Lanterns Review: A Great Show, but is it really Green Lantern?
by Eason Brohee
HBO’s Lanterns is one of those shows that reminds you how good superhero storytelling can be when it focuses on its characters. With a gripping mystery, fantastic dialogue, and performances that carry nearly every scene, the series is an easy recommendation for longtime DC fans and newcomers looking to get into the DC Universe.
Its plot is intriguing without requiring viewers to memorize decades of comic book history, and its grounded approach gives the story room to breathe. But as much as I enjoyed watching Lanterns, I couldn’t shake the feeling that something was missing. It’s a fantastic television show. I’m just not entirely convinced it’s the Green Lantern show we deserved.
Let’s start with the performances, because this is where Lanterns really shines. Kyle Chandler is absolutely stellar as Hal Jordan. He brings a worn-down confidence and a natural charm to the character that make him instantly compelling. My only complaint? This casting feels about two decades too late. Chandler is excellent, but I can’t help wondering what he could have done as a younger, more active Hal Jordan in a story that fully embraced the character’s place among DC’s greatest heroes. Still, the biggest surprise for me was Aaron Pierre as John Stewart. This is the kind of casting that makes you wonder how anyone could have imagined someone else in the role. Pierre embodies John with an incredible screen presence, a commanding delivery, and a seriousness that makes even his simplest lines feel important. Every time he spoke, I was locked in. He looks the part, carries himself like John Stewart, and makes the character feel like he has stepped straight off the comic book page. It’s the perfect casting at the perfect time, and I can’t wait to see where DC takes him next.
I also have to give the writers credit for taking some genuinely interesting risks with the story. Instead of immediately relying on familiar villains like Sinestro or Atrocitus, Lanterns builds its mystery around the Manhunters. I admire that decision. Even as a longtime Green Lantern fan, I enjoyed learning more about a corner of the mythology that I hadn’t explored as deeply before. It also makes the series surprisingly accessible to new fans, who can discover the universe alongside the characters rather than feeling like they need a comic book encyclopedia open beside them.
Nathan Fillion’s return as Guy Gardner was another highlight. After his appearance in Superman (2025), it was great seeing him return to the role, and he makes the most of his limited screen time. But perhaps my favorite surprise was Sheriff Kerry. I fully expected the show to explore the familiar Hal Jordan and Carol Ferris dynamic, so taking things in a different direction caught me off guard. Even more surprising? I think I liked it better. Kelly Macdonald brings so much life and personality to Kerry that she becomes a compelling presence in her own right, rather than simply serving as Hal’s love interest.
Unfortunately, the same creative restraint that makes Lanterns interesting also holds it back. While I respect the decision to use the Manhunters, I wish the show had given us a stronger tease of what lies ahead for John Stewart. The Manhunters are an intriguing choice, but seeing them presented in human form for so much of the story sometimes made it difficult to appreciate the scale of the threat. I wanted more glimpses of the strange, expansive universe that comes with the Green Lantern Corps.
And then there’s Sinestro. He is one of the most fascinating characters in Green Lantern lore, with a relationship to Hal and the Corps that could fuel an entire series of its own. The lack of meaningful setup for his eventual connection to the yellow light was a missed opportunity. I also think Hal Jordan deserved a story more focused on rebirth than simply bringing his journey to an end. If the character returns, I hope DC considers a fresh take on Hal, potentially with a younger actor who can carry the mantle into the future. His legacy is too important to leave behind, and the Green Lantern mythos has far too much potential to stop here.
Ultimately, Lanterns succeeds because its writing and performances are so good. The dialogue is sharp, the mystery keeps you invested, and the characters make even the quieter scenes worthwhile. But that is also the problem: the writing is doing so much heavy lifting that the show sometimes feels like it would fall apart without it. A Green Lantern story set in a rural American town can be compelling, but for me, it will never quite match the excitement of watching these characters travel across the galaxy, face impossible threats, and use their rings to create things limited only by their imagination. That cosmic adventure is what makes Green Lantern special, and it’s what I wanted more of here. Lanterns is absolutely worth watching, especially if you’re new to the DC Universe.
It’s a great show with a lot going for it, but a great show and a great Green Lantern show aren’t necessarily the same thing. So, DC, please take the groundwork you’ve laid here, give John Stewart the spotlight he deserves, let Sinestro be Sinestro, and remember what makes the Green Lantern Corps so special.
And next time, GIVE US A SUIT-UP!
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