Josh Reviews Luther: The Fallen Sun

During the pandemic I caught up with the five seasons of Luther, the BBC series starring Idris Elba as the brilliant, but morally dubious, investigator.  I really enjoyed the series, mostly for Idris Elba’s magnificent performance in the lead role, though the series’ brutal, stomach-churning violence and ugliness was often off-putting.  Still, the show was compelling, and I was excited to learn the series was returning as a feature-length movie for Netflix.

Luther: The Fallen Sun begins with Luther’s many past sins catching up with him, and the corrupt DCI finds himself (arguably justifiably) put in prison.  Of course, he doesn’t stay there long, because a new horrific mass-murder is on the loose, and it turns out that Luther’s last case — in which a young man was mysteriously murdered on the side of the road — is a piece of this terrifying new puzzle.

I’ve been a fan of Idris Elba’s ever since The Wire, and it’s a pleasure to see him back in Luther’s unkempt overcoat.  I love this character, and Mr. Elba is never anything short of brilliantly magnetic when on-screen.  I’d be delighted to see him continue to reprise this character for many more Netflix movies in the future!

What makes this new Luther adventure stand out from the previous installments, for me, is the wonderful casting of Andy Serkis as the villainous David Robey.  Mr. Serkis, of course, played Gollum in The Lord of the Rings films and Caesar in the Planet of the Apes reboot trilogy, not to mention being perhaps the best thing in the brilliant first season of Andor.  Finally we have in Mr. Serkis a worthy foe for Idris Elba’s Luther.  Mr. Serkis is dynamite as the wealthy, brilliant, and horribly twisted villain.  He’s horrible, but it’s hard to look away.

I was delighted to see Dermot Crowley back as Martin Schenk, Luther’s world-weary former boss.  I loved how they used Schenk; his eyes are wide open to Luther’s flaws, but he also has faith in his friend’s brilliance and unfailing doggedness.

I was also pleased to see Cynthia Erivo (so memorable to me for her spectacular work in Bad Times at the El Royale) added to the ensemble as Odette Raine, the current head of the SSCU, in charge of the investigation into the crimes perpetrated by David Robey.  Ms. Erivo is a terrific actor and she’s a wonderful addition to the cast.  I wish the film gave her more to do.  She’s amazing in the film’s final thirty minutes… I’d have loved had she had more depth in the film’s first two acts.  If there are future Luther adventures, I hope she returns.

(My main disappointment with the cast of this film was that they once again didn’t bring back Rose Leslie!  Ms. Leslie was spectacular in Luther season four.  I was bummed she didn’t return for season five, and had hopes maybe they’d bring her back for this.  Oh well.)

No knowledge of the show is necessary to watch and enjoy The Fallen Sun, though long-time viewers will better understand and appreciate the events that land Luther in prison as the new story commences.

Over-all I quite enjoyed this film, though wow, some of the violence is difficult to watch at times.  This franchise is always so grim!!  It’s not easy on the stomach but it sure is gripping.  This film’s plot twists and turns tested my credulity at times… Luther’s prison break-out seems rather hard to swallow, as does his journey to David Robey’s snow-capped lair in the finale.  (That location for the finale would have felt appropriate for a Bond film — appropriate, as there’s a group of fans who have been campaigning for a decade for Mr. Elba to be cast as Bond — but it raised my eyebrows that the more grounded Luther could have possibly made his way there in the time available to him.)  Still, that finale, in which Luther and Odette find themselves trapped in David Robey’s chamber of horrors, was incredibly gripping.  The violence and suspense reminded me of a great Quentin Tarantino sequence.  Whoof — it wasn’t something I’ll soon forget.

If you’re a fan of Luther, this is a must-watch.  If you’ve never seen Luther and are curious, it’s not a bad place to start, and I think you’d enjoy it.  (Though probably my recommendation would be to go back to series/season one, and go from there.)  Just be warned: this franchise is not for the faint of heart!

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