Lanterns series receives mixed reviews for its noir approach to DC lore

The HBO Max series ‘Lanterns’, featuring Hal Jordan (Kyle Chandler) and John Stewart (Aaron Pierre), has received polarized critical reception. The show departs from traditional superhero spectacle, opting instead for a gritty, noir-style investigative thriller set in Nebraska that draws comparisons to ‘True Detective’.

While some critics praise the series for its character depth and its focus on human emotion over CGI and action, others argue the adaptation fails to capture the essence of the DC Comics source material. Critics have noted that the showrunners, including Damon Lindelof, Chris Mundy, and Tom King, may have misinterpreted the core themes of the Green Lantern mythos, specifically regarding the concept of overcoming fear, by transforming the protagonists into cynical or emotionally detached figures.