Peaky Blinders Movie Review: 5 Brilliant Reasons to Watch The Immortal Man

This peaky blinders movie review covers everything you need to know about The Immortal Man, the long-awaited film continuation of the beloved BBC crime drama. After four years away from our screens, Tommy Shelby is back.

Cillian Murphy proves once again why he owns this role entirely. Released on Netflix in March 2026, The Immortal Man picks up six years after the events of the Season 6 finale.

Set against the backdrop of a war-torn Birmingham in 1940, the film asks whether Tommy Shelby can ever truly escape the violence that has defined his life. It is a question the series posed many times, but here it feels more urgent than ever.

Peaky Blinders Movie Review: The Immortal Man at a Glance

The Immortal Man is directed by Tom Harper, who previously helmed several episodes of the original series. Steven Knight returns as writer, ensuring the dialogue retains that sharp, menacing quality fans expect.

In this peaky blinders movie review, we should note that the film carries a 7.7 rating on IMDb and a 92% critics score on Rotten Tomatoes. The Metacritic score of 59 tells a slightly more mixed story.

The plot centres on Tommy living in a crumbling country manor, haunted by ghosts both literal and figurative. When news arrives that his illegitimate son Duke is now running the Peaky Blinders, Tommy is drawn back into the world he tried to leave behind.

For anyone wondering whether a film adaptation of a TV series can work, this one largely succeeds. It stands on its own terms while rewarding loyal viewers with meaningful callbacks.

Cillian Murphy Delivers a Career-Best Tommy Shelby

Every peaky blinders movie review must acknowledge what Murphy brings to this role. Fresh off his Oscar win for Oppenheimer, he returns to Tommy Shelby with a depth and weariness that feels earned.

Murphy’s performance here is quieter than what we saw in the series. Tommy is older, more reflective, and visibly carrying the weight of every decision he has ever made.

The physical transformation is striking too. Murphy appears gaunt and weathered, perfectly conveying a man who has been at war with himself long before the Luftwaffe arrived over Birmingham.

There are moments in this film where Murphy communicates more with a single look than most actors manage with a full monologue. It is the kind of performance that reminds you why this peaky blinders movie review exists in the first place.

Wartime Birmingham Brings a Fresh Setting

Moving the story to 1940 was a smart decision by Steven Knight. The Second World War gives the film genuine stakes that go beyond the usual gangland power struggles.

Birmingham under the Blitz looks stunning on screen, with cinematographer George Steel capturing both the destruction and the defiant spirit of the city. The bombing sequences are visceral without being gratuitous.

This wartime setting also allows the peaky blinders movie review to note how the film explores themes of duty and sacrifice. Tommy’s complicated relationship with his country adds emotional layers that the series only occasionally touched upon.

The production design deserves special praise. Every set piece, from the bombed-out factories to Tommy’s decaying estate, tells its own story about a world falling apart.

The Supporting Cast Holds Its Own

Barry Keoghan as Duke Shelby is the standout addition to the cast. He brings a raw vulnerability mixed with resentful determination that makes his scenes with Murphy genuinely electric.

Sophie Rundle returns as Ada, and her role has expanded significantly. She serves as the emotional anchor who pulls Tommy back into family life, and Rundle plays it with real conviction.

If you enjoy ensemble dramas with strong performances, you might also appreciate our Euphoria Season 3 review. Our look at what to expect from The Boys Season 5 is also worth a read.

The only weak point in the cast is the underuse of several returning characters. Some fan favourites appear for little more than a cameo, which may disappoint viewers hoping for a full reunion.

Peaky Blinders Movie Review: Our Final Verdict

This peaky blinders movie review comes down firmly on the positive side. The Immortal Man is not a perfect film, but it is a worthy and often brilliant conclusion to Tommy Shelby’s story.

The pacing occasionally stumbles in the second act, where the plot tries to balance too many threads at once. A tighter edit might have sharpened the emotional impact of certain scenes.

However, when the film works it delivers the kind of gripping, atmospheric storytelling that made Peaky Blinders essential viewing. Murphy’s performance alone makes it worth your time.

As the BBC reported, the film broke Netflix viewing records in its opening weekend across the UK and Ireland. That reception speaks to just how much audiences wanted this story told.

Our peaky blinders movie review score: 8 out of 10. A fitting farewell to one of British television’s most iconic characters, elevated by a towering central performance from Cillian Murphy.

Whether you are a die-hard Peaky Blinders fan or coming to the story fresh, The Immortal Man offers enough emotional depth and brilliant acting to justify its existence. Tommy Shelby deserved a proper send-off, and this peaky blinders movie review confirms he got one.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the peaky blinders movie review consensus mostly positive?

Yes, the critical consensus is largely positive. The film holds a 92% score on Rotten Tomatoes and a 7.7 on IMDb, though Metacritic ratings are more mixed at 59 out of 100.

Do I need to watch the series before seeing the Peaky Blinders movie?

While the film works as a standalone story, watching the series first will deepen your appreciation of the characters. The movie picks up six years after the Season 6 finale.

Where can I stream The Immortal Man in the UK?

The Immortal Man is available exclusively on Netflix in the UK. It was released in March 2026 and is included with a standard Netflix subscription.

Will there be another peaky blinders movie after this one?

Steven Knight has hinted at the possibility of further stories set in the Peaky Blinders universe. However, The Immortal Man was designed as a definitive conclusion to Tommy Shelby’s personal story.