The Sandman is a mysterious, unintelligible yet strangely attractive series. It is one of the highly-anticipated new series on Netflix this fall. Since the series was officially released on August 5th, it has been creating a wave of exciting discussion among movie buffs and the original fans. But what makes “The Sandman” so attractive to audiences all over the world? Let’s decipher five reasons why this series is so successful.
The mysterious color in “The Sandman” plot
The first reason why “The Sandman” is so well-received is the fascinating plot with mysterious color. The Sandman is based on Neil Gaiman’s comic book series from 1989 to 1996 of the same name, which is one of the few comic works on The New York Times best-seller list. And it is also one of the top five most watched comics from 1983 to 2008, according to Entertainment Weekly magazine.
The Sandman is a fantasy drama series centered on Morpheus (Dream of The Endless), the King of Dreams, who has finally escaped after being imprisoned for 105 years. When he finally escapes, he embarks on an epic journey to reclaim his powers. On that journey, Morpheus encountered many different people such as Lucifer Morningstar, Mazikeen, and his six siblings of the Endless: Destiny, Death, Destruction, Desire, Despair, and Delirium.
The fidelity to its original comics
Secondly, the unwritten rule that determines the success of a film adaptation is the fidelity to its original works. From “Game of Thrones” to “Lord of the Rings,” the adherence to the original has helped these blockbuster films achieve global applause. And “The Sandman” is of no difference. Neil Gaiman, the author of this series, was also involved in the production of this film. In addition to being the author of comics, Gaiman is also known as a novelist, journalist, critic, and producer. He has embarked on adapting his own story from the page to the screen.
The original plot has received a lot of praise for its mystery and hidden philosophy. The production team, including the author, worked hard to capture the spirit of the original in every detail and frame. Furthermore, the film script is still added and adjusted many details to avoid confusing the audience, as well as to develop its own uniqueness.
“The Sandman” has the brilliant cast
Last but not least, the talented cast is also a bright spot that makes a great success for the film. Neil Gaiman and the production team including directors Allan Heinberg and David S. Goyer always strive to best convey the spirit of the original, especially in the casting process.
Tom Sturridge, the actor for the character Morpheus, was chosen with a fierce ratio of 1:1500. As a result, Tom Sturridge has transformed into the Lord of Dreams with the appearance and demeanor of just like stepping out of a book page. In particular, the actor has practiced having a soft voice, and many nasal sounds, with the dark and solemn aura of a Lord who has many confidants.
In addition to Morpheus, Lucifer Morningstar, a character that does not fit the comic’s ideal, still faithfully portrays the spirit of the original. In The Sandman, the Lord of Hell was played by actress Gwendoline Christie – a rather bold decision when going against the usual masculine image of Lucifer. With a tall and imposing physique, Christie’s image in the film also depicts Lucifer’s genderless nature more faithfully.
Despite making minimal marketing investments, the movie still had great success. “The Sandman” earned 127.5 million hours of viewing in its first week on Netflix, more than any other new release, and it kept up its momentum in the weeks that followed. On movie forums and fan pages, this fantasy series is still a hot topic of conversation. If you still don’t watch it, check it out now.