The Immortal Man crumbles under the weight of its own crown

I must admit I was not entirely convinced that 'Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man' needed to exist. After six seasons of Peaky Blinders, Tommy Shelby's story had already reached what felt like a fitting and mysterious ending. There was no actual actual need for continuation.

So, bringing him back for a feature-length epilogue felt like it could be a potential attempt at draining out their cash cow for one more showdown.

Directed by Tom Harper and created by Steven Knight, Peaky Blinders was originally a six-season grand show that blended historical grit with captivating storytelling. Set in early 20th-century Birmingham and inspired by real-life gangs, the series followed the rise of the Shelby family from small-time bookmakers to a sprawling criminal empire. 

At the heart of it all was Cillian Murphy as Tommy Shelby, a war veteran turned gang leader whose menacing behaviour, layered with a slowly growing torment underneath, is what brought millions of people to watch and love the show.

The film picks up years after the series finale, placing Tommy in isolation as the Second World War rages on. Haunted by the ghosts of his past and trying to have no contact with the outside world, he is pulled back into Birmingham when his estranged son, Duke, played by Barry Keoghan, takes control of the Peaky Blinders. Duke, in the absence of his father, becomes entangled in a Nazi-backed counterfeit scheme that threatens both the country and the fragile remnants of the Shelby legacy in the peak of Nazi control.

This film, in many ways, revolves itself around the very elements that made the show feel so gripping and alive. There is no shortage of violence, no shortage of slow-burning standoffs, and certainly no shortage of their classic style. It leans heavily into its gorgeous cinematography, presenting a Birmingham ravaged by the Blitz with unparalleled intensity as mud, smoke, and gunfire dominate the screen. 

Certain sequences, particularly those set against the chaos of wartime Birmingham, manage to capture a sense of scale and intensity that justifies the move to the big screen. These moments remind you why this world has remained so compelling for over a decade.

Performance-wise, the film belongs entirely to the mindblowing Murphy. His portrayal of Tommy has evolved from controlled dominance to quiet exhaustion, and here, that fatigue is palpable. This is a man who has lived too long with his own decisions, and Murphy conveys that burden with remarkable restraint. But, even if his character is visibly more weary and tired, he still brings a quiet strength to his portrayal that always keeps you on your toes for what the Great Thomas Shelby might just do at any moment.

Keoghan, on the other hand, brings a volatile energy to Duke. His performance captures the insecurity and anger of a character trying to step out of his father's shadow, even if it means making the same mistakes. Their dynamic becomes the emotional backbone of the film, particularly in moments where confrontation gives way to something more vulnerable.

However, the film is not without its flaws. By placing Tommy against the Nazis, the story becomes very black and white where there doesn't seem to be any real conflict of interest. There is a clear enemy, a clear objective, and while that makes for a very easy watch, the point A to B structure eliminates a lot of the sophistication previous seasons had in their themes and writing.

And with that, the pacing starts to crumble a lot. The first half is mostly just repeatedly building that without Thomas Shelby, everything is doomed. While the second half does pick up the pace to be more like a conventional crime-thriller, the action sequences are entertaining, but without the layered storytelling, it often can feel like the film is just a poor attempt at reimitating the feel of a show that ended only four years ago.

The historical backdrop of the Second World War adds another layer to the narrative, though it is not always fully explored. The Blitz, the Nazis, the rise of fascism, and the threat of economic sabotage all give the feel of a real threat looming, but the film often uses these elements more as a stage than as subjects in their own right. 

There is also a clear sense of continuation. Through Duke, the film hints at the possibility of the Shelby legacy carrying on, for better or worse. It raises the question of whether anything has truly changed, or if history is simply destined to repeat itself.

Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man ultimately is less about telling a new story and more about reflecting on an old one. It may not reinvent the series or reach the heights of its best moments, but it does offer an acceptable farewell to the series for now. It tries to recreate what made the show so compelling while acknowledging the weight of everything that came before.

And while it may not have been necessary, it is still difficult to look away when Tommy Shelby walks back into the room.