Luther: The Fallen Sun
Netflix
You can follow along with the new feature length Luther instalment - Luther: The Fallen Sun - whether you've seen the series or not; there's not a lot of narrative continuity between the previous five seasons and the new film. But, undoubtedly, it's a better experience if you have. The Fallen Sun (a completely perfunctory subtitle that needn't be there) sees our skilled by troublesome detective jailed for his frequent colouring-outside-the-lines efforts. But there's a criminal on the outside (Andy Serkis, creepy as all hell and giving Rick Astley fashion vibes) who haunts Luther, figuratively and literally, when he starts sending messages. Of course, Luther can't let a bad guy get away, so he breaks out of prison to apprehend the criminal mastermind. The film has the series' trademark heavy dread in its crimes, and it's just brilliant to catch up with the titular detective again. Idris Elba is such a presence in his iconic coat. The only trouble is Luther has so little regard for his own life that it's difficult for the audience to feel the stakes are particularly high. Another enjoyable edition to the Luther canon.
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School Spirits
Paramount+
Picture it - a whole bunch of people who have died on school grounds gather for an afterlife support group. That's one of the central story threads of Paramount+'s delightful new mystery series School Spirits, starring and produced by Cobra Kai's Peyton List. List plays Maddie, a teen who finds herself in the afterlife after waking up in her school's boiler room and seeing blood on the walls. She's officially a missing person - no body has been found - and she can't remember what happened to her, something that surprises her fellow 'school spirits'. The ghosties come from a range of different eras, and make for some great side characters. They all work towards moving on, and not fixating on their deaths, but Maddie just can't let it go and is determined to figure out who murdered her.
True Lies
Disney+
When you think about movies that deserve the TV show revamp treatment, True Lies probably isn't the first title that springs to mind. But, nonetheless, it's got a mission-of-the-week new life on Disney+. The series sees spy Harry Tasker (not Arnie this time, but Steve Howey, who is rather lacking in charisma) forced to reveal his secret agent double life to wife Helen (She-Hulk's Ginger Gonzaga, who is far more enjoyable to watch) after she fears he's having an affair. With this new knowledge, she's pulled into their shadowy organisation - run by Beverly D'Angelo (National Lampoons Vacation) - to also become a spy, because logic be damned. Episodes are basically Alias without the double-crossing intrigue. Some of the characters are fun though.
Rain Dogs
Binge
There's not a lot to glean from the first episode of HBO dramedy Rain Dogs. A mother and daughter are evicted from their home and mum Costello does her best to hustle and find new accommodation. Meanwhile, her wealthy friend (perhaps? Their relationship is not super clear) is released from jail and helps out. Costello is a bit of a hot mess, but she's crafty. Time will tell where this series, which has a great punky soundtrack, is headed.
