Set in Birmingham in 1940 during the turmoil of World War II, the film Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man sees Tommy Shelby, played by Cillian Murphy, break his self-imposed exile to confront threats that endanger both his family and the nation. As the shadow of the Nazis looms over Britain, Tommy faces his past traumas and must decide whether to preserve his legacy or destroy it entirely.
This movie continuation of the acclaimed Peaky Blinders series stars Cillian Murphy Peaky Blinders fans have long admired, stepping back into the signature tailored suits and dark world of the Shelby crime family. The film adapts the gang’s saga to a cinematic format while maintaining the show’s hallmark violence and epic storytelling, offering a gripping if condensed, two-hour experience.
A Dark Return to a Familiar Turf
Taking place five years after the series ended, Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man follows Tommy Shelby as he emerges from isolation just as World War II intensifies its impact on the British Isles with aerial bombings. Known for weaving themes of nationalism and extremism into its narrative, the franchise now explores the threat the Nazis pose, fitting seamlessly within its historical framework.
Haunted by PTSD from his World War I experiences, Tommy endeavors to chronicle his turbulent past with a memoir he titles The Immortal Man. Meanwhile, his son Duke, portrayed by Barry Keoghan, has assumed control of Birmingham’s criminal underworld in his father’s absence. Duke’s complex relationship with Beckett, a criminal played by Tim Roth, reflects his dissatisfaction with his current role and ambition for more power. Tommy’s return aims to restore the Peaky Blinders’ dominance and recalibrate the precarious balance of control in the city.
Reunion of the Cast with New Faces
The movie reunites much of the original Peaky Blinders cast alongside fresh additions, blending nostalgia with new dynamics. Stephen Graham reprises his role as Hayden Stagg, dubbed the “King of Liverpool,” while Packy Lee returns as Johnny Dogs. Ned Dennehy appears as Charlie Strong and Sophie Rundle as Ada Thorne. Newcomer Rebecca Ferguson takes on the challenging dual roles of the twins Kaulo and Zelda, adding intrigue to the expanding world.
Given the large number of familiar characters who did not survive the series finale, the film understandably spends significant time explaining the power vacuum and introducing which characters represent key alliances. This expository element helps bridge the five-year gap since the television series concluded. Although many beloved characters return, the story centers heavily on the father-son relationship between Murphy’s Tommy and Keoghan’s Duke, whose dynamic has been compared to the intense performances of Daniel Day-Lewis and Leonardo DiCaprio in Gangs of New York. Keoghan fits seamlessly into the role of Tommy’s ambitious and restless heir.
Expanding the Crime World into Wartime Britain
Peaky Blinders has traditionally excelled in portraying the gritty, violent atmosphere of 1920s and 1930s England, shaped by competing gang factions and crime families unique to the Birmingham region. While the original series explored this world over 36 episodes spanning six seasons, the film condenses the story into just under two hours, leading to a feeling that the narrative lacks sufficient space to fully develop its complexities.
The movie retains the signature anachronistic soundtrack that has been crucial in defining the series’ style, but its compressed structure limits the story’s depth. Tommy Shelby’s towering legacy remains central, and his return from exile reveals that little has changed about his hardened nature. However, casting the Nazis as the main villains shifts the storyline from criminals versus authority figures to criminals positioned as reluctant heroes. This recasting alters the tone, softening Tommy’s anti-hero image to something more traditionally heroic, which might feel surprising to longtime viewers accustomed to the show’s more rebellious, punk-inspired energy.
Director Tom Harper’s Cinematic Vision
Tom Harper, who previously directed three episodes of the first Peaky Blinders season, helms this film with a cinematic sensibility that elevates it beyond an extended television episode. Harper’s experience with larger productions, such as the spy thriller Heart of Stone starring Gal Gadot, and the adventure film The Aeronauts on Prime Video, prepares him well for capturing the bleak, violent mood of the Peaky Blinders universe.
Cinematographer George Steel visually enhances the film’s cold, wintry atmosphere through compelling shots, including a memorable image of Tommy on horseback featured prominently in the film’s promotion. While Steven Knight’s writing clearly demonstrates his intimate understanding of the Shelby family and their journey, the screenplay struggles with pacing and focus. Emotional scenes can become overly melodramatic, and the story attempts to pack too much into its limited running time. These factors sometimes dilute the film’s emotional impact and create a tonal inconsistency.
Standout Performances Amidst Narrative Challenges
Despite these storytelling hurdles, Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man offers powerful performances from its leads. Cillian Murphy and Barry Keoghan, both widely regarded as among the finest actors today, deliver compelling portrayals of a fractured father-son dynamic at the film’s heart. Their chemistry grounds the movie and provides some of its strongest moments.
However, newcomers to the franchise might find it difficult to follow the plot, especially given the complex backstory developed over two decades in the show. Longtime fans have come to expect a blend of action, drama, and violence spanning multiple seasons, making it challenging to encapsulate the essence of Peaky Blinders within just 112 minutes. While the film delivers the intense, brutal confrontations that define the series, many aspects feel rushed or underdeveloped.
The decision to craft a feature film rather than continuing with a seventh season or a limited series leaves some of the franchise’s depth unexplored. More time to develop characters and tighten the narrative could have enhanced the overall impact and better honored the legacy of the story.
Now Showing and Streaming Dates
Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man is currently playing in theaters and will become available for streaming on Netflix starting March 20th, giving fans worldwide another chance to revisit the dark world of Tommy Shelby and his family.
