Parents' Guide to

The Sandman

By Polly Conway, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 15+

Sumptuous fantasy drama adaptation has violence, scares.

TV Netflix Drama 2022
The Sandman television series poster

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this TV show.

Community Reviews

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age 16+

Based on 9 parent reviews

rogerbock
rogerbock Parent of 13 and 15-year-old
August 21, 2022
age 17+

Episode 5 gets very dark

Whoever reviewed this show clearly did not make it to episode five. My kids have watched a lot of dark and violent content, but the diner episode ("24/7") was more than we felt comfortable with. The entire episode is unsettling and escalates to the point where you have people self-mutilating by hammering nails into their hands and chopping their own fingers off. At that point we noped out and turned off the TV. From reading spoilers it looks likes it continues escalating into mass murder/suicide, so I think we made the right decision. This is very much unflinching psychological horror and violence as opposed to the sanitized Marvel violence of other shows. We liked the earlier episodes and might revisit this in a couple of years when my kids are older.
12 people found this helpful.
Julia123
Julia123 Parent of 14 and 16-year-old
September 3, 2022
age 18+

Gets very dark in episode five.

It started out interesting and I was really enjoying the show. Then it went off the deep end. I almost had my daughter watch it with me but I am so glad I didnt. It gets pointlessly violent and disturbing in the fifth episode. It also gets very boring and just felt pointless. I felt like I was not watching the same show . Really wierd.

This title has:

Too much violence
6 people found this helpful.
See all 9 parent reviews

What's the Story?

The show follows Dream (Tom Sturridge), also known as Morpheus, the king of all dreams who rules the mythical land of the Dreaming. In 1916, Dream is captured during an occult ritual. After 105 years of imprisonment, Dream escapes his captivity. Now in the year 2021, Dream sets out on a journey to regain his powers and reestablish order in his former kingdom of the Dreaming.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (9 ):
Kids say (12 ):

This languid, dramatic series offers lots of gothic delights for fans of dark worlds. The Sandman starts out with opulent stained glass, brocade curtains, and mahogany, making the Magus' mansion adequately spooky and ornate as a setting for Dream's captivity. Once he's free, Dream's own abandoned palace and other locations are equally lush and detailed. Many newcomers to Gaiman's popular tale may find themselves a little overwhelmed by the depth and drama of his world, but the series quickly enough gives clarity to its characters and plot. Others may find the opaque dialogue and slow pace somewhat tedious, but fans of the comic should be pleased by this sumptuous adaptation.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about why The Sandman has been so popular for so long as a comic. What sets it apart from other traditional comic stories like superhero stories?

  • Which characters in this series display courage? Why is it an important character strength?

TV Details

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