Cillian Murphy returned as Tommy Shelby in Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man, which arrived on Netflix on March 20, 2026. The film, which had a limited theatrical release starting March 6, was marketed as the conclusion to the Shelby family story that ran for six seasons on BBC. Critics have praised the movie, with Rotten Tomatoes scores sitting above 90 percent. But within hours of its streaming release, a very different reaction flooded social media.
Longtime fans who followed the Shelby family for over a decade are calling the ending rushed, poorly written, and missing the soul of the original show. Many believe the story would have worked better as a full season rather than a two-hour film.
Rushed Pacing Leaves Emotional Moments With No Time to Land
The most common complaint from viewers is simple: the story feels squeezed. The film runs just under two hours, and many fans believe it tries to cover too much ground too quickly. What the original series built across seasons now feels compressed into a single sitting.
One viewer on X wrote, “It felt rushed to the point where you do not even have time to process what just happened.” Another user summed up the disappointment by saying, “The new peaky blinders movie was proper mid compared to the show.”
The frustration runs so deep that some fans say they will ignore the film entirely. A post on X stated, “Think ill stick to the series ending of peaky blinders disappointing.”
Fans Question Writing Choices and Tommy Shelby’s Character
Beyond the pacing, viewers are frustrated with the writing. The original series, created by Steven Knight, built its reputation on layered plots and sharp dialogue. In the film, many fans feel that depth is missing. Plot turns are described as predictable or forced, as if they exist only to wrap things up quickly.
There is also debate around Tommy Shelby himself. Certain decisions in the film do not sit well with longtime viewers who followed his journey from the beginning. One user on X expressed a common sentiment: “The script feels moronic compared to the series. This is not the Tommy we watched for years.”
A Reddit user wrote, “It looks great and the acting is strong, but the storytelling choices weaken the characters. This should have been a full season.”
Arthur Shelby’s Reduced Role Hurts the Emotional Core
Another major point of frustration is the handling of Arthur Shelby, played by Paul Anderson. Fans quickly noticed that Arthur is not part of the film in a meaningful way. For many, this absence damages the emotional core of the story. The brotherly bond that defined so much of the show feels sidelined.
In interviews, Knight explained the difficult decision, confirming that Arthur dies by Tommy’s hand. Knight said, “That’s the absolute point of that event… it’s something that he cannot forgive himself for, because it goes against everything he’s ever stood for.”
One viewer on X questioned the choice, posting, “(peaky blinders spoilers) i need to know everyone’s thoughts on how they wrote off arthur.”
Style Over Substance: Mixed Reactions to Visual Approach
Visually, the film has been widely praised. The wartime setting adds scale, and the cinematography meets high expectations. But some fans believe the film focuses too much on style at the expense of storytelling. There is a sense that it leans into nostalgia and big moments without building a strong narrative.
One viewer on X said, “It feels like a greatest hits version of Peaky Blinders, but without the soul.” Tom Harper, who directed the film and also directed episodes in Season 1, noted the difference in approach. He said a film is “more singular” and “more cinematic,” with a tighter focus on Tommy.
Not Everyone Hates It: Praise for Cillian Murphy’s Performance
The response is not entirely negative. Many viewers still praise Cillian Murphy’s performance, calling it the strongest part of the film. His portrayal of Tommy Shelby remains compelling even when the story around him falters.
Some also appreciate the darker wartime tone and the attempt to give the story a final chapter. A viewer on X shared, “Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man was damn near perfect bubbas.” Another noted a specific moment of excitement, saying, “Thomas Shelby, at the 46 min, 16 seconds of the Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man movie, brought back a little excitement I used to get while watching the series.”
The Growing Divide Between Critics and Fans
The reaction to The Immortal Man shows a clear split. Critics see a well-made film with strong acting and visual appeal. The critical consensus on Rotten Tomatoes reads: “Capping off Tommy Shelby’s story with grit and swagger, The Immortal Man is a satisfying conclusion to Peaky Blinders that also stands tall on its own self-contained terms.”
But fans, especially those who followed the series for years, expected something deeper. For them, the film feels like a shortened version of a much bigger story. One viewer captured the mixed feelings perfectly: “I very much enjoyed it but felt there were a few decisions that didn’t sit right with me and some that made Tommy feel out of character. Also didn’t feel like it was a big finale of a 6 season series which I knew would be hard to do in a single film.”
What Knight Said About the Film as a Stepping Stone
In a recent interview with Radio Times, Steven Knight revealed that The Immortal Man was envisioned as a bridge between the original series and what comes next.
“Yeah, I always thought this is a stepping stone. There’s a lot to come,” Knight said.
That next chapter is already confirmed. In October 2025, the BBC announced that a new Peaky Blinders series has been commissioned for two seasons. The show will follow a new generation of Shelbys in 1950s Birmingham. The official synopsis states: “Britain, 1953. After being heavily bombed in WWII, Birmingham is building a better future out of concrete and steel. In a new era of Steven Knight’s Peaky Blinders, the race to own Birmingham’s massive reconstruction project becomes a brutal contest of mythical dimensions.”
Knight is set to write the series, with Murphy serving as an executive producer. The show will feature six episodes per season, giving fans 12 new installments. Knight confirmed on the red carpet at the Birmingham premiere that shooting will begin soon.
How Tommy Shelby’s Story Ends in the Film
For those who have watched, the film concludes Tommy Shelby’s journey in a definitive way. After his son Duke (played by Barry Keoghan) gets tangled in a Nazi conspiracy during World War II, Tommy comes out of retirement to help. In the final act, Tommy faces off against John Beckett, a fascist sympathizer played by Tim Roth. After being shot multiple times, Tommy orders Duke to finish him off, choosing to die on his own terms.
The film ends with Tommy’s funeral pyre burning in the distance, closing the chapter on the character who survived the tunnels of France, the streets of Small Heath, and decades of violence.
Knight said on the red carpet at the Birmingham premiere: “There’s a lot of people end the thing in tears, which is great because that’s what we wanted. So, yeah, I think it’s a very powerful piece, and I’m really proud of it.”
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What’s Streaming Now
Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man is now streaming on Netflix in the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, India, and other global markets. The film runs 1 hour and 54 minutes and is available with audio in 22 languages, including Hindi, Tamil, and Telugu. A companion podcast with six episodes is also available on Netflix.
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