Summary

• The Super Mario Bros. Movie introduces the dark and nihilistic character, Lumalee, who hilariously celebrates the "sweet relief of death" with a child-like voice, which surprises and distresses other characters like Luigi and Bowser's captors.
• Lumalee's character in the movie is inspired by the Lumas from Super Mario Galaxy, who willingly sacrifice themselves to become planets or supernovas to save galaxies. This context explains why Lumalee has such a grim outlook on life and death.
• Lumalee's twisted personality in The Super Mario Bros. Movie hints at the introduction of Rosalina, a character from Super Mario Galaxy, in the movie's sequel. Lumalee's story could connect to Rosalina's role as the adoptive mother of the Lumas and her mission to search for their lost mother.

The Super Mario Bros. Movie features a lot of legacy characters from the games, although few made as much of an impression with audiences as the incredibly dark Lumalee. The glowing star spoke with a child-like voice and hilariously spouted endless nihilistic doom, much to the distress of Luigi and Bowser's other captors. While seeing a tiny talking star celebrating the "sweet relief of death" was unforgettable, many wondered why Lumlalee was so dark. While the Lumalee Mario movie scenes don't offer a full explanation, there is a perfect reason for him being such a grim character.

Lumalee first appeared in the games in Super Mario Galaxy. Ironically, the Mario movie Lumalee doesn't help Luigi escape from Bowser's castle, and when he's freed by Mario and Donkey Kong, he's not very happy about it. At the end of The Super Mario Bros. Movie, he appears again to explain that there's nothing left for the audience except the "infinite void," before serenading them with the Super Mario Bros. Overworld Theme on his saxophone over the credits. While the Lumas in Super Mario Galaxy don't share the movie's nihilism, they do help explain why Lumalee is so dark.

Super Mario Bros' Lumas Want To Be Fed Until They Explode Into Planets

The Mario Movie Lumalee Wishing For Death Is A Hilarious Nod To Super Mario Galaxy

Lumalee might seem strangely content with meeting death's "merciful release," in Bowser's castle, but it makes sense given the context of Lumas. In Super Mario Galaxy, Lumas beg for Mario to overfeed them so that they eventually explode and become planets or supernovas. In order to save galaxies, Lumas will happily sacrifice themselves, making Lumalee's behavior fitting even if it freaks out Luigi, the Penguin King, and other trapped members of the Snow Kingdom.

The juxtaposition of the "cute but cuckoo" bouncing Lumalee discussing annihilation in a child-like voice is one of the most hilarious running gags in The Super Mario Bros. Movie. Much like how Bowser's "Peaches" song is so catchy due to its perfect blend of wonder and cynicism, the Lumalee's nihilistic obsession with death is a clever way to reference the Luma's purpose in the Super Mario Bros. franchise while also being completely unexpected. The contextualization of these legacy characters is one of the many reasons the movie does right by fans of the gaming franchise while at the same time offering innovative and fresh interpretations.

Super Mario Bros' Twisted Lumalee Sets Up Rosalina's Sequel Introduction

The Dark Lumalee In The Mario Movie Foreshadows The Franchise's Next Princess

Lumalee might be twisted, but his appearance in The Super Mario Bros. Movie sets up Rosalina's introduction in The Super Mario Bros. Movie 2. Rosalina first appeared in Super Mario Galaxy and lives in the Comet Observatory, where she keeps watch over all the cosmos and acts as the adoptive mother of the Lumas. Operating as Mario's guide in the game, her backstory is unlocked chapter by chapter, and it's eventually revealed that she found a lost Luma on an old spaceship and vowed to help search for its mother, eventually taking in other Lumas along their journey.

Every 100 years she visits the Mushroom Kingdom, and on one of her visits, Bowser attacks the Comet Observatory to steal its Grand Stars and Power Stars, forcing her to send Mario and Luigi after him. If Bowser seeks revenge in Super Mario Bros. 2, the plot could follow the same template and involve Rosalina and Lumalee, who might be eager to see Bowser get his comeuppance. The breakout "star" of The Super Mario Bros. Movie deserves a chance at happiness after everything he's been through.