queer culture as well, because in reality that is what happens for a lot of people when they feel like they have a straight jacket on for so long. There's films like Femme [that examine that], I'm going to be working with Nathan next year so I'm excited, he's such a talent and my best friend John McCrea is in it." Where to watch: Netflix Based on the moving real-life events, Pride explores how gay activisits came together to help miners in their struggle to be heard during the National Union of Mineworkers in the summer of 1984. Pride is a joyful film about community and love, and gives great insight into a little known part of British history. Suzi Ruffell said: I wish films like Pride existed when I was younger. I love that movie, it's such a good film, I love it, I've seen it lots of times. Where to watch: Available to buy and rent. It is undeniable that Russell T Davies has had a huge impact on queer representation in British television, and one of his best loved shows from guests of Queer Voices is Queer as Folk. The drama follows the lives of a group of gay friends in Manchester, and the series had a massive impact when it first aired so it comes as no surprise that it has so often been recommended. James Barr said: "Queer as Folk and the concept of chosen family. Really came through that show so honestly, I think that's probably one of the biggest influences in my life and it showed me that there were other people just like me." Where to watch: Channel 4 Sign up to NOW Bisexual representation on screen can still be hard to come by, but Hacks is a prime example of how well a series can explore the subject whilst avoiding harmful stereotypes. The Sky series follows the mentorship between comedian Deborah Vance (Jean Smart) and outcast Ava Daniels (Hannah Einbinder). Suzi Ruffell said: "I love Hacks, there's a character that's bisexual — actually there's a number of characters that are queer in one way or another — but one of the leads is bisexual, and it's not a big deal, and I think that's really important as well. It's just part of her life, it's actually not an enormous part of the storytelling. Her relationships are, but her queerness isn't and I love that she just happens to be gay." Where to watch: Sky and NOW Reality TV can be a comfort for queer people, just look at how much the LGBTQ+ community loves shows like Big Brother, but all too often dating shows fail to cater to queer people. The BBC decided to change that with their respective shows I Kissed A Boy and I Kissed A Girl, with the latter recommended by presenter Harriet Rose for its wealth of lesbian representation not often seen on screen. Harriet Rose said: "I Kissed a Girl is a show I would have loved to have growing up, I would have loved to have watched girls snogging on telly, that would have been amazing. I would have loved to have had anything with a queer storyline, I'm telling you now you could create the worst TV show I've ever seen in my life I will watch it if it has a queer storyline, I don't care, if there is a girl that fancies another girl I'm sold." Where to watch: BBC iPlayer Another series that features a diverse range of queer characters is Orange is the New Black, one of Netflix's earliest global hits. The series followed the lives of a number of female inmates and their loves, struggles and connection behind bars, it also most importantly featured one of the first significant trans characters on screen: Sophia Burset played by Laverne Cox which is why it was trans comedian Jordan Gray's choice of recommendation. Jordan Gray said: "The first time I got proper excited about seeing a transgender person on television was Laverne Cox in Orange is the New Black because she handled it with such grace and just brought so much more to the character than just that tokenistic element. It's a very important story to tell, but it was more than that. "It can absolutely be a kicking off point for a story or in comedy, but only as a way to open the door and talk about other things. I much prefer talking about things like Batman, and bread, and dogs, but you sort of have to get over that first bit first so that you're ingratiated with an audience. And I like shows that only treat it as a small part of the story like Orange is the New Black." Where to watch: Netflix
