‘Insane’ Mystery Series With Line of Duty Star Has Fans Glued to Their Screens — ‘Absolute Perfection’

The new DC thriller is being praised as a gripping crime mystery, with viewers already desperate for the next episode after its explosive premiere.

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Line of Duty star Kelly Macdonald features in the series(Image: HBO)

A brand-new mystery thriller has barely arrived on screens, but viewers are already calling it “insane” and “absolute perfection.”

Lanterns, the latest series set in the DC Universe, has taken a surprisingly dark turn, combining the world of superheroes with a small-town murder investigation that has left audiences hooked.

And for fans of gritty crime dramas such as True Detective, there may be even more reason to tune in.

The series stars Aaron Pierre as John Stewart and Kyle Chandler as Hal Jordan, two versions of the iconic Green Lantern characters who are brought together when a mysterious crime takes place in a remote American town.

What initially appears to be a grounded investigation soon begins to hint at something much bigger — potentially involving forces that are anything but human.

Fans Were Not Expecting This From DC

The first episode has already made a strong impression, with viewers praising everything from the writing and performances to the show’s cinematography.

That reaction is particularly notable given the mixed reception surrounding some recent DC projects.

Rather than immediately leaning into flashy superhero spectacle, Lanterns takes a slower, more atmospheric approach.

Hal Jordan is already an experienced Green Lantern, while John Stewart enters the story as his younger protégé. Their relationship becomes central as the two investigate a disturbing case that appears to have connections far beyond the small town where it begins.

The result is a series that feels as much like a murder mystery as a superhero show.

And that’s exactly what appears to have caught viewers off guard.

The True Detective Connection

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The series is a new take on the Green Lantern characters(Image: HBO)

There is a very good reason the series feels familiar to fans of prestige crime television.

Lanterns is co-created by Chris Mundy, who has previously worked on True Detective, and that influence has already become one of the biggest talking points surrounding the new series.

The dark atmosphere, investigative storyline and uneasy small-town setting have encouraged viewers to draw comparisons between the two shows.

Critics have also responded strongly, with Lanterns reportedly earning a 95% rating on Rotten Tomatoes.

For a DC series attempting to reinvent one of its most recognisable superheroes, that is an encouraging start.

‘I Was Glued to the Screen’

Audience reactions have been even more enthusiastic.

One viewer described the premiere as an episode that immediately had them “glued to the screen,” praising the decision to combine Green Lantern mythology with a crime mystery.

Another said they were already hooked after just one episode, highlighting the humour, visual style, acting and compelling scenes.

And another fan simply declared:

“Absolute perfection.”

The praise hasn’t been limited to the show’s visual presentation.

Viewers have also singled out the chemistry between Chandler and Pierre, with many already excited to see how the relationship between Hal and John develops.

One audience member described Chandler’s performance as phenomenal and suggested the stakes appear to be much bigger than initially expected.

‘What. A. Pilot.’

For some viewers, the premiere was enough to completely change their expectations.

One fan wrote:

“What. A. Pilot.”

Another praised the dialogue, pacing and dynamic between the two leads, while others highlighted the cinematography and visual effects.

The enthusiasm is especially striking because audiences initially had plenty of reasons to be cautious.

Green Lantern has had a complicated history on screen, meaning expectations surrounding another major adaptation were understandably mixed.

But the early reaction suggests Lanterns may be taking the character in a direction audiences weren’t expecting.

Instead of simply delivering another conventional superhero adventure, the series appears to be building a mystery first — and allowing the superhero elements to gradually emerge around it.

The Mystery Is Only Beginning

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Fans have shared they can’t wait for more episodes to release(Image: HBO)

The first episode only sets the investigation in motion, meaning viewers still have plenty of unanswered questions.

Why did the crime happen?

What exactly is hiding beneath the seemingly ordinary town?

And how deeply are alien forces connected to the investigation?

Those questions appear to be driving much of the excitement surrounding the series, with fans already counting down to the next instalment.

One viewer summed up the reaction simply by calling the premiere “insane” and praising its writing, cinematography and visual effects.

With episodes arriving weekly, audiences won’t have to wait long to discover where the mystery goes next.

And if the reaction to episode one is anything to go by, Lanterns could become one of the most talked-about new mystery dramas of the year.

** Lanterns is streaming on HBO Max, NOW and Sky.**