LUTHER: THE FALLEN SUN

UK, 2023, 129 minutes, Colour.

Idris Elba, Cynthia Erivo, Andy Serkis, Dermot Crowley, Thomas Coombs, Hattie Morahan, Lauren Ajufo, Vinccnt Regan.

Directed by Jamie Payne.

British actor, Idris Elba, starred in the British television series, Luther, playing tough Detective, John Luther, the series having seasons, generally brief, 2011 to 2019, 21 episodes in all. There had been plans to make a feature film but various difficulties arose until this film, short time in cinemas, then released on Netflix in early 2023.

The film was written by the creator of the original series and writer of the episodes, Neill Cross. It has been directed by television veteran, Jamie Payne.

While Idris Elba reappears as Luther, the only other character from the series to reappear is his boss, Martin Shank, played by Dermot Crowley, now retired from the force. His place is taken by Odette, Cynthia Revo, British actress who made an impact in the United States by portraying abolitionist, Harriet Tubman (Oscar nomination) and, for television, Aretha Franklin. Elba had also been very successful in the United States in The Wire and many a feature film. It is good to see them in the British context with their own accents.

There is a complication for Luther, a serial killer targeting him, bringing charges against him and Luther being imprisoned – but, of course, his engineering and escape to continue his prosecution of the case.

The murder is revealed from the beginning. His played by Andy Circus, so well-known for portraying Gollum but also other villains. He appears as himself except for a rather large (and off-putting) wig.

The film is rather graphic and some of its portrayals of the murders, especially embodies hanging in the basement of a mansion.

There is tension between Luther and Odette, her wanting control of the case, but this changing when her daughter is abducted by the murderer. Luther interviews the mother of one of the murder victims and bills up a portrait of the murderer, following leads especially with a special radiofrequency, a situation in Piccadilly Circus, the murderer organising a number of people to fall from the ruse of the buildings and cause chaos – and his escaping.

Gradually, his motivation is revealed, especially a visit to his mother who was severely burned in a fire. He targets peoples with people with weaknesses, blackmails them, kills them – and has a link on the continent where he is setting up a special dark web website and getting a number of sadistic way are clients (all male).

There is a vivid climax on the continent, in the snow, on the ice, confrontation with the villains, Odette and Luther and the rescue of the daughter.

Even while watching it, the film does seem a bit far-fetched – but, it moves with quite a pace, and those who enjoy this kind of detective thriller will go with the pace.

1. The popularity of the television series? Over a period of 10 years and more? A feature film, Idris Elba, Dermot Crowley reappearing? The original writer and his screenplay?
2. The British series, the British tone, British police, authority, regulations, detection?
3. The British settings, the city of London, overviews, the streets, buildings, police centres? Homes, home for the elderly? The prison sequences? The mansion, the basement, the terror chamber? The snowclad sequences, the mansion, the basement, the production centre, screening? The musical score?
4. The opening, the young man cleaning, the phone call, the rendezvous, the dead frozen body, the man appearing from the ground, the disappearance of the young man? The arrival of the police, Luther, associates?
5. Audience knowledge of Luther, the television background, personal life, death of his wife, his style of policing, touches of violence, ability to read people? Sympathetic to the audience?
6. The introduction to the villain, his appearance, short, the week, the laugh, the voice, on the phone, summoning the young man? The plan against Luther, indicating the charges, Luther arrested, sent to jail, his experiences in the jail, the meals, the reaction of the prisoners?
7. Odette, being put in charge, her background, style of authority, the stance against Luther, his imprisonment? The detectives, the police, her calling on Martin Schenk? His working with Luther, knowing him, retired, sense of honour, understanding Luther?
8. Luther, arranging the prison break, the man hanging himself, the guards, the riot, the gates open, the smoke, Luther and his breaking free from the prisoners, from the prison, put in the van, the hold-up of the van, his liaison and helping him escape? Going to the garage, the vehicle?
9. Luther, his methods, determination, the visit in prison by the mother of the victim, and the murderer having driven her and ingratiate himself? Her anger at Luther breaking his promise to find the killer? Her visiting the house and discovering her son’s body and the other bodies? The other grieving relatives?
10. The radio broadcast, the frequency, Martin discovering it, Luther going to the address, confronting Derek, getting the information, forming a theory, the murderer’s hold over people, playing on a weakness, blackmail? Odette and the police coming to the same address, Luther’s escape?
11. The murderer, the audience understanding his madness, his visit to his mother, her being burnt, his reaction? The revelation of the online website, his liaison in Europe, filming the suicides, filming the murders, the people imprisoned in Europe?
12. Piccadilly Circus, the setup, the suicides, the crashes, Luther and his confronting the murderer, the murderer with his knife and a hostage, Odette arriving, the distractions, the murderer getting away?
13. The revelation of his contact when the police within the police force, Archie, information, the phone call, the promise to let him off, to go to his mother, inject her? Martin waiting for him, Archie killing himself?
14. Luther and his interview with the victim’s mother, getting a picture of the murderer, her dismay at being tricked?
15. Odette, the phone call to a daughter, the abduction, her being transported onto the continent?
16. Odette, desperation, the plan to get Luther, his waiting for her, confrontation, collaboration, the drive, the ferry, the snowclad landscapes, the car, walking the distance, the icy mansion, the subterranean tunnels, the studio?
17. Luther, getting in, his being subdued? Odette, the hanging bodies, thinking her daughter is there, turning on Luther? The reality of her being behind the glass panel?
18. The final set up, sadistic, the murderer, the henchmen, the technician?
19. The visualising of the clients watching, sadistic, all-male? The threats to them and their turning off?
20. The threats to smother the daughter, the murderer forcing Odette to stab Luther, the threat to Luther that he break Odette’s knee? Luther turning the tables, the attack on the technician, the fights, the murderer escaping, locking the door, the setup for kerosene and burning? Odette in the fights, freeing her daughter, trying to turn off the flow?
21. Luther, pursuing the murderer, out onto the ice, in the car, erratic, falling through the ice? The death of the murderer, the other bodies in the water? Luther, fixing the controls on the basement door? The role of the helicopters, the divers, his being rescued?
22. Odette, her daughter, thanking Luther?
23. Hospital, Martin, his recovery, and the congratulations of the authorities?