From 2013 to 2022, Peaky Blinders, created by Steven Knight, dominated TV’s crime drama landscape with its distinctive style and unforgettable characters.
At the heart of it all was Birmingham’s Tommy Shelby (Cillian Murphy), a war-scarred anti-hero who rose from the trauma of the First World War trenches to lead his family’s Romani-traveller crime empire. Despite his ruthless nature, you always found yourself rooting for him as he navigated the dangerous interwar underworld.
Now he returns in a one-off big screen adaptation that serves as a fitting if not perfect end to the Peaky Blinders saga.
Set in 1940, Tommy is no longer the commanding figure we once knew. Living alone in his mansion and haunted by the ghosts of his past, he feels like a man hollowed out by loss and time. The film leans into this more reflective side of the character, which gives it emotional weight, even if it slows the pace at times.
Drawn back into Birmingham, he must confront his out-of-control son, Duke, played by Barry Keoghan. Keoghan is a brilliant actor, bringing a volatile and unpredictable edge to the role. The father-son relationship is one of the film’s strongest elements, and their chemistry feels natural and believable helped by their shared Irish roots and previous work together on Dunkirk.
Alongside this, Tommy faces the rise of a shadowy Nazi movement led by Beckett (Tim Roth). While this adds scale and intrigue, the story can feel slightly overstuffed at times, trying to balance personal drama with wider political stakes.
Visually, the film retains everything fans love smoke-filled pubs, sharp suits and a brooding atmosphere but it doesn’t always expand into something that feels fully cinematic. At times, it plays more like an extended episode than a true big screen reinvention.
One of the standout elements is the music. The soundtrack is unbelievable and fits the tone perfectly. It’s the kind of score that stays with you afterwards and one I’ll definitely be adding to my playlist.
The supporting cast is strong throughout, with Stephen Graham delivering one of the most memorable performances in the film. He brings real presence to every scene he’s in and is a standout addition.
The film isn’t without its flaws. At times, the dialogue is frustratingly muted, with characters mumbling key lines, making it difficult to fully follow what’s being said. Stronger diction would have made some important moments land more effectively.
This is very much Murphy’s film. He anchors it with a performance full of menace, gravitas and vulnerability, and his role as producer helps keep the story grounded in what made the character so compelling in the first place.
It may not be perfect, but The Immortal Man is an enjoyable and fitting conclusion that brings Tommy Shelby’s story to a satisfying close. It doesn’t always reach the heights of the series at its best, but it delivers where it matters.
Don’t miss it.