Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man review: Film based on TV series is a worthy continuation, not a reinvention

If you were a fan of the original Peaky Blinders series, then the film Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man was never going to be a casual watch. It was always going to be an event. And fair to say, it leans right into that expectation. Cillian Murphy returns as Tommy Shelby, and if anything, he’s even more dialled in than he was in the series. This is a man who has carried that character through six seasons and now a feature film, and it shows. Murphy, who most recently reminded everyone what he can do in Oppenheimer, brings that same intensity here. Quiet, controlled, and always feeling like he’s three moves ahead of everyone else in the room. Around him, the familiar faces help ground the film in what made the series so strong. Paul Anderson is back as Arthur Shelby, still unpredictable, still one bad decision away from chaos. Anderson has built a career on these volatile roles, and you can see shades of his work in The Revenant in the way he plays Arthur on the edge. Sophie Rundle returns as Ada, one of the few characters who can match Tommy in a conversation, and arguably the moral compass of the story. Rundle has quietly been one of the most consistent performers since the early seasons, and that carries through here. And then there is Tom Hardy, reprising Alfie Solomons. Hardy, known for everything from Mad Max: Fury Road to The Dark Knight Rises, does what he always does in this role. He steals scenes without looking like he’s trying to. What the film does well is stick to its roots. The original series built its reputation on style, tension and that slow-burn storytelling. None of that has been thrown out in favour of big Hollywood moments. If anything, this feels like a longer episode with a bigger budget and a bit more room to breathe. The cinematography is still all shadows and smoke. The soundtrack still leans into that modern edge against a historical backdrop. And Birmingham still feels like a character in its own right. Where it might divide people is pacing. This is not a crash bang action film. It takes its time, just like the series always did. If you came in expecting a full throttle gangster spectacle, you might find yourself checking your watch. But if you’ve followed the Shelbys from the beginning, you’ll appreciate the way it lets moments sit and conversations unfold. Story-wise, it feels like a continuation rather than a reinvention. There is no attempt to reset the world or make it more accessible for newcomers. This was made for people who have already spent years with these characters, and it shows. In many ways, that is its biggest strength. It respects the audience that got it here in the first place. Overall, it is not trying to be bigger than Peaky Blinders. It is trying to finish what it started. And more often than not, it succeeds. If you’ve walked with Tommy Shelby this far, you’ll want to see how it plays out. Just don’t expect him to suddenly change his ways. That was never really the point. Four out of five. Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man is streaming now on Netflix.