Netflix’s adaptation of Neil Gaiman’s graphic novels is a visual treat stuffed full with interesting characters, story arcs

Watching “The Sandman,” Netflix’s adaptation of the massively popular Neil Gaiman graphic novels, is a little like being in a dream: a little disorientating, maybe a bit unnerving, but ultimately fantastical. Across 11 episodes, the fantasy drama unspools an engrossing story of magic, deceit, love, cruelty, friendship and, at its beating heart, what it means to be human — for better or worse.

Probably like many who will watch this adaptation, I wasn’t familiar with the graphic novels going in. Thankfully, you don’t need to be. The series takes a respectful amount of time to introduce you to this magical world, making sure you understand the basic premise that’s being adapted — and what a premise. 

Like the source material, “The Sandman” opens with a ritual to summon Death. (Cozy, right?) But, because to err is human, the lovely chanting cultists accidentally call Dream (aka the Sandman, Morpheus and Oneiros, among other names). And, because humanity can be really awful (a theme that pops up more than once), they decide they’re going to imprison Dream and take away his powerful magical tools until he starts handing out immortality, eternal youth and whatnot like gift bags at a party.

It’s no spoiler to say that, after a century, Dream eventually escapes, and the rest of the series contends with the fallout of Dream’s capture. Turns out keeping the being responsible for dreaming locked away for decades can have a deleterious affect on humanity. His absence has also led to the decay of his own once-stunning realm, the Dreaming, along with many of the magical creatures who resided there having left, seeing no point to stay without their lord.

Speaking of, Tom Sturridge gives an ethereal, mesmerizing performance as Dream of the Endless. (The Endless are a group of seven powerful family members who are are responsible for the function related to their name: Death handles the dying, Dream handles dreaming, etc.) Dream goes through an evolution from a self-absorbed lord highly resistant to change to something more akin to a hero, and Sturridge imbues that growth with charm and subtly — a rueful smile here, a piercing glare there. The fact that he’s a near-perfect physical manifestation of the how Dream is described in the comics — milky white skin, a shock of midnight-black hair — just adds to the effect. 

The first couple of episodes in “The Sandman” can feel a bit fetch-questy, as Dream works to acquire the tools that were stolen from him, but that’s OK because you’ll be happy just to learn more about this darkly fascinating world. Case in point: Two of the series’ best episodes — one in which a diner’s patrons can’t lie anymore, resulting in bloody bedlam; the other a surprisingly heartfelt, centuries-long tale of a human who can’t die — don’t really have anything to do with Dream at all. It’s a testament to the source material, and its adaptation, that it can be so intriguing without the main character being around. 

Much of the adaptation hews close to the graphic novels, meaning longtime fans won’t be in for many true surprises. For the rest, though, the stakes steadily increase as the series goes on: duels in Hell, supernatural family drama, missing kids, serial killers, the possible end of the world and horny tension galore. (Everyone is either having sex or wanting to have to sex.) It’s a lot, admittedly, but the stellar main cast — particularly Boyd Holbrook as the devastatingly charming nightmare known as the Corinthian; and Vivienne Acheampong as Lucienne, the no-nonsense raven-turned-librarian of the Dreaming — more than keep your attention.

The true standout, though, are the visuals, particularly in the Dreaming and during dreams. The detail work is gorgeous — swirling sand and ash, a raven in flight, a castle’s ruins — but “The Sandman” also excels in creating a sense of grandness. They are powerful beings, and their realms feel like it. When you’re in Dream’s throne room, you know it’s otherworldly; there’s nothing small or mundane about this world.

Dream big, the saying goes. With “The Sandman,” Netflix took that advice to heart, delivering a dream of an adaptation, full of fantastic stories, interesting characters and vibrant visuals. It takes a minute to get up and running, and there’s a lot to parse through if you’re not familiar with the graphic-novel source material, but the payoff is worth it. Just don’t be surprised if you have a nightmare tonight.

Four “Stop throwing sand in my eyes!” stars out of five.

Photo caption: Tom Sturridge as Dream in Episode 101 of “The Sandman.” (Courtesy of Netflix)