Luther Series and Movie Review: Exploring British Policing and Idris Elba’s Detective Drama

So recently Netflix released “Luther: The Fallen Sun.” This film continues the series called “Luther” by the BBC. Although they say you can watch the movie without having seen the series, we decided to watch all five seasons first before watching the movie.

After watching the series, I feel fairly knowledgeable about the British detective rank structure. I’m also quite curious about how the police operate without routine firearms. There were many scenes where Luther gets hurt by criminals armed with knives, bars, or guns, yet the officers have nothing to defend themselves with. It’s surprising to see a British cop say, “Put your hands on your head, I am the police,” while unarmed and facing someone who is armed. You have to wonder how effective that is in real life.

I don’t want to dwell on it too much, but there were several moments when I felt a bit frustrated because these officers are meant to protect people and enforce the law, yet they sometimes seem outmatched by their opponents. Coming from the U.S., where police are typically armed, it’s a different approach that can be hard to fully understand.

It’s also interesting to see how criminals behave in the series. For example, there was a scene with a man wielding a hammer causing a group of people to scatter. It seemed like it would only take one brave person to stop him, let alone a crowd. But everyone ran, which allowed the situation to escalate. It’s a dramatic portrayal that adds tension.

In any case, Luther is a detective, and a really skilled one. Like many great detectives in fiction, he sometimes walks a fine line between doing what’s right, what needs to be done, and what’s allowed by the rules. He’s a good guy and a good cop, but he’s not always playing by the book.

I do feel for his character because he rarely gets a break. He’s often stressed and things tend to go from bad to worse. I was hoping the movie would bring some improvement for him, maybe even happiness. While that may happen eventually, it hasn’t yet.

If you’re planning to watch the film, you can jump straight into it. Idris Elba himself mentioned that on TikTok. However, I found it more enjoyable to watch the entire series first, though it’s not necessary. The seasons are fairly short—one even had just two episodes. The show is a bit older but remains a great watch, especially if you want to get more invested before the movie. Definitely worth it in my opinion.

Please note, I’m talking about the “Luther” series starring Idris Elba. I saw another version that looks like a French remake or adaptation. That’s just a different take and felt a bit unusual to me!