'Lanterns' Review: Kyle Chandler, Aaron Pierre Lead DC's Best Show in Years

Lanterns takes one of DC’s most cosmic superhero properties and gives it an unexpectedly grounded setting, turning Green Lanterns Hal Jordan and John Stewart into investigators in rural Nebraska. The HBO series follows veteran Lantern Hal Jordan, played by Kyle Chandler, as he mentors rookie John Stewart, portrayed by Aaron Pierre. Their first assignment involves investigating a mysterious murder that initially appears to have little connection to the wider universe. However, as the investigation progresses, the case begins revealing secrets with much larger implications.

The strongest element of Lanterns is the uneasy partnership between its two leads. Hal is an experienced Lantern who carries the confidence and exhaustion of someone who has spent years dealing with responsibility. John, meanwhile, is younger and less willing to accept Hal's authority simply because of his experience. Their disagreements create much of the show's humour and tension, while their gradual development of mutual respect provides its emotional core. Rather than forcing the relationship into an obvious mentor-student dynamic, the series allows their differences to develop naturally.

Kyle Chandler gives Hal a compelling mix of swagger, frustration and vulnerability. His character is not portrayed as a flawless veteran dispensing wisdom but as a man carrying the weight of years spent doing a demanding job. Aaron Pierre provides an effective counterpoint as John, bringing seriousness and restraint while giving the rookie his own understanding of duty. Their chemistry works particularly well because their relationship feels driven by genuine irritation and contrasting personalities rather than manufactured conflict.

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The murder investigation gives Lanterns the structure of a slow-burning crime drama. The series spends considerable time establishing the rural community, its residents and the secrets surrounding the killing. Suspicious locals, troubled characters and an atmosphere of uncertainty create a world where almost everyone appears to be hiding something. There are clear similarities to prestige crime dramas such as True Detective, especially in the isolated landscapes and gradual investigation, but Lanterns manages to maintain its own identity by allowing the Green Lantern mythology to influence the story.

The show's decision to delay the larger superhero spectacle is both one of its strengths and occasional weaknesses. Rather than immediately filling the screen with alien worlds and cosmic conflicts, Lanterns introduces the extraordinary through an otherwise familiar setting. The Green Lantern rings, Corps and wider implications become more effective because the series first establishes Hal and John as characters. At times, however, the restraint becomes overly cautious, with the superhero mythology feeling secondary to the crime investigation. The supporting cast, including Kelly Macdonald, Laura Linney and Nathan Fillion as Guy Gardner, helps maintain the show's momentum without overwhelming the central story.

Overall, Lanterns is a confident reinvention of DC's Green Lantern mythology, using a murder mystery and a complicated partnership to introduce a much larger world. Chandler and Pierre are the biggest reasons the series works, with their contrasting performances giving the slow-burning narrative a strong emotional foundation. While viewers expecting immediate cosmic spectacle may find the deliberate pace frustrating, the grounded approach ultimately gives the superhero elements greater impact. With its atmospheric setting, strong performances and carefully expanding mythology, Lanterns emerges as one of DC's strongest screen projects since The Batman.

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