HBO Max Lanterns review calls rural thriller a mixed achievement
The HBO Max series Lanterns concluded its eight-week run on Monday, October 6, after premiering on August 16, delivering a grounded rural thriller that diverged sharply from traditional comic book adaptations.
Tone Comparisons to True Detective and Fargo
Peter Safran initially described the tone of Lanterns by comparing it to True Detective, while director James Hawes cited Fargo and No Country for Old Men as stylistic touchstones for the dusty, small-town Nebraska setting. The review noted that while the series shares a clear structural parentage with those titles—featuring two reluctant partners investigating murders that spiral outward—it ultimately falls short of matching those cinematic and television heavyweights. Yet, the review emphasized that opting for a slow-paced procedural focusing on two characters asking questions in a small town represents a distinct achievement within a crowded superhero landscape.
Narrative Tension and Adaptation Choices
The eight-episode run maintained consistent viewer tension from week to week, though the resolution phases revealed plot twists too early, allowing attentive audiences to stay a step ahead of the characters. This narrative approach accompanied a significant overhaul of the source material. In the original comics, John Stewart was introduced in 1971 as an unemployed Detroit architect selected as a backup Green Lantern, creating a politically charged dynamic with veteran Hal Jordan. In contrast, the television adaptation reimagines John as an individual whose mother negotiates with the Guardians of the Universe to train him from childhood, equipping him with a military background and a fearless disposition.
Co-creator Tom King explained that the creative team wanted to provide the character with a narrative hook reminiscent of Batman or Spider-Man. While this shift functions effectively within the serialized television format, the review pointed out that comic book purists have expressed frustration over the departure from established canon. The production minimized overt superhero elements—limiting energy constructs and alien appearances—to prioritize human drama, though visual effects during flight sequences occasionally exposed budget limitations.
High Viewership and Critical Ratings Suggest Potential Renewal
Despite divergent reactions from comic enthusiasts, the series achieved strong critical and commercial reception. The review highlighted that Lanterns holds a positive approval rating exceeding 90 percent on Rotten Tomatoes and drew an average of over twelve million viewers per episode in the United States, scaling toward millions globally. Crucially, viewership increased weekly rather than declining.
Although network executive Casey Bloys clarified in mid-September that an official second-season renewal had not yet been announced, a writers’ room has been active since before the series premiere. Showrunners Chris Mundy and Chris Cantwell continue to oversee development, and DC Studios co-head James Gunn referred to the eighth episode as a season finale rather than a series conclusion.
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