‘It’s hard to take seriously!’ Luther: The Fallen Sun is panned by critics ahead of Netflix release
Luther: The Fallen Sun has been panned by critics after the Netflix crime thriller was shown in select cinemas ahead of its streaming release.
Idris Elba’s latest film has received a wave of two-star reviews, with critics claiming that the “ridiculous” image is “jumbled,” “far-fetched,” and “ridiculous.”
The film, which hits the small screen on March 10, follows DCI John Luther (Idris) as he escapes his maximum-security prison to capture a cyber psychopath and serial killer, played by Andy Serkis.
But Variety has painted the ‘difficult to take seriously’ picture rich said the film – based on the 2010 BBC series – felt ‘rather recycled’.
Brian Viner wrote in the Daily Mail: ‘It bombards us with an overload of everything, especially plot, with a psychotic villain played by Andy Serkis who seems to have arrived in modern London straight from the bowels of the underworld.’
Uh-oh: Luther: The Fallen Sun has been panned by critics after the Netflix crime thriller was shown in select cinemas ahead of its streaming release
The protectorThe review of the series stated, “The serial killer accessories feel hand-me-down; the Scandi noir touch is fake and storylines in the films about evil criminal plans to stream snuff porn live are frankly always bland and implausible.’
The action-packed teaser begins with Luther fighting with fellow inmates before breaking out.
Once he’s free and back in town, it seems a woman needs his help to get revenge on someone after she did something bad to her son.
His character is then heard to say, “I’ve got to stop this guy, I’m still a cop,” before the armed forces are told that if he doesn’t step down, they’ll “shoot him dead.”
The villain of the film is then heard to say, “John, I looked you straight in the eye because I was curious and I wanted to know if you would see it in me.” Because that’s who you are, isn’t it, the man who knows everything about people like me.’
Exciting scenes then show Luther with blood on his face after fighting, as he says, “He wants the world to think the bad dream has come true.”
Viewers then see Luther fighting the villain in a London Underground station before being retrained by armed officers.
Disappointing: Idris Elba’s latest movie garnered a spate of two-star reviews, with critics claiming the “ridiculous” image is “jumbled,” “far-fetched,” and “ridiculous”
Plot: The film follows DCI John Luther (Idris) as he escapes from his maximum security prison to capture a cyber psychopath and serial killer played by Andy Serkis.
It ends with a close-up of Luther saying, “Bring on the nightmare, because I’m ready.”
Speaking on Wednesday’s Good Morning Britain, Andy admitted that he “almost didn’t consider” taking on the role of David Robey because it was “one of the darkest roles” he’s ever been offered.
The Hollywood actor, 58, revealed that he wanted to take a shower when he first read the script as he began to understand the darkness of his character.
Speaking to Susanna Reid and Ed Balls, Andy started by saying, “It’s so well directed.” For people who loved the TV series, this is on an elevated, grander scale.”
He added, “When I first read the script, I literally wanted to take a shower.
“It was one of the darkest parts I’ve ever gotten and I almost considered not doing it.
Oh no! But Variety has slated the “difficult to take seriously” picture, while Empire said the film – based on the 2010 BBC series – felt “rather recycled.”
“What’s brilliant about Neil Cross and the writing is he makes the villains in Luther about (us).
“Very real, and around the corner, under the bed – it’s in our lives. This one in particular is about the horror that is the internet. The power of the internet and someone like David Robey, the character I play, manipulates people who use it.
“He’s a master of surveillance, he’s used to manipulating people, he’s kind of an observer of people because he can’t connect to humanity and so he observes them… It’s very frightening and writing Neil Cross is brilliant at that.’
Andy continued, adding, “What was exciting, (is that) I’ve played some dark characters before and I just thought, is this what I want to do now?”
“It was so timely and so important as a debate about the internet, and how we really surrendered to it.
“How we’ve given our lives to it and (how happy we are) knowing that we’re being watched 24/7 through our laptop cameras, through our phones and David Robey, my character, just knows how to use that.
“The villain is us, we accepted it.”
Finally, when asked if his new role has encouraged him to put down his phone, Andy confessed, “It hasn’t and that’s the point, we’re all addicts, that’s the point!” We have become slaves to them (telephones).’
Luther: The Fallen Sun was released in UK cinemas on February 24 and will be on Netflix on March 10.
Confession: Andy recently admitted that he almost ‘didn’t consider’ playing the role of David Robey because it was ‘one of the darkest parts’ he’s ever been offered’