Neil Cross
Luther: The Fallen Sun is a Netflix film that serves as a continuation of the BBC series Luther, starring Idris Elba as John Luther, a brilliant but troubled detective who breaks out of prison to hunt down a serial killer. While fans of the show might be excited to see Elba reprise his iconic role, they will likely be let down by this film’s lackluster plot, weak villain and wasted potential.
The film suffers from a lack of originality and suspense, as it recycles many elements from previous seasons of Luther, such as Luther’s relationship with Alice Morgan (Ruth Wilson), his former partner Justin Ripley (Warren Brown) and his new ally Angela Rose (Cynthia Erivo). The serial killer, played by Andy Serkis, is a cartoonish and unconvincing antagonist who has a vague motive and an unrealistic plan. The film also fails to explore Luther’s character development or moral dilemmas, instead relying on clichés and contrivances.
The only saving grace of this film is Idris Elba’s performance, which is still charismatic and compelling despite the weak material. He manages to convey Luther’s inner turmoil and determination with subtlety and intensity. However, even he cannot elevate this film above its mediocrity. Luther: The Fallen Sun is a disappointing return for one of TV’s most complex and captivating detectives.