Does Luther Have a Good Ending? A Deep Dive into the Detective’s Fate
The question of whether Luther has a “good ending” is complex, and the answer largely depends on one’s perspective. It’s not a simple yes or no. The character of John Luther, brilliantly portrayed by Idris Elba, operates in a moral grey area, and his endings often reflect that ambiguity. While the franchise has delivered cathartic moments, they are frequently tinged with the bittersweet reality of Luther’s compromised life and choices. Instead of a clean, heroic finish, Luther’s journey is marked by survival, often at a personal cost. To fully understand, let’s explore the different facets of Luther’s narrative and dissect what constitutes a “good ending” for this complex character.
A Look at Luther’s Endings Across the Series and Film
Series Endings: A Cycle of Hope and Despair
The Luther television series is characterized by its dark tone and morally ambiguous characters. Each series finale has provided a resolution to the immediate conflicts, but these are often at the expense of Luther’s personal life. Season 1 saw him facing the consequences of his brutal actions, with Zoe, his wife, tragically killed. Season 2 showed him deeper into the rabbit hole of his own making, entangled with Alice Morgan. Season 3 ended with Alice seemingly dead, a temporary respite only to see her return. Season 4 ended with a betrayal, and season 5 with him being arrested.
These endings highlight a recurring pattern: Luther may solve the case, but he rarely finds peace. The series often leaves him facing the consequences of his actions, whether it’s personal loss, legal trouble, or ethical compromises. These endings are often far from a “good” happy ending, as they emphasize the cyclical nature of his struggle against crime, darkness, and his own demons. There is no lasting joy, but instead a continuous battle, making the endings realistic, if not satisfying in the conventional sense.
Luther: The Fallen Sun and Its Ambiguous Conclusion
Luther: The Fallen Sun, the film continuation of the series, provides a unique ending to this cycle. It sees Luther escape prison, take down a formidable serial killer, David Robey, and seemingly be recruited by MI5. This finale has a more open-ended conclusion. While Luther is not free in the conventional sense—he is being taken to his new assignment—it feels like a new chapter. The movie ends on a cliffhanger, with Luther entering a car for an unknown assignment, leaving his future unclear.
This ending is not a typical “good” ending as it does not give Luther the closure, peace, or redemption one might expect. But, it presents a sense of hope as he’s moving out of the prison setting to potentially use his skills for good again. The film’s conclusion, while not providing the clean-cut resolution some might crave, allows for the character’s potential future stories, leaving the audience speculating about what’s next.
Defining “Good” for Luther
What constitutes a good ending for John Luther? If it’s about him being free from the moral compromises he is constantly forced to make, then the series provides little of that. If it’s about a happy, fulfilling personal life, then the series also fails. The show has continuously shown us that his relationships are doomed, and his life is a constant struggle.
However, a good ending for Luther could be seen as one where his skills are used for the greater good, where his unique brand of justice is applied even if it exists outside the conventional system. The ending of The Fallen Sun seems to be leaning in that direction; if Luther’s ending is about finding a purpose, then the ambiguous ending, which hints at MI5, is potentially a “good” one.
Ultimately, a good ending for Luther is likely to be a complex one, as his character is not simple and straightforward. His fate will always be intertwined with the darkness he fights, with the sacrifices he makes, and the moral boundaries he often crosses. If viewers are looking for neat resolutions, they won’t find them. But the endings are usually logical, given the character’s dark path.
The Gray Area is Part of the Appeal
The appeal of Luther lies precisely in its morally ambiguous characters and its unwillingness to offer easy answers. The endings, rather than providing a traditional “happily ever after,” serve to emphasize the ongoing battle of this flawed protagonist. A “good ending” for Luther might not be about him escaping the darkness, but learning to navigate it in a manner that, in his twisted way, serves some semblance of justice. It’s this complexity that makes Luther so compelling.
Conclusion
The endings in Luther are not traditional, but they are true to the character. They reflect the dark, ambiguous world he inhabits and highlight the sacrifices he makes. The end result is often a blend of hope and melancholy, a feeling that while he might have won the battle, the war against the darkness is far from over. The ambiguity is what leaves fans discussing and pondering his fate and it is, therefore, a big part of the series’ success. Whether that is a good ending or not is, perhaps, for each viewer to decide.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What happens at the end of Luther: The Fallen Sun?
At the end of Luther: The Fallen Sun, Luther is taken from prison to seemingly be recruited by MI5. He gets into a car with a civil servant, indicating his future is tied to this new organization. The film concludes without revealing his new mission or long-term fate.
2. Does Luther get out of prison in The Fallen Sun?
Yes, Luther orchestrates his escape from prison by bribing guards to allow other inmates to attack him, providing an excuse for a transfer, and from where he is broken out by McCabe. This allows him to pursue David Robey, the serial killer central to the plot of the film.
3. Is Luther: The Fallen Sun a sequel to the Luther series?
Yes, Luther: The Fallen Sun is a film continuation of the Luther series, starring Idris Elba, Cynthia Erivo, and Andy Serkis. It serves as a feature-length story following Luther’s journey.
4. Does Luther become James Bond?
No, the ending of Luther: The Fallen Sun subtly implies that Idris Elba will likely not be the next James Bond. The film acknowledges the character’s similarities to the iconic spy and thus eliminates any direct comparison.
5. Why did Luther go to jail?
At the end of the fifth season of Luther, he is arrested after being unable to save his ex-lover-turned-nemesis Alice Morgan. The film Fallen Sun starts with him still serving his time behind bars.
6. Who was the killer in Luther: The Fallen Sun?
The killer in Luther: The Fallen Sun is David Robey, played by Andy Serkis. He is a wealthy serial killer who engages in complex and gruesome schemes, forcing Luther to track him down.
7. Is Alice Morgan still alive in the Luther universe?
While it is hard to imagine her surviving her fall at the end of series 5, Alice Morgan, according to series creator Neil Cross, is very much still alive. He sees an avenue for her return to the story in the future.
8. Does Luther find out he’s innocent?
In The Fallen Sun, Luther is wrongly accused of crimes. Schenk interrogates Ripley and concludes that Luther is not the killer. Then, Luther is able to record Reed’s confession which helps clear his name.
9. What happens to Zoe in Luther?
Zoe, Luther’s wife, is tragically killed by Ian Reed in the first series of Luther. Her death is a significant plot point and source of anguish for Luther.
10. Does Luther need to watch the series before the film?
No, you don’t need to watch the Luther series before seeing Luther: The Fallen Sun. The film is designed to be a standalone story that new viewers can understand, with the ability to explore the series afterward.
11. What are some of the transformations Luther goes through in other franchises?
In The Umbrella Academy, Luther is critically wounded and injected with a serum that transforms him into a human-ape hybrid, enhancing his strength and durability. These transformations are not in the Luther show or film.
12. Is Luther a good or a bad guy?
Luther is a morally ambiguous character. He tries to uphold the law but often breaks it to achieve what he sees as justice. He exists in a gray area where the ends justify the means.
13. Why was Luther transformed into a movie by Netflix?
Netflix decided to create a Luther movie due to the BBC’s limited budgets for the show. Netflix allowed for a larger production and wider audience reach.
14. What happened to Callum in Luther: The Fallen Sun?
Callum Aldrich is a victim who is kidnapped and killed by the serial killer David Robey in Luther: The Fallen Sun.
15. How did Season 5 of Luther end?
Season 5 of Luther ended with the serial killer Jeremy Lake being arrested along with his accomplice wife, and Luther himself being arrested for his many wrongdoings over the course of the season.