Movie Review: Luther: The Fallen Sun

Idris Elba returns in Luther: The Fallen Sun as DCI John Luther, reprising the role he played in twenty-one episodes of the BBC television series from 2010-19. For the most part, the film plays well as a crime drama, but the cinematic debut of the character seems less focused on telling a self-sustaining story within the already constructed universe of the television series, and more intent on proving that Elba would have indeed made a potent James Bond.

As Luther: The Fallen Sun begins, the disgraced detective is behind bars, being taunted by the cyber psychopath he failed to capture, leading to his incarceration. As the taunting increases, along with the killer’s crimes, Luther decides he must break out of prison and catch this maniac by any means necessary. Once out, Luther mounts his own investigation to identify and apprehend the killer, even as the authorities – including the Police Chief Odette Raine (Cynthia Erivo) and Luther’s old friend Martin Schenk (Dermot Crowley) – hunt him as an escaped convict.

Having directed four episodes of the series – among numerous other BBC television projects – Jamie Payne makes his feature debut with Luther: The Fallen Sun and he appears all in, as many of the scenes play like a director’s highlight reel. There are even a few moments that harken back to Daniel Craig’s last foray as 007 that are only missing the Bond theme to make this whole enterprise a Bond film rather than a Luther case. Series creator and writer Neil Cross returns to pen this project and that through line is a welcome addition that maintains the integrity of the story. However, there is no escaping the specter of Bond hanging over the entire enterprise.

Idris Elba as John Luther in “Luther: The Fallen Sun.” Photo by John Wilson/Netflix – © 2023 Netflix, Inc.

As he did in the series, Elba embodies the title character, and it is difficult to picture any other actor taking his place. Additional solid work from Ervio and Crowley, not to mention Andy Serkis and his devilishly delightful performance – only enliven the rest of the film with the character depth that the television series excelled at.

While one may wish they were watching the next James Bond adventure when viewing Luther: The Fallen Sun, they will still be treated to some fine performances within a competent and intriguing, yet occasionally pandering crime drama.

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Mike Tyrkus

Editor in Chief at CinemaNerdz.com

An independent filmmaker, co-writer and director of over a dozen short films, the Editor in Chief of CinemaNerdz.com has spent much of the last three decades as a writer and editor specializing in biographical and critical reference sources in literature and the cinema, beginning in February 1991 reviewing films for his college newspaper. He was a member of the Detroit Film Critics Society, as well as the group's webmaster and one-time President for over a decade until the group ceased to exist. His contributions to film criticism can be found in Magill's Cinema Annual, VideoHound's Golden Movie Retriever (of which he was the editor for nearly a decade until it too ceased to exist), the International Dictionary of Films and Filmmakers, and the St. James Film Directors Encyclopedia (on which he collaborated with editor Andrew Sarris). He has also appeared on the television program Critic LEE Speaking alongside Lee Thomas of FOX2 and Adam Graham, of The Detroit News. He currently lives in the Detroit area with his wife and their dogs.

@miketyrkus

Mike Tyrkus

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