Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man continues the Shelby family saga in a stunning gangster epic that will leave die-hard fans of the Netflix series and newbies alike absolutely mesmerized. Creator Steven Knight scripts a gripping narrative that addresses many unresolved issues while incorporating a new plot thread with shattering ramifications. There are whopper reveals galore, so we’ll tread carefully on details and focus on the film’s incredible performances, superb cinematography, and devastating emotional themes. Expectations were high for the big screen adaptation. It’s a pleasure to report they have been met and exceeded.
In November 1940, Britain is under siege from Nazi Germany’s ferocious aerial bombardment. Birmingham lies in ruins from the indiscriminate slaughter. But there’s another insidious threat brewing which could be just as effective. Beckett (Tim Roth), an English Nazi collaborator and devout fascist, leaves a concentration camp with suitcases of a new weapon in the war effort. His ruthless plan requires boots on the ground, and he’s already targeted a potential asset to the cause.
Meanwhile, a haunted and broken Tommy Shelby (Cillian Murphy) has abandoned everything and everyone from his past life. Tragedy and grief has taken its toll. He’s a recluse unfazed by bombs exploding in the distance and fires lighting the night sky; nothing matters anymore. Tommy’s a hollow shell overcome by the magnitude of his many losses, but his self-imposed exile is interrupted by a surprising visitor with a connection established long ago. A Romani queen (Rebecca Ferguson) has sensed Tommy’s suffering and heard the voices that speak to him. He cannot escape his duties as a leader and most importantly, as a father. Tommy handed control of the Peaky Blinders to his Romani son, but the wayward Duke (Barry Keoghan) has become someone he could never have imagined. The apple has fallen from the tree and may be rotten to its core.
No offense to Conrad Khan, who portrayed Duke in the show’s final season, but Keoghan is one of the best actors of his generation, and he’s in top form here. A wild card seemingly untethered from his Shelby heritage, Duke is now in charge of the Peaky Blinders and doesn’t give a hoot about previous loyalties or established boundaries. He’s ambitious and wants to prove his mettle. Dare to stand in his way and pay an awful price. But there’s more to Tommy than his brutish behavior and cold-blooded lethality: He lives in the shadow of a revered and respected man who dominates his psyche. Every comparison pricks a nerve and leads to a contentious duality.
Knight teases the audience with this searing dilemma. Is Duke a lost cause? Can Tommy have a relationship with a son he essentially abandoned to his own vices? And even if he tries, does Duke see his father as someone to embody or destroy? How can he achieve his own legacy if Tommy looms like a monolith over his future? The ties that bind also cut deep. An estranged father and son find themselves at the heart of a conflict with greater stakes than either has faced. Their choices reverberate with deadly consequences. Murphy, still shining from his Oscar win, and Keoghan are riveting together.
Knight and director Tom Harper, known for the BBC’s War & Peace and The Aeronauts, expand on familiar series elements while brilliantly expanding the production design. Again, no spoilers, but certain references, symbols, music, and scenes will have those in the know cheering out loud. The deeper meaning might be lost on the casual viewer, and that’s fine. The artistry in these moments can be appreciated without having watched every episode of the series. Knight and Harper skillfully serve each master by not subtracting with new additions. This is rarely done well, so the filmmakers deserve serious credit for being balanced in their approach.
Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man has exceptional cinematography. George Steel, who previously worked on the show and with Harper, could teach a masterclass in film school. The primary settings have always been bleak, grainy, and foreboding, but Birmingham, decimated by relentless Nazi attacks, looks dramatically changed. World War II is omnipresent with dust, rubble, and muck. Steele’s use of darkness and light in completely different environments is award-worthy. This is especially impressive in a spectacular climax that will kick your butt and break a foot doing it. The film’s blockbuster finale is a technical triumph that’s instrumental in delivering its gut-wrenching resolve. Powerful is an understatement.
The last hurrah belongs to Roth. Peaky Blinders has had fantastic villains played by Hollywood’s finest. But Beckett, in less than two hours of screen time, arguably challenges as most vile antagonist. His devil-on-your-shoulder demeanor, unscrupulous manipulation, and callous cruelty will make your skin crawl. He’s a perfect foil for Tommy to face at this pivotal juncture.
Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man is a production of Garrison Drama, Nebulastar, and BBC Film. It is currently in limited theatrical release with a Netflix streaming premiere on March 20th.
- Release Date
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March 6, 2026
- Runtime
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112 Minutes
- Director
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Tom Harper
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