HBO’s 8-Part “Stephen King Meets X-Files” Detective Thriller Series Is a Perfect Weekend Binge
HBO’s newest series Lanterns, an 8-part detective thriller now streaming on HBO Max, takes an unconventional approach to Green Lantern storytelling. The show stars Kyle Chandler as Hal Jordan and Aaron Pierre as John Stewart, two of DC Comics’ most prominent Green Lanterns who investigate a shooting in rural Rushville, Nebraska. Jordan suspects an alien connection, drawing the case to the attention of the Green Lantern Corps—the intergalactic peacekeeping organization both characters serve.
Rather than delivering the cosmic adventures typically associated with Green Lantern adaptations, Lanterns centers on grounded detective work and buddy cop dynamics, drawing stylistic comparisons to HBO’s acclaimed True Detective. The show blends rural noir mystery with superhero elements, featuring Western aesthetics and crime-thriller pacing. Showrunner Chris Mundy and writer Vanessa Baden Kelly emphasize mythology and character relationships over action spectacle, creating an intimate procedural experience.
As the series progresses, deeper layers of Green Lantern lore emerge. Episode 2 introduces major villains including Sinestro and the Manhunters, expanding the narrative scope beyond the small-town investigation. This approach allows the series to balance intimate detective storytelling with the introduction of larger galactic conflicts. By grounding the superhero narrative in procedural mystery, Lanterns offers a fresh take on comic book adaptations that appeals to both longtime DC fans and viewers new to the franchise.