‘The Sandman’ Season 2 Volume 1 Review: A Slow But Fantastical Start

When The Sandman released its first look back in 2021 at the ill-fated DC FanDome, I was enamoured. From its fantastic, spooky vibe to its gorgeous production design, it grabbed my attention and did not let go until release. I instantly read up on the comic run that inspired the series, and was delighted when it came to the actual release of the show in August 2022. Read our The Sandman Season 2 Volume 1 review.

The Sandman Season 1 followed Morpheus (Tom Sturridge), as he, the waking world, and The Dreaming recover from an abduction at the hands of the Burgess family. Soon, he must face dreams, nightmares, and the waking world, and save the realm from a dream vortex.

The Sandman Season 1 is ultimately flawed, but a deeply faithful and compelling adaptation of the Neil Gaiman comic books. From its beautiful messaging and heartfelt performances to the trippy concepts, it had it all. Despite its huge success at Netflix, the show went on hiatus for a whopping three years, and following a slew of allegations thrown at original writer Gaiman, the show is now in its final season. 

Season 2 Volume 1 picks up where we left off, with Lucifer angry at Morpheus for humiliating her. The show follows the fallout of that in an unexpected way that I thought fit quite well. It’s handled over the first three episodes, whilst another plot centred around other members of The Endless, Delirium and Destruction, belongs to the last three episodes of Volume 1. The plot itself is interesting and the characters it introduces are even more interesting, but I believe the praise for this first set of six episodes belongs with the performances. 

Tom Sturridge is less reactive this season than the last, but still maintains that strong omniscient presence that his character so heavily requires. He is quite literally the heart and soul of the series, and without this strong performance, it would all fall apart. Esmé Creed-Miles is downright lovely as Delirium and balances some of that stoicism that Sturridge so heavily emits. Other cast members remain good, but nothing to write home about, which perhaps is praise in of itself, as they blend and belong in the world so easily that you barely realise it’s acting.

I am interested in where the rest of this season goes with the story, as the first season so heavily teased the rest of it with each continuing episode, but here I feel left in the dark. Additionally, a plot here mirrors another adaptation of the same comic book, the 2016 series Lucifer, and it’s fun pointing out the differences and similarities between the adaptations of this plot point. 

The Sandman Season 2 Volume 1 serves as a great pickup from the first series, working hard to continue the story that was left behind and giving ample time for a great cast to give even greater performances.

The Sandman Season 2 Volume 1 stars Tom Sturridge as Morpheus, Kirby Howell-Baptiste as Death, Gwendoline Christie as Lucifer, Patton Oswalt as Matthew, Jenna Coleman as Johanna Constantine, Vivienne Acheampong as Lucienne, Adrian Lester as Destiny, Esmé Creed-Miles as Delirium, and Barry Sloane as Destruction.

The Sandman Season 2 Volume 1 is now streaming on Netflix worldwide.

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