Luther: The Fallen Sun dropped on Netflix on Friday (March 10), marking the feature debut of Idris Elba’s titular detective. The film was billed as “an epic continuation of the award-winning television saga,” but it appears to have divided opinion with some fans of the series saying The Fallen Sun is so “terrible” it should be avoided “at all costs.”
The feature-length crime drama sees the return of the disgraced DCI John Luther after the dramatic conclusion of the fifth and final season of BBC’s hit series. Its official synopsis reads: “In Luther: The Fallen Sun, a gruesome serial killer is terrorizing London while brilliant but disgraced detective John Luther sits behind bars.
“Haunted by his failure to capture the cyber psychopath who now taunts him, Luther decides to break out of prison to finish the job by any means necessary.”
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Directed by Jamie Payne – director of several Luther episodes – and written by series creator Neil Cross, The Fallen Sun sees Luther pitted against menacing tech billionaire David Robey, played by The Lord of the Rings star Andy Serkis. Also starring is Cynthia Erivo as counter-intelligence operative Odette Raine, and Dermot Crowley, who reprises his role as Luther’s former superintendent DSU Martin Schenk.
The Luther series proved a big hit for the BBC both in the UK and the United States. Elba received particular praise throughout the show’s five-season run, earning a Critics’ Choice Television Award, Golden Globe, and Screen Actors Guild Award for his performance.
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But the film has failed to achieve the same impact and has received mixed reviews online, where it currently holds a mediocre 6.5/10 on IMDb. Fans of the series have been left disappointed after watching The Fallen Sun, with some saying it is so “terrible” it should be avoided.
On Twitter, @TisforTracy said: “This was so bad, I have no words. What an embarrassment to the actors who had to play out this horrible idea and script. Truly awful, I’m sorry to say.”
@DavidLFC_Vought said: “I thought it was pretty bad and a mess of a film and I'm a huge Luther fan.”
@mlle_benoit_ echoed: “It’s beyond awful. Looks like it’s been filmed by a Film Studies student, each punch and pin against the wall choreographed within an inch. Idris acts well but the rest of the cast are dismal. So bad I fell asleep after an hour and I’m a massive Luther fan.”
@SiClancy warned: “If you’re a fan of Luther then you should avoid the new Netflix film at all costs. Because it’s absolutely terrible.”
But some fans have been more generous, with particular praise attributed to the performances and the film’s “gripping story.” @turtledumplin said: “Watching Luther on Netflix. 10/10 recommend.”
@cliffc100 said: “It’s a very good gripping story, and the ending leaves it open for either a sequel or a new series.”
@JoaquinMarcosM said: “We watched it last night. Really enjoyed it. Well acted. Plot got a bit far fetched, but had to make it a movie rather than tv show, I guess. Thought Cynthia Erivo was excellent too.”
@Anele simply said: “The Luther movie is good. Very good.”
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