Lanterns: Review

The DC Universe heads into newer territory with the latest TV spinoff series.

Whereas Peacemaker had a more irreverent tone and a distinctly violent edge among the darker moments, the new series from the James Gunn stable goes back to the HBO roots that's been so ingrained in one of its most successful series.

There's no mistaking True Detective's DNA all over this 8-episode series, seven of which were made available for review - but it's worth noting that many of the show's surprises and sizeable shocks are being kept under wraps until after airing.

Loosely, Lanterns, at its very core, is about nature versus nurture, power versus responsibility, age versus experience and a simple odd couple dynamic that has an uncanny knack of getting under your skin.

A terrifically charismatic Kyle Chandler plays Hal Jordan, the first human to be selected as a Green Lantern and who's less than happy to be saddled with a rookie and former army man John Stewart (Aaron Pierre) at the request of the Guardians.

Unimpressed that he has to train someone and reticent to acknowledge the fact he's ageing out, their nascent partnership is put to the test early on after a death in Rushville, Nebraska. Whereas Jordan's gut leads him to suspects aliens, Stewart's calmer approach to the situation follows a more forensic and methodical approach to the crime which is being guarded by local police, headed by Kelly MacDonald's Sheriff Kerry (who comes into her own later on in the series).

However, as the pair investigates, they find themselves faced with something bigger than themselves and must grapple with the inner truths they've kept hidden and the insecurities and conflicts they don't want rising to the surface.

The very definition of a slow-burn, Lanterns is an exercise in character study, rather than superhero bombast. The conflict arises from a more human place and consequently the show keeps a more grounded approach which takes its time to yield its rewards.

While Chandler has the ease and charm from the start, Pierre's more calculated and careful performance as Stewart may take a little more time to warm upto - but he delivers a constructed pitch that makes his superhero TV debut one of the more engaging of the year as he grapples with his inner demons, the fact he's been selected by other forces for the Lantern role rather than the traditional route of the ring choosing its successor.

As a result, Lanterns initially begins as a back-and-forth exercise between the duo, revelling in their clashing ideologies and approaches - the friction provides most of the frisson of engagement throughout as the show navigates elements of mystery, Yellowstone's ranches and Sicario's compound of dread.

There's much to be said about Lanterns that can't be divulged this early on, but suffice to say the show's bound by its earthbound intentions, but occasionally looks to the skies for further inspiration.

It's also a show that benefits from the weekly viewing experience - this is not a series to race through for completion's sake, nor is it one that's filled with the kind of humour Peacemaker brought to the screen. That's not to say there aren't lighter moments here, but paying careful attention to the threads delivers its own rewards.

However, that is both the show's strength and may prove to be its Achilles' Heel. 

Some may find Lanterns a little too po-faced at times, steeped in a kind of serious malaise that can be near impenetrable. Thankfully Chandler remains as eminently watchable as he ever has, and the script knows when things need to be pulled back and a dose of humanity added.

All of the supporting players have depth too. From MacDonald's Sheriff who finds herself caught between two worlds to Garrett Dillahunt's mysterious ranch owner who has plenty to hide, there's enough to grasp onto here and payoffs that feel rewarding.

Ultimately, Lanterns rewards patience and care - and while the finale's been withheld from reviewers so it remains to be seen if it sticks the landing, the central duo make the journey and its twists more than worth the ride itself.

Episodes 1-7 of Lanterns were watched for the purpose of this review.

Lanterns streams on HBO Max from August 17, with new episodes releasing weekly.

The first 5 minutes of #Lanterns is here to watch now, just as the ring has willed it. ⁰#Lanterns premieres this Sunday at 9pm on @hbomax. @DCOfficial pic.twitter.com/AdvHbpLR61

— James Gunn (@JamesGunn) August 13, 2026

What's on Disney+ in September

Here's everything that's streaming on Disney+ in September 2026.

