Film Reviews & Movie Analysis

Created and Written by Neil Cross

Broadcast: BBC One
Concluded: 04/01/19
Synopsis: Revived once more, Luther finds himself tangled in situations out of his control. Old friends, old allies and new foes with the same old agenda.
Cast: Idris Elba, Ruth Wilson, Patrick Malahide, Wunmi Mosaku, Dermot Crowley, Enzo Cilenti.
Episodes: Four

A killer is targeting victims at random across London. He has a distinct taste and grotesque fantasies, and it’s the job of DCI John Luther (Idris Elba) and his latest partner DS Catherine Halliday (Wunmi Mosaku) to get into his mind and stop him.

Despite the man hunt for London’s latest serial killer, Luther has another issue pulling his attention. Old school gangster George Cornelius (Patrick Malahide) thinks that Luther is the key to getting his hands on someone he is after – he’s not wrong, but the further down the rabbit hole they both plunge, the balance shifts and the rules change.

There’s no guarantee that Luther will be able to make it out of this one intact.

This was really really good – creepy, entertaining, smart, violent and nostalgic. Season five was everything Season four was supposed to be when they brought back the show as a supposed one off in 2015.

Idris Elba stepped back into the role of DCI John Luther seamlessly after the three year interlude. His character was appropriately changed based on past tragedies and pairing him with the slightly peppy DC Halliday made the series feel refreshed and renewed.

There was a good balance between the case and Luther’s personal problems, and even though we as the audience are never truly sure what our tweed coat clad hero is thinking; it was good to see his indecision as he juggled both his responsibilities and his outer turmoil when things got to hard to handle.

I thought the assailant Jeremy (Enzo Cilenti) was incredibly intriguing – as far as crazed killers go – the telescopic look we got into his psyche made his crimes all the more realistic. Let’s just say that I for one will never be sitting on the top deck of a bus at night ever again.

If you haven’t watched any of Luther I suggest going back and starting at the beginning. It’s a British show so even though there are four seasons to binge – you’re only looking at sixteen episodes. Going back will give you a greater sense of understanding of Luther’s character – you’ll understand why he doesn’t fear death and why he values the lives of the innocent.

Season Five ended on the perfect note of circularity. Though I both want and need more of DCI John Luther – part of me feels like this would also be the perfect place to stop.

Trailer Below…..