Peaky Blinders Immortal Man Review: A Fitting Yet Flawed Ending

Arguably one of the most iconic British series of the past decade, Peaky Blinders ran for six strong seasons (2013–2022) before choosing to round things off on the big screen. After 36 episodes of wrestling with doing the right things for the wrong reasons—and the wrong things for the right reasons—while fighting to keep the Romani crown and losing loved ones along the way, Immortal Man feels like it should be the deserved end for Thomas Shelby… or is it?

Starring Cillian Murphy, Barry Keoghan, Sophie Rundle, Tim Roth, and Rebecca Ferguson, the film is written by Steven Knight and directed by Tom Harper. It was released in select cinemas on March 6, 2026, and globally on Netflix on March 20, 2026.

Premise

The year is 1940. World War II is in full effect, and Britain is under heavy bombardment from Germany. But Nazi Germany has more in store—they’ve printed £350 million in counterfeit money and plan to flood the British economy through an agent, John Beckett, causing inflation and destabilising the country from within.

To make this work, they need an inside man, and that’s where Thomas Shelby’s illegitimate son, Erasmus “Duke” Shelby, comes in. Duke now runs the Peaky Blinders in his father’s absence, doing things his own way.

Meanwhile, Thomas Shelby lives far from the chaos, in isolation with Johnny Dogs. He is haunted by the ghosts of his past, especially the loss of his family and, most recently, his brother Arthur, who supposedly died by suicide. Now, Tommy spends his days writing his memoir, choosing to stay away from his son’s affairs, even when his sister Ada—now an MP—urges him to return.

Everything changes when Kaulo Chiriklo, the twin sister of Duke’s late mother, finds him. With her Gypsy gift of premonition, much like Polly once had, she convinces Tommy to go back to Birmingham and help his son, who is obviously on a dangerous path.

When he returns, he finds his son already entangled with the Nazis, possibly trying to prove he can be greater than his father. It mirrors the same internal conflict Tommy once had. Now, father and son must work together to stop a Nazi plot and, in the process, usher in a new generation of the Peaky Blinders.

Cast and Performances

Over six seasons, Peaky Blinders lost several characters, some due to real-life circumstances, others by creative choice. Many of those exits felt abrupt and changed the story’s dynamic. The same feeling carries into this film, though I see it more as a closing arc for Thomas Shelby.

Cillian Murphy returns as Tommy and still commands the screen with ease. He carries the weight of a man filled with loss, regret, and conflict, searching for some peace. He looks older here, and it fits. The toll of everything he has been through shows. There are moments where he feels like the old Tommy again, calculated, always thinking ahead, and when his arc finally closes, it hits emotionally.

Sophie Rundle also returns as Ada Thorne, bringing a sense of balance and much-needed nostalgia. Familiar faces like Stephen Graham, Ned Dennehy, Packy Lee, and Ian Peck help ground the story.

New additions include Barry Keoghan as Duke, Rebecca Ferguson as Kaulo Chiriklo, and Tim Roth as the Nazi agent John Beckett.

For long-time fans, the absence of some key characters may reduce the impact. But for new viewers, it still works well enough as a standalone story.

Highlights

One thing Peaky Blinders has always done well is blend real history with fiction, mixing politics such as fascism, socialism, and communism with organised crime. This film continues that tradition. Season six ended with the rise of fascism, and this movie picks up during its consequence, World War II.

There’s also an interesting layer here: Thomas Shelby’s isolation feels dishonest. His failure to stop the rise of fascism earlier may have contributed to the war itself. That idea adds depth to his character and makes his return feel necessary.

The use of counterfeit money as a plot point is another strong touch; it was a real event in history and fits seamlessly into the story.

Peaky Blinders Immortal Man_Thomas Shelby

Visually, the film delivers. The cinematography stands out, along with memorable scenes like Tommy planting a grenade on someone in a pub, fighting his son in pig mud, and riding through the streets like a messiah. The music score remains just as strong as ever.

Drawbacks

Immortal Man carried high expectations, especially as a movie meant to conclude Thomas Shelby’s story. While it does achieve that, it doesn’t fully explore the wider world that the series has built.

There are still unanswered questions: What happened to Mosley? Gina? Finn? Even the explanation around Arthur’s supposed suicide doesn’t quite hold up. It feels like the film chose to focus only on Tommy at the expense of everything else.

Some of these choices are understandable. Covering all those storylines would have made the film too long or too expensive. There were also real-life issues that affected casting. Still, for someone like me who rewatched all six seasons before this, it doesn’t fully capture the depth and richness the series was known for.

Honestly, it feels like it could have worked better as a standalone spin-off rather than a full conclusion.

Final Thoughts

Peaky Blinders: Immortal Man set out to end Thomas Shelby’s story, and in many ways, it does. But the heavy focus on him comes at a cost. It sidelines other characters and takes away some of what made the Peaky Blinders story feel whole.

It’s still an enjoyable thriller, no doubt. But it feels a bit rushed, like it was trying to tie everything up too quickly. For fans like me, it leaves a mixed feeling. We got an ending, yes, but not quite the one that fully does justice to everything that came before.

Rating

3/5

Our Rating

If you haven’t watched the series, watch it! By order of the Peaky Blinders!

Author

Alexander Azonobo
Alex is a writer with an undeniable passion for movies and the stories they tell. He loves diving into the world of cinema—exploring its themes, characters, and the artistry that brings it all to life. With an eye for detail and a love for storytelling, he writes to share his thoughts and spark conversations about the films that move, challenge, and inspire us.