Cillian Murphy reprises his role as Tommy Shelby in the much-anticipated movie Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man, which advances the story into the era of World War II. The film depicts British gangsters collaborating with Nazis to destabilize the U.K. economy, incorporating themes that reflect troubling contemporary issues. Murphy discussed the project in an interview with The Telegraph, confronting the reality that groups like political commentator Nick Fuentes openly express Nazi sympathies on social media.
Murphy Addresses Sensitive Themes without Preaching
When informed about the Nazis serving as antagonists in a time where far-right ideology is disturbingly visible online, Murphy responded, “That’s profoundly upsetting,” expressing concern over the current climate. He emphasized that the film deliberately avoids a heavy-handed or didactic approach.
“But then this film wears that lightly — it’s not ‘The Zone of Interest,’ let’s put it that way. And, look, the last thing I want to be involved in is preachy or dogmatic work because films should never tell you how to feel. They should just ask questions. This should be an entertaining action film with a big heart, but if you want to look closer it could be provocative too. The best mainstream entertainment operates simultaneously on those levels,”
Murphy explained.
Drawing Parallels with Oppenheimer’s Message
Murphy also referred to his Oscar-winning role in Christopher Nolan’s Oppenheimer when discussing how films can handle serious subjects while remaining accessible. He remarked,
“If you want to talk about where we are in the world and look at how close we are to nuclear fucking Armageddon, you can think about ‘Oppenheimer’ in that way, but if you just want to look at a great film with big explosions then that’s cool as well.”
New Characters and Familiar Faces in the Peaky Blinders Cast
Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man introduces Barry Keoghan as Duke Shelby, the illegitimate son of Tommy who has now taken command of the Peaky Blinders gang. Returning cast members include Stephen Graham and Ned Dennehy, reprising their roles as family allies Hayden Stagg and Charlie Strong. The film also adds new talent such as Rebecca Ferguson and Jay Lycurgo to its lineup.
Release Date and Anticipated Impact
Set to launch on Netflix on March 20, Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man promises to blend gripping action with thought-provoking themes. By confronting dark historical alliances and current social tensions, the movie looks to resonate beyond pure entertainment. Murphy’s cautious approach suggests an intention to spark reflection without dictating perspectives, potentially influencing conversations around both history and the present.