American Horror Story Season 13 (September 25)

The 13th season of the popular horror anthology series will include the return of fan-favourite characters including Constance Langdon, Cordelia Goode, Madison Montgomery, Marie Laveau, Rubber Man, Twisty the Clown, Kai Anderson among other surprises. All previous seasons of FX’s “American Horror Story” are currently streaming on Disney+ in New Zealand.

“AHS: 13,” featuring 13 half-hour episodes, will premiere Friday, September 25 exclusively on Disney+. Premiere week and week two will each feature three episodes, followed by a pair of episodes each following Friday leading up to the 13th and final episode on October 30, just in time for Halloween.

The 13th installment stars Sarah Paulson, Evan Peters, Angela Bassett, Kathy Bates, Emma Roberts, Billie Lourd, Gabourey Sidibe, Leslie Grossman, Joey Pollari and Jessica Lange. The epic cast also features Avantika, Jamie Brewer, Elle Chapman, Berto Colon, Alex Consani, Frances Conroy, Mat Fraser, Seth Gabel, Orlando Jones, Paul Anthony Kelly, John Carroll Lynch, Tig Notaro, Madelaine Petsch, Fedor Steer, Mena Suvari, Zach Villa, John Waters and more.

FX’s “American Horror Story,” the global phenomenon that has garnered more than 100 Emmy nominations since its launch in 2011, returns for an unrivaled 13th installment that will do justice to everyone’s most feared number. Bringing together an all-star cast, many of whom are reprising fan favorite roles, “AHS: 13” continues to build on the anthology’s decades-long legacy that has been streamed more than 700 million hours across the globe and spawned a legion of dedicated fans. Created and produced by Ryan Murphy and Brad Falchuk, “American Horror Story” has redefined the genre with various installments featuring a creepy murder house, a coven of witches, a traveling freak show, a haunted hotel and the apocalypse itself. Which iconic horrors will return to haunt the hallowed halls of 13 and what new terrors await? Light your candles, draw your pentagrams and prepare for a supreme surprise.

Logitech G316 X Wired Keyboard: Review

There's no denying that the keyboard market is becoming somewhat crowded, with new releases feeling like they're announced every couple of months.

One month, it's a wireless keyboard, then the next, it's a wired one. The churn is continual, but it's all in the pursuit of ensuring that gamers and users get the most out of the tech and the propositions they present.

The latest, the Logitech G316 X, which retails around the $225 mark, is a wired keyboard that lives within the realm of wanting to make plenty of noise with the satisfying clack of keys once you've bashed on them and the comfort of knowing that the battery is never going to run out, thanks to its wired nature.

Logitech's G3 series has already created a solid ecosystem, both for casual users and hardcore gamers.

The latest keyboard may not really massively change that marketing space, but it does offer a sensible reason to stay within it.

With a solid, quality sturdy build, the keyboard feels like it can do the job it needs to do for a prolonged amount of time and yet offers a touch of contemporary quality with its look. With swappable keys and a slightly out-there volume button, there's the occasional feeling that developers have gone a little haywire to ensure there's something that helps it stand out on the shelves.

But that's not really a necessity here, given how responsive the keys are to touch. Sure, there's no trigger effect like some others have offered, but along with a solid response time, the keyboard does much to ensure that users get what they need from it. 

Along with the Game Mode Switch which prevents you inadvertently bashing the keys during a session, the keyboard certainly knows what it wants to do. (It helps there's a quirky joystick graphic for the button to be pressed.) Use of the G Hub app's important here too, another sign that Logitech itself is keeping everything in its own ecosystem, because the app will allow you to disable certain keys, something which becomes more of a priority during any prolonged gaming session.

Plus, within the app, you can adjust the range of the keyboard's polling rate and its RGB behaviour. Once again, the app continues to be easy to navigate and doesn't feel too much like it's aimed only at professionals.

Along with RGB light straps and the defining clack of the keys, the Logitech G316 X Wired Keyboard does feel like it's a perfect mid-range budget option. Though there's an occasional stiffness typing with the keys in a normal daily environment and it's not entirely clear whether someone would want to use this for an office job, Logitech's G3 suite of hardware certainly hits its core market and delivers exactly what they'd want and need.

What's on DocPlay in September

Here's everything that's streaming on DocPlay in September 2026.

This September, scale to extreme heights with audience favourite The Dawn Wall, and Girl Climber, which follows champion climber Emily Harrington as she attempts to cement her legacy with one final climb. From Aotearoa New Zealand, the two-part series Stolen Lands offers a new retelling of the story of Te Whakatohea Chief Mokomoko. Plus, coming direct to audiences from top film festivals across the world, Sanatorium and Holding Liat release exclusively on DocPlay for Australia and New Zealand. 

3 September

Singing Wings (Exclusive)

A poetic and deeply human documentary set in a picturesque Kurdish village in Iran, where migrating storks arrive each winter.

14 September

Stolen Lands (Series)

Stolen Lands is the story of one of Aotearoa's most compelling and misunderstood historical figures. Across two seasons, the series covers the accusations, injustice and conspiracy in Opotiki in 1865, which led to the unjust execution of Te Whakatohea Chief Mokomoko. 

24 September

Girl Climber (Exclusive)

Five-time US National Champion Emily Harrington has summited Everest and scaled 8,000m peaks, but her legacy hinges on one goal: free-climbing El Capitan’s ‘Golden Gate’ route in under 24 hours. 

24 September

The Dawn Wall (Exclusive)

The Dawn Wall is as epic as it gets: a true edge-of-your-seat experience that puts you right on the cliff face with Tommy Caldwell and Kevin Jorgeson as they attempt rock-climbing history.

28 September

Sanatorium (Exclusive)

Despite a war close by, mud treatments and electro-therapies continue at Kuyalnik Sanatorium near Odesa in southern Ukraine, where a small group searches for love, healing, and happiness. 

28 September

Holding Liat (Exclusive)

A profoundly intimate account of one family's experience following the Oct 7 Hamas attacks. Winner of the Documentary Award at Berlin International Film Festival.

What's on Prime Video in September

Here's what's streaming on Prime Video in September 2026.

The Runner (September 2)

In the pulse-pounding psychological thriller The Runner, Maia Marten (Gal Gadot) has built her life on being one step ahead — a sharp, resourceful, high-powered lawyer at the top of London's legal world.

During her routine morning run, a single phone call shatters her world: her son has been taken. The instructions to get him back are simple and merciless — keep moving, follow every command, and tell no one. Stop, and he dies. Forced to sprint through the city and obey a series of sinister commands, Maia must confront an impossible question: how far will she go to bring her son home?

Set against the backdrop of London’s hyper-connected streets, The Runner is a visceral, high-stakes race where every second counts, every choice carries a price, and a mother's unstoppable love becomes the most dangerous weapon of all.

Win a double pass to see Paw Patrol: The Dino Movie in cinemas

To celebrate the release of Paw Patrol: The Dino Movie, in cinemas September 17, thanks to Paramount Pictures New Zealand, you could win a double pass!

About Paw Patrol: The Dino Movie

After their ship gets caught in a mysterious storm, the PAW Patrol pups crash land on an uncharted tropical island filled with dinosaurs. They meet Rex, a pup who has been stranded on the island for years and has become an expert in all things dino-related. 

When the PAW Patrol's archrival, Mayor Humdinger, begins recklessly mining in hopes of exploiting the island for its natural resources, he inadvertently causes a huge, dormant volcano to erupt. The PAW Patrol pups are thrown into a series of high-stakes, dino-sized rescues bigger than anything they've done before, as they must stop Humdinger before everything on the island goes extinct.

Paw Patrol: The Dino Movie stars Carter Young, Mckenna Grace, Terry Crews, Meredith MacNeill, Ron Pardo, Jennifer Hudson, Hayden Chemberlen, Fortune Feimster, Jameela Jamil, Rain Janjua, Bill Nye, Paris Hilton, Lucien Duncan-Reid, William Desrosiers, Nylan Parthipan, and Snoop Dogg, introducing Henry Bolan

Paw Patrol: The Dino Movie is in cinemas September 17