Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man review — new Netflix movie manages to destroy the best British TV show of the 2010s in less than two hours

Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man – A Disappointing End to a British TV Icon

When Peaky Blinders wrapped up its sixth and final season in 2022, fans were left with a bittersweet farewell to Tommy Shelby (Cillian Murphy) and his notorious gang. The show had delivered six seasons of gritty storytelling, stylish direction, and unforgettable characters, cementing its place as one of the best British TV shows of the 2010s. However, Netflix’s new movie, Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man, has managed to tarnish that legacy in less than two hours.

The film picks up in 1940, with Tommy’s now-grown son Duke (Barry Keoghan) entangled in a plot to sabotage the Second World War. Duke is helping the Nazis distribute counterfeit money, making him a fortune of £70 million in the process. Meanwhile, Tommy is grappling with his own demons, unsure of whether to return to Birmingham and confront the chaos unfolding around him.

A Bleak and Depressing Narrative

The biggest issue with The Immortal Man is its overwhelmingly bleak tone. The first half of the movie struggles to find its footing, with Tommy dithering over whether to get involved in the unfolding drama. The second half takes a sharp turn into tragedy, leaving viewers with a sense of despair rather than the explosive energy that defined the original series.

If you were hoping for the same mix of punchy fight scenes, sharp humor, and Tommy at his most ruthless, you’ll be sorely disappointed. Instead, The Immortal Man feels like a funeral for the show we once loved, paving the way for an uninspiring sequel series that lacks the heart and soul of its predecessor.

A Mismatched Cast and Tone

One of the most jarring aspects of the film is Barry Keoghan’s portrayal of Duke. Despite his undeniable talent, Keoghan’s modern appearance—complete with a trendy fade haircut and an abundance of tattoos—completely breaks the immersion of the 1940s setting. This “iPhone haircut” effect is a stark reminder of how difficult it is to believe Keoghan as a character from a bygone era, especially after his recent roles in Saltburn, Eternals, and Masters of the Air.

The rest of the cast fares no better. While there are touching tributes to Helen McCrory’s character Polly Gray, the film largely focuses on new or secondary characters who fail to capture the audience’s interest. By the end of the movie, the original crew has all but dissipated, leaving viewers with a sense of detachment from the story.

A Missed Opportunity

The Immortal Man had the potential to be a fitting conclusion to the Peaky Blinders saga, but it falls short on almost every level. The storyline is disjointed, the tone is relentlessly depressing, and the characters fail to resonate with the audience. Instead of delivering the explosive comeback fans were hoping for, the film leaves us with a sense of disappointment and a lingering question: why did this have to be the end?

Final Verdict

If you’re a die-hard Peaky Blinders fan, you might feel compelled to watch The Immortal Man out of loyalty to the series. However, I would advise against it. The movie fails to capture the essence of what made the show so beloved, and its bleak narrative and mismatched cast make it a difficult watch. Instead, revisit the original six seasons and cherish the legacy of Peaky Blinders as it was meant to be remembered.

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