AceShowbiz - Peaky Blinders became a defining British gangster drama of the 2010s, built on a potent mix of atmosphere, attitude, and the magnetic presence of Cillian Murphy. Set in Birmingham from 1919 to the mid-1930s, the series often drew superficial comparisons to The Sopranos due to their shared themes of violence, outsider status, and male archetypes. However, the similarity ends there; Peaky Blinders prioritized a bro-core aesthetic blending punk and hard rock with sharp-dressed thugs, while The Sopranos leaned into cinematic depth.

The show’s hallmark was its slick production design and evocative cinematography, featuring wool suits, newsboy caps, and horses that enhanced its gritty cool. Yet, despite these strengths, its writing sometimes fell short of the atmospheric promise.

The new feature film, Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man, available on Netflix from March 20, 2024, offers a visually rich but narratively modest epilogue to the series, which concluded in 2022 after six seasons. Directed by Tom Harper and scripted by series creator Steven Knight, the 1 hour 52 minutes film stars Cillian Murphy, Barry Keoghan, Rebecca Ferguson, Tim Roth, and others.

While the film delivers strong performances—especially from Keoghan, who exudes a compelling screen presence with every character interaction—it occasionally feels rushed, prioritizing plot advancement over emotional depth. The dialogue can feel overly simplistic, suffering from what might be called second screen-itis, where exposition dominates and subtlety fades.

The story revisits Murphy’s character, Tommy Shelby, now an older, haunted man in 1940. The Midlands are reeling under the Blitz, and Tommy has retreated from the violent life he once led. After surviving a false death prediction and confronting his brutal legacy, he has burned his Romani caravan and lives in isolation, writing an autobiographical confession on a typewriter amid memories of his deceased daughter. His brother Arthur has distanced himself for undisclosed reasons.

Tommy’s solitude is disrupted by two determined women: his politically active sister Ada (Sophie Rundle) and Kaulo (Rebecca Ferguson), a Romani woman who serves as a mystical guide calling Tommy toward an inevitable fate. Ada informs Tommy that Birmingham’s underworld is collapsing under his son’s reckless leadership, while Kaulo’s character hints at supernatural elements, possibly channeling her dead twin sister—the mother of Tommy’s illegitimate son.

This son, Duke, played by Barry Keoghan, is a nihilistic figure who has taken over the Peaky Blinders with destructive ambitions. Duke’s criminal activities include stealing military artillery and morphine supplies, endangering Britain’s war efforts. His ruthless behavior is further complicated by an alliance with British fascist John Beckett (Tim Roth), who aims to destabilize the economy through counterfeit currency. Duke is tempted by wealth and the fascist’s admiration for his perceived masculinity.

The film’s central tension revolves around whether Tommy can save his son from a self-destructive path or if Duke is as lost and empty as his father has become. This father-son dynamic anchors the narrative, blending familial strife with larger wartime stakes.

Visually, Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man is stunning. Director of photography George Steel employs masterful compositions and contrasts, capturing the misty, ancient streets of Northern England with a sensuous, crepuscular light that immerses viewers in the setting’s cold, damp atmosphere. However, occasional visual flourishes—such as hazy dream sequences—can feel clichéd. The cast’s sharp cheekbones and intense stares add to the film’s stylized misery, making it both a feast for the eyes and a showcase of melancholic brooding.

Overall, the film offers "stylish misery business"—a high-gloss continuation of the Peaky Blinders mythos that balances strong performances and impressive visuals with a narrative that sometimes struggles to maintain its emotional weight. It is best enjoyed as a visually rich, if somewhat surface-level, coda to the beloved TV series.

Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man is rated R and runs 1 hour 52 minutes. It was produced by Garrison Drama, Nebulastar, and BBC Film, with producers including Jamie Glazebrook, Tom Harper, and Cillian Murphy himself.