Can You Watch ‘The Immortal Man’ Without Seeing ‘Peaky Blinders’?

Often, when a popular TV series ends or continues as a major movie, the experience is really only for dedicated fans. For example, if another X-Files movie comes out, and you didn’t see the show’s final four seasons, you might be interested in what the characters are doing now, or worried you won’t understand everything because you missed so much of the story.

The recently released Peaky Blinders movie, The Immortal Man, concludes the current story arc of this popular crime drama. For over ten years, the show – a favorite on both Netflix and the BBC – has followed the Shelby family and their gang in 1920s and 30s England. If you’re new to Peaky Blinders, be aware that the movie picks up after six seasons, covering about fifteen years of story.

Even people who don’t usually watch movies on streaming might be interested in this one. Netflix is heavily promoting it, and that makes sense given the star power involved – it’s the newest film starring Cillian Murphy, an Academy Award winner, alongside other acclaimed actors like Tim Roth, Barry Keoghan, Rebecca Ferguson, and Stephen Graham. Plus, deciding whether to watch something at home on Netflix is different than going to the cinema. Seeing a potential new X-Files movie could cost $10 or more for a ticket, but trying Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man just takes a few clicks of your remote.

I recently saw the Peaky Blinders movie, and honestly, I hadn’t watched much of the original series at all. So, if you’re like me and new to this world, is the film worth checking out even without the show? Here’s my take on it.

What Is Peaky Blinders?

Looking at the promotional images, it’s easy to get the impression that Peaky Blinders is primarily a show about Cillian Murphy looking stylish and making dramatic entrances with his head lowered.

You’re right to notice that! The show’s style is a big part of what people enjoy about Peaky Blinders. However, it’s more than just a visually striking series. It’s a large-scale gangster story set in post-World War I England, and it follows Tommy Shelby, played by Cillian Murphy, as the ambitious head of the Peaky Blinders gang in Birmingham. Tommy leads the gang with help from his brother Arthur (Paul Anderson) and aunt Polly (Helen McCrory). Beyond being a crime drama, the show’s historical context lets it delve into themes like politics, law enforcement, and faith.

What is The Immortal Man?

Between 2013 and 2022, Netflix and the BBC aired six seasons of Peaky Blinders. Like many TV shows about gangsters, characters frequently died, but Cillian Murphy consistently played Tommy Shelby throughout the entire nine-year run. After the series ended, Murphy said he’d consider reprising the role if a suitable project came along. Shortly after the final season aired, Murphy won the Academy Award for Best Actor.

Rather than continue the Peaky Blinders TV show with a seventh season, its creator, Steven Knight, has made a movie called Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man. Tom Harper, who previously directed the last three episodes of the first Peaky Blinders season, directed the film.

Tommy Murphy is back in The Immortal Man, alongside familiar faces from Peaky Blinders. However, the movie primarily features new actors like Barry Keoghan, Rebecca Ferguson, and Tim Roth. (The film explains what the title means, but I won’t reveal how or who explains it.)

Set in 1940, a few years after the events of Peaky Blinders Season 6, The Immortal Man finds Tommy and the Peaky Blinders pulled into World War II. This happens after a German bombing attack on Birmingham and a plot by a Nazi supporter (played by Roth) to ruin Britain’s economy using fake money.

What Do You Need to Know Before the Movie?

You don’t need to know much to enjoy it! If you’re familiar with Peaky Blinders – the show about British gangsters from the mid-1900s starring Cillian Murphy – that’s a good start. While longtime fans will likely get more out of certain plot points, The Immortal Man does a great job of introducing the characters and their relationships for anyone new to the series. Everything is explained clearly, so you can easily understand what motivates each character and how they connect to one another.

Viewers who haven’t seen the show might miss some subtle connections, such as how it echoes scenes and visuals from the first episode of Peaky Blinders. They might also be a bit puzzled by things like the repeated phrase “in the bleak midwinter” and what it represents. However, all of that information is readily available online if you’re curious.

I actually think it’s more helpful to watch with subtitles – to really follow the dialogue, especially because of the strong accents – than it is to be familiar with Peaky Blinders beforehand. Luckily, Netflix makes it really simple to turn subtitles on.

How Do You Watch Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man?

The new movie, Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man, is currently showing in select theaters. It will be available to stream on Netflix everywhere on March 20th.

So, that’s the best way to watch it. But is it worth watching? Having only seen a few episodes before watching “The Immortal Man,” I definitely think so. I was really surprised by how much I enjoyed it, and I was able to follow along easily.

The movie will also be available on Netflix, so if you’re already a subscriber, it’s worth checking out. If it doesn’t immediately capture your interest, feel free to switch over to Joe’s College Road Trip instead.

Most people will probably see the movie, like it, and then become interested in the Peaky Blinders TV show. That’s likely why Netflix decided to make the film in the first place.

The Best Netflix Movies of 2025

Plankton: The Movie

Okay, I’ll admit, I was shocked to find a movie centered around Plankton from SpongeBob SquarePants on a ‘best of Netflix’ list! Honestly, it’s been a bit of a lackluster year for original films on the platform. But, Plankton: The Movie is surprisingly good. