By Order Of
First and foremost, a genuine thank you.
Big up to the visionaries, the writers, the creators, the artists, and everyone involved in building Peaky Blinders. Considering what the series was up against trying to land the plane, wrapping up a long-running television story in a film format, actors passing away, scheduling conflicts, time itself moving forward, the finale we were given felt satisfying.
I walked out of the theatre full.
Not just entertained. Full.
And honestly, aside from a few extremely minor critiques, couldn’t have asked for a better send-off to a piece of art I deeply appreciate. And if you’ve been burned by finales before, you know that’s saying something. Time and time again, I’ve watched shows I absolutely sweated completely fumble the ending. Legendary series like Game of Thrones, The Last Kingdom, and Top Boy all left me feeling like something was missing, wanting more, or wishing things had been handled differently.
So I’ll admit it, I was hella nervous.
It would have genuinely hurt if Peaky met the same fate It may sound corny, but Peaky Blinders means something to your boy.
Shows, like music, like other milestones in life, come to you at specific moments. The point in life when you encounter a piece of art matters. It shapes how you interpret it and sometimes even how you move forward. The version of you that discovers it matters. That moment in your life becomes attached to the art forever.
I recently saw an interview where Cillian Murphy spoke about how he grew alongside Tommy Shelby while playing him over the years. And truth is, the audience grew with him too. I was a different person when the series started. And I’m a different person now. Which is why it’s rare, in any craft, and honestly in life, to start something strong and actually stick the landing years later. From a “stomach full” perspective?
Peaky delivered.
The Look, The Feel, The Soul
The first thing that stood out was that the film didn’t lose the Peaky DNA.
The tone.
The texture.
That gritty, working class energy. The feeling of people who truly came from the mud and clawed their way up through the concrete streets of Birmingham. That underdog mentality. That lower class gentleman trying to climb a world that was never meant for him. Visually, the cinematography remains captivating as ever. Those quiet reflective moments where light bounces off Tommy while he sits in contemplation. The solemn quiet when he’s smoking in silence, standing somewhere on his property, riding a horse down the lane.
Chef’s kiss.
And then of course…
The moment he dons the hat.
The long coat.
The suit.
If you know, you know.
A Story That Stayed Grounded
Given the circumstances of ending such a beloved series through a film, I felt that the writers handled things remarkably well. The narrative remained grounded, but still felt fulfilling. The moments of character reflection were genuinely moving. The story managed to come full circle in subtle ways. One example that stood out was Tommy being trapped in the tunnel near the end, still fighting the same demons that have haunted him throughout the series.
What makes Peaky Blinders special is that it was never just about gangsters.
Tommy Shelby is, in many ways, a good kid who was fundamentally altered by war. Like countless working-class soldiers forced to fight in conflicts orchestrated by the wealthy and powerful, he returned home carrying trauma. This is as much a story about a veteran battling PTSD as it is about a Birmingham crime boss. That’s the nuance I love about the show. It isn’t just about “wise guys.”
It’s about:
coping with trauma
learning how to love yourself
trying to love the people around you correctly
navigating family loyalty and moral lines
balancing business, leadership, and responsibility
surviving in a brutal political landscape
Great art has layers.
Peaky Blinders has always had them.
Honoring the Past
I also appreciated how the story honored characters who are no longer present. There were subtle reminders that Polly is still guiding Tommy in spirit, especially in the way he handled potential betrayal from his son. Those moments felt respectful and emotionally honest. Those moments felt emotional without feeling forced. A quiet way to acknowledge the legacy of Helen McCrory, whose presence helped shape the soul of the series.
New Faces That Delivered
I’ll be honest, I wasn’t sure how I’d feel about some of the new additions. I was thoroughly impressed by Barry Keoghan. It’s always risky when a series introduces a different actor for a previously established character. Given how recognizable he is, I wasn’t sure how it would work. Keoghan brought a natural humility to the role of Tommy’s son. It genuinely felt like the same character, just grown up. There was no noticeable drop-off in authenticity. Keoghan is on his way to becoming a true master craftsman. The same goes for Rebecca Ferguson, who played the mysterious gypsy. She managed to fill, even if only partially, the emotional space left behind by the late Helen McCrory. Her character served as both confidant and emotional anchor, tying Tommy back to his gypsy roots and reminding us of where he came from. I had reservations about both castings because of their popularity, but both additions exceeded my expectations.
Cillian Murphy Is Tommy Shelby
And then there’s Cillian Murphy. As always, Tommy Shelby remains the sharpest man in the room. Cillian delivers a reflective, deeply moving performance. The man truly taps into something different when he plays this character. He doesn’t just act.
He transforms.
At a certain point, the line between actor and character disappears. The aura he brings to Tommy Shelby is nearly impossible to replicate. It’s one of those rare performances where you genuinely believe no one else could’ve played that role.
A once-in-a-generation character.
The Score — My Favorite Part
Now we get to my favorite element of film.
The score.
And as expected, it delivered. Multiple times during the movie I had the urge to pull out my phone and Shazam whatever song was playing. Film scoring is often overlooked, but it’s one of the most vital ingredients in storytelling. When a powerful score meets beautiful cinematography, it creates something magical.
Like needle and thread
Like lock and key
The second I got home, already knew my next rabbit hole would be a deep dive into the soundtrack.
One Last Goodbye
So once again, a genuine thank you. Not every story lands the ending. Not every show gets to close the book in a satisfying way. Walking out of the theatre, I didn’t feel disappointed.
I felt grateful.
An emotional goodbye to one of my favorite series of all time.
By Order of the Peaky Blinders.