Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man
Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man (2026) is an upcoming British crime drama film, serving as a feature-length continuation of the acclaimed Peaky Blinders television series. Set in Birmingham in 1940 amidst the chaos of World War II, the narrative sees Tommy Shelby, portrayed by Cillian Murphy, return from a self-imposed exile. He is forced to confront his estranged, illegitimate son, Duke Shelby, who is depicted as running the Peaky Blinders gang with a reckless brutality reminiscent of their early days. The film is described as an explosive and intense chapter, promising high stakes for the Shelby family and the country as Tommy grapples with his legacy and a rising fascist threat. Directed by Tom Harper and written by series creator Steven Knight, the movie aims to provide a definitive conclusion to Tommy Shelby's story, while also potentially setting up future spin-off series. It is expected to maintain the gritty realism, dramatic tension, and complex character dynamics that defined the television show. The film's themes are anticipated to include loyalty, betrayal, family conflict, the psychological toll of violence, and the moral ambiguities inherent in a life of crime set against a backdrop of global war. Given its heritage, it targets a mature audience accustomed to dark and adult storytelling.
Concerns
Violence
HighThe film is anticipated to contain a high level of intense, graphic, and bloody violence, consistent with the R-rating given for "violence/bloody images". The plot involves Tommy Shelby returning to a "violent and devastated Birmingham" to confront his son who is running the gang with "reckless brutality." The film is described as an "explosive chapter" with "no holds barred" and "full-on Peaky Blinders at war."
The trailer for 'The Immortal Man' hints at "explosive sequences and intense confrontations". The creator, Steven Knight, has explicitly stated the film will be "full-on Peaky Blinders at war," implying the characteristic brutal violence of the series. In the TV series, violence often included graphic depictions like a character having a bucket of boiling tar poured on his face, or prolonged shots emphasizing pain and suffering from shootings and stabbings. The movie is expected to continue this trend, with Tommy Shelby facing his "most destructive reckoning yet".
Romance and Sexual Content
HighThe movie carries an R-rating for "some drug use and nudity," indicating the presence of sexual content. Given its continuation from the 'Peaky Blinders' series, which featured explicit sexual content, including partial and full nudity, and themes of prostitution and sexual assault, it is highly probable that the film will maintain a similar level of mature romantic and sexual themes.
While specific scenes for 'The Immortal Man' are not yet detailed, the parental guidance for the 'Peaky Blinders' series notes "Explicit sexual content and n*dity" with "partial and even full n*dity in many scenes where characters are involved in physical intimacy." The series also depicted characters frequently visiting brothels and engaging in casual sex. More severely, the series included instances of implied sexual assault and a "disturbing r*pe attempt on Aunt Polly by Campbell", setting a precedent for potentially disturbing sexual themes within the franchise.
Profanity
HighThe film is rated R due to "language throughout", suggesting frequent and strong profanity. The 'Peaky Blinders' series is well-known for its extensive use of explicit language, with profanity being a pervasive element of character dialogue and overall tone. The movie is expected to uphold this characteristic, featuring a high frequency and intensity of swear words.
In the 'Peaky Blinders' TV series, a "casual episode... is peppered with swear and abusive words like f**k, s**t and c**t," to the extent that "Half of Tommy Shelby's vocabulary is made up of swear words." The trailer for 'The Immortal Man' includes Duke Shelby stating, "the world don't give a f**k about me," which confirms the continuation of strong language in the movie. This pervasive use of offensive language is a hallmark of the franchise and will likely be prominent throughout the film.
Substance Use
HighThe film is R-rated, with content descriptors including "some drug use". The 'Peaky Blinders' franchise is notable for its constant and overt depiction of substance abuse, including heavy drinking and smoking, as well as illicit drug use, which often plays a significant role in the characters' lives and plot development. This pattern is expected to continue in the movie.
The 'Peaky Blinders' TV series heavily features "alcohol and substance use. Opium and substance abuse are heavily featured in the show's narrative." Characters, including teenagers, are frequently shown consuming alcohol and using drugs. Tommy Shelby himself is almost consistently seen drinking whiskey and smoking cigarettes in nearly every scene, with reports indicating thousands of cigarettes were smoked over the series' run. The R-rating for "some drug use" in 'The Immortal Man' confirms this will remain a prominent element.
Scary & Intense Content
HighThe movie is expected to contain highly intense and potentially frightening content, stemming from its R-rating for "violence/bloody images" and its setting during World War II. The plot involves Tommy Shelby facing his "most destructive reckoning yet," with "espionage, violence, and betrayal". The trailer hints at a "dark, wartime glimpse" and "explosive sequences and intense confrontations."
The film's premise involves Tommy Shelby being drawn back into a world of conflict during World War II, confronting a "fascist threat". The return to a "violent and devastated Birmingham" where his son, Duke, is running the gang with "reckless brutality" sets a consistently tense and dangerous atmosphere. Scenes are described as featuring "explosive sequences and intense confrontations". The overall tone is expected to be dark and psychologically heavy, as Tommy grapples with his "own demons".
Disrespect & Rebellion
HighDisrespect and rebellion are core thematic elements of the 'Peaky Blinders' narrative, particularly as it revolves around a criminal gang operating outside the law and challenging established authority. The movie's plot, featuring Tommy Shelby confronting his son, Duke, who is depicted as running the Peaky Blinders with "reckless brutality" and potentially engaging in "treason", inherently involves significant acts of defiance and disregard for societal norms and figures of authority.
Duke Shelby is described as running the Peaky Blinders "like it's 1919 all over again", which refers to the gang's origins marked by extreme lawlessness and challenging the establishment. Tim Roth's character, a "British fascist sympathiser," attempts to influence Duke to "betray his own country to help Germany win the war", representing a profound act of rebellion and disrespect towards national loyalty. This generational conflict and challenge to authority are central to the film's premise and characters.
LGBTQ & Gender Identity
MediumWhile specific LGBTQ content for the movie 'Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man (2026)' has not been explicitly detailed in promotional materials or plot synopses, the broader 'Peaky Blinders' series, which this film continues, has included LGBTQ characters. The creators have also publicly denounced homophobic narratives, indicating an awareness and stance against such prejudice within the franchise's ethos. Therefore, parental guidance should be aware of potential, though unconfirmed, LGBTQ themes in line with the established universe.
In the 'Peaky Blinders' TV series, Ada Shelby's roommate, James, was revealed to be a gay man in Season 2. Initially, Tommy Shelby reacted with anger, mistaking James for Ada's new boyfriend, but upon learning of James's homosexuality, Tommy extended a kind welcome. However, in Season 5 of the series, Tommy Shelby also blackmailed a gay journalist using his illegal homosexuality for leverage, demonstrating a utilitarian and amoral approach to such matters rather than outright acceptance. Though no specific characters or plotlines for the 2026 movie have been announced, the franchise's history suggests a possibility of such themes arising.
Witchcraft & Occult
LowSpecific details regarding witchcraft or occult practices for 'Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man' are not explicitly mentioned in the available plot details or trailer descriptions. However, the 'Peaky Blinders' series occasionally incorporated elements of Romani mysticism and superstitious beliefs, particularly through characters like Polly Gray, which touched upon the supernatural realm without delving into explicit witchcraft or occult rituals.
There are no confirmed scenes of explicit magic rituals, demon summoning, or overt witchcraft in the available information for the movie. While the 'Peaky Blinders' series did feature elements like Polly Gray's spiritualism and fortune-telling, these were often presented more as cultural or superstitious beliefs rather than active occult practices leading to direct harm or central plot points. The film's synopsis focuses on war, family conflict, and political intrigue, not supernatural elements.
Anti-Christian Themes
LowNo explicit anti-Christian themes have been directly identified for 'Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man' in available information. The franchise generally portrays a gritty, amoral world focused on power, ambition, and survival within a criminal underworld, which often implicitly contrasts with Christian ethics. While not overtly critical or mocking of Christianity, the characters' actions and motivations frequently diverge from traditional religious morality.
There is no indication in the movie's synopsis or trailer of direct mockery, sacrilegious acts, or central plot elements promoting anti-Christian messages. The 'Peaky Blinders' series has depicted characters operating in a morally ambiguous space, driven by personal gain and survival. While religious figures or institutions may appear as background elements or points of contrast, they are not typically the subject of direct attack or criticism. The focus remains on the criminal underworld and political struggles of the era, rather than religious debates or anti-faith narratives.
Other Notes
Target Demographic
R (Restricted) - This recommendation is based on the official MPAA rating, which cites "violence/bloody images, language throughout, some drug use and nudity." Given the film is a continuation of the Peaky Blinders series, known for its intense and mature themes, it is strongly recommended for mature audiences aged 17 and above due to pervasive violence, explicit language, sexual content, and substance abuse.
Additional Notes
The film's runtime is confirmed at 112 minutes. As a direct continuation of the 'Peaky Blinders' series, parents should anticipate that the movie will maintain or even intensify the mature content found in the show, including strong thematic elements of crime, war, and moral decay.
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