Movie Review - Luther: The Fallen Sun

Director: Jamie Payne
Genre: Crime/ Thriller/ Drama/ Mystery
Runtime: 129 minutes
Year: 2023
Starring: Idris Elba, Andy Serkis, Cynthia Erivo
 
Description: Brilliant but disgrace detective John Luther (Idris Elba) breaks out of prison to hunt down a sadistiv serial killer (Andy Serkis) who is terrorizing London.

Review: Detective Chief Inspector (DCI) John Luther is back. After five seasons, Idris Elba may take on the role of the tormented, driven and unorthodox detective one more time. This time in a feature film, where he hunts down a psychopathic serial killer who has his victims picked out by an army of hackers, only to blackmail them with their online secrets and lure them into his sick trap.

That Luther must first escape from a heavily guarded prison to do so is just a detail. In a fairly straightforward manner, he is released, and from then on a multi-level cat and mouse game begins. Luther wants nothing more than to catch the killer, as do his former colleagues. Even though they are also trying to catch Luther, they make clever use of him. Because if they find Luther, then they will most likely find the killer.

This dark thriller does not always excel in credibility, just like the series. Luther always gets away with a lot. And while the entire detective team is still in the dark, halfway through the story he magically sees through the perpetrator’s mindset, motives and next steps. And although Luther is a brilliant detective, it feels a bit too easy, too coincidental.

Still, there is enough to enjoy The atmosphere keeps you on the edge of your seat and the acting is strong. Not only Elba excels, but Andy Serkis also does week as the deranged antagonist. His actual motives might leave you with lots of questions in the end though.

Not a lot of familiar faces return for this film, but since most of Luther’s immediate colleagues and loved ones have died, that’s not such a surprise. But one character I was missing, was Alice Morgan. The interesting dynamic between her and Luther has always been a thread through the series.

“Luther: The Fallen Sun” is probably not the finale that fans were hoping for, but still, it was an enjoyable watch for everyone who has watched the series.

Rating: 3/ 5