‘Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man’ review: Tommy Shelby’s legacy is eternal

Tommy Shelby’s legacy will never die, nor will fans’ love for Peaky Blinders.

Steven Knight’s beloved series about the 20th-century Birmingham gangster (played by Cillian Murphy) came to an end in 2022 after six seasons of complex schemes, cold-blooded murders and more cunning enemies. However, Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man brings the series to an even more satisfying conclusion, honoring its iconic characters with a final ride bathed in the sounds of Fontaines DC, Mclusky and of course, Nick Cave.

Watch Murphy ride through town on a black horse one last time, like he did in the very first episode of Peaky Blindersthe film closes the series in an explosive, moving and respectful manner befitting one of television’s most dastardly criminal minds.

What is Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man about?

Cillian Murphy as Tommy Shelby, one last time.
Credit: Robert Viglasky/Netflix

The last episode of Peaky Blinders took place in 1934, and The immortal man jumps a few years into World War II, bringing us into the shocking, real-life Luftwaffe bombing of the Birmingham Small Arms Factory in 1940. (Knight told Mashable’s Mark Stetson that he “always wanted to finish that part of World War II.” woozy history with a World War II film.”) Knight and director Tom Harper put every last bit of their production team’s skills into this explosive opening sequence, with stunning tracking shots, deafening rock music and touching moments of human connection before everything is reduced to rubble – and it really sets the high-stakes tone for this finale.

The Nazis, aided by their British ally John Beckett (a frighteningly courageous Tim Roth), have plans to win the war by flooding the British economy with counterfeit money, with an offer of war profiteering on the table, for example, for local gang leaders in Birmingham. Who would take such a poisoned chalice? Only the legendary Tommy Shelby’s son, Erasmus “Duke” Shelby (a perfectly cast Barry Keoghan), whose chip on his shoulder runs deep.

Far from the front lines, Tommy now lives in solitude, haunted by grief, shame and the memory of his lost loved ones. His quiet, domestic life contrasts with the underworld shenanigans he once ruled, although Harper makes sure to include photos of dead birds and drops of blood to keep Tommy’s violent past close at hand. “I was a king,” he laments in exile. Removed from society, Tommy wanders his land and visits overgrown graves, speaking of cowardice and regret. How long can he remain a recluse, especially as his son’s actions move to a darker place than he ever dared?

Cillian Murphy and Barry Keoghan are a perfectly tight father/son duo

*extreme voice of Vin Diesel* family
Credit: Robert Viglasky/Netflix

Watching Murphy revisit his iconic role is an absolute treat, as Tommy struggles to reprise his legendary role. While classic Tommy moments Peaky Blinders There’s limited jaw-dropping evil mayhem in the film, the scenes we get are momentous – watching a young idiot disrespect Tommy in his own Garrison pub without knowing who he’s talking to doesn’t go down well. The immortal man really gives Murphy his last “cool guys, don’t look at the explosions” hurray as Tommy, with an hour and a half of extremely impressive acting walking through Birmingham and the Midlands to various Needle Falls.

Of course, Tommy is writing his memoirs – including every possible moment, including on a boat en route to a mission, which made me laugh – and Murphy seems to be bidding farewell to his own character with his performance, one of grieving, reflection and reluctant pride. Cinematographers George Steel and Ben Wilson frame the series’ hero in all his chiaroscuro glory, with Murphy evoking pure torment through his stoic protagonist.

Props to the casting team for Keoghan’s role as Duke, with the Salt burn actor reflecting Murphy’s cold unpredictability (and flat cap) as his son. Attempting to surpass his father’s legacy, Duke resorts to extreme measures, evil plans and brutality, despite the disappointment of his aunt, Ada Thorne (an excellent return from Sophie Rundle). Watching Murphy and Keoghan as father and son at loggerheads, even brawling in the mud surrounded by pigs, feels as raw, brutal and grounded in family as Peaky Blinders never was.

Can I watch The Immortal Son if I don’t look Peaky Blinders?

It’s Stagg (Stephen Graham)!
Credit: Robert Viglasky/Netflix

If you don’t look Peaky BlindersI should warn you that the movie contains major spoilers for what happens to several main characters, so if you’re thinking of starting the series, don’t start here.

However, if you don’t intend to watch Peaky Blinders in its entirety, there is enough context provided in the film’s dialogue to avoid any quick recaps necessary. The film also makes several reveals of beloved characters like Hayden Stagg (Stephen Graham) extremely obvious in their importance, so you’ll be able to follow along with old friends, lovers, and more. – even if one of them (Rebecca Ferguson) plays the surprise twin sister card to bring back a character.

Whether you’re a long-time fan or not, the legacy of Tommy Shelby and Peaky Blinders seems to transcend the episodes themselves, with The immortal man a worthy end. As Shelby himself said: “I will remember everything and I will forget nothing.”

Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man premieres on Netflix on March 20.