Luther: The Fallen Sun is a rollicking action thriller adapted from TV series of the same name. Here, however, the material gets the Netflix feature film treatment with the aim of building a franchise. John Luther (Idris Elba) is sent to a crime scene to solve the disappearance of a young man. Ultimately getting too close to the truth unseen forces dig up dirt to send Luther to prison. Luther’s goal: To get out of prison, to solve the disappearance, and ultimately clear his name. Along the way, we are treated to spectacular action sequences, hefty production values, and charismatic performances. What’s missing?

It’s no spoiler that cool as a cucumber David (Andy Serkis) is the bad guy. Having shown up at the scene of the opening crime years before, he now trapeses about his clinically curated London flat while delivering cryptic orders via phone to various goons. It’s only when Luther manages a prison break that David even bats an eye. Upon escape, Luther reaches out to former partner Martin (Dermot Crowley) for help At the same time, acting police chief Odette Raine (Cynthia Erivo) is attempting to solve the continuing string of disappearances. With Luther on the run, Odette calls Martin in for assistance on the case and in luring renegade detective Luther in. With the clock ticking before another victim falls prey to the nefarious David a trio of detectives on both sides of the law is clamoring to chase their goals. Odette needs to solve a case, Martin needs to save a friend, and Luther needs to clear his name.

Neil Cross had a hefty assignment in adapting his long-running  TV series into a feature. With a fair amount of time given to Luther’s backstory, we are given little time to really understand him. His only throughline is that he is, ultimately, a man with a moral compass. Thankfully Serkis delivers yet another wonderfully skeevy performance as the diabolical mastermind orchestrating the mayhem. In fact, his hair in this film alone should be seriously considered for an award. Serkis’ performance is nasty, and slimy, and fills in the unexplained gaps in the story and development well enough to save the movie. Elba is a solid leading man but we are given little more than the “action-hero” range of emotions. Perhaps this is due to the breakneck pace of the story but a little more character development for the leading man would have done wonders.

Luther: The Fallen Sun is a fun if forgettable actioner that delivers exactly what any fan of the genre would rightfully expect. We have the fallen hero in a race to clear his name. We have the absurdly resourceful supervillain who somehow anticipates every variable. We have a collection of innocent victims in the crossfire. We even have some remarkable set pieces that are unquestionably spectacular. Somehow though, Cross and director Jamie Payne got all of this pitch-perfect but forgot to connect the audience to the hero. We certainly grow to like him by virtue of his resourcefulness and sense of justice. Yet a simple moment to identify with our leading man early on might have really driven the narrative.  Regardless, all of the elements are here for above-average action and suspense.

6 Out of 10