Film Review: ‘Luther: The Fallen Sun’: Big Screen Transition Is Successful

R | 2h 9m | Cop Thriller | March 10, 2023

Netflix’s “Luther: The Fallen Sun,” a Batman-like atmospheric cop thriller following up on what was already an engaging, Batman-like BBC cop serial, is basically Idris Elba in a bigger, tougher movie version of the TV series, which he also stars in.

John Luther (Idris Elba) chasing a bad guy in the subway tunnels, in "Luther: The Fallen Sun. "(John Wilson/Netflix)

Streaming is changing the movie game, and so it’s always been the case that hit series want to segue to a movie version, a la “Sex and the City.” Many series have tried and failed.  This one succeeds. 

It would, of course, help to have seen the previous five TV seasons, but it’s not at all necessary. Same as the show, the highlight is mega-star Elba, who can make even the most unbelievable aspects of the plot feel real.

Picking Up Where the Series Left Off

Director Jamie Payne and screenwriter Neil Cross rewind just slightly to the finale of the last season, crafting a mass-murder tale that’s edge-of-the-seat unpredictable and rather horrifying.

Similar to most Batman movies, darkness and evil are key “Luther” themes, and here Luther finds himself facing yet another disturbing psycho antagonist in David Robey (Andy Serkis, who I can never not see as Smeagol/Gollum from “The Lord of the Rings”).

Bad guy David Robey (Andy Serkis), in "Luther: The Fallen Sun." (John Wilson/Netflix)

Robey is a Dark Web snuff-filmmaker and serial killer with a Dr. Zhivago-type frozen house, somewhere in Scandinavia. Except this one is a house  of horrors. Robey’s one of those classic maniacal billionaires with an extensive network of acolytes who cyberstalk emails and video chats to collect incriminating evidence, setting up potential targets to be manipulated as puppets in his fight against humanity.

Detective Chief Inspector John Luther had, prior to this film, been arrested for skirting the law one-too-many times, and Robey was the one who managed to get Luther put in the slammer, where every inmate wants a piece of him. Luther is determined to get out and nail whoever’s behind a string of kidnappings, one of which resulted in fiery murders.

Luther, the Character

John Luther’s personal life is chaotic and his work life not far behind, but these elements make him a tier-one detective. It’s the deficiencies in his life that lend him an ability to sniff out the weaknesses in others.

The complex role of John Luther has enabled Elba to bring all of his considerable talents and showcase his range as an actor. In the film version, because the character doesn’t rely on guns to catch the criminals, it’s more a duel of antagonist-protagonist minds, and Elba also displays more emotion than in the series.

Supporting cast

Luther’s old superintendent Martin Schenk (Dermot Crowley), in "Luther: The Fallen Sun. "(John Wilson/Netflix)

Luther’s old superintendent Martin Schenk (Dermot Crowley) and Archie Woodward (Thomas Coombes) join the movie, as well as Luther’s replacement, Odette Raine (Cynthia Erivo). She’s brought Schenk out of retirement to entrap Luther.

Raine is the polar opposite of Luther and tries hard to erase everything he stood for, but, naturally, eventually learns that there’s method behind what she always perceived as Luther’s madness.

Odette Raine (Cynthia Erivo) is the person who inherited Luther's former job, in "Luther: The Fallen Sun." (John Wilson/Netflix)

The film is occasionally derailed by unbelievable rescues or stock action sequences as good and evil prepare for battle. Finally, we remain, because of Elba’s John Luther. He’s the reason we keep coming back.

Batman

John Luther (Idris Elba, center) in the middle of a prison break, in "Luther: The Fallen Sun. "(John Wilson/Netflix)

Also like Batman, Luther is slightly supernormal: single-handedly smacking rioting prisoners around, and surviving gunshots and stabbings. Idris Elba has famously been suggested for many years as the next James Bond and, while he would have no doubt had the suave and debonair demeanor for that iconic role, he’s excellent as a fierce, whip-smart detective, and director Payne likes to let us see Luther think, and put the puzzle together.

“Luther: The Fallen Sun” points the way to more Luther movies, something Elba has been very vocal about wanting to do, and the movie ends on an episodic note, hinting there’s more to tell. This venture into the John Luther universe will be enjoyed by both newcomers and longtime followers of the show.

“Luther: The Fallen Sun” began streaming March 10 on Netflix.

Movie poster for "Luther: The Fallen Sun. "(John Wilson/Netflix)

‘Luther: The Fallen Sun’ Director: Jamie Payne Starring: Idris Elba, Andy Serkis, Cynthia Erivo, Dermot Crowley MPAA Rating: R Running Time: 2 hours, 9 minutes Release Date: March 10, 2023 Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars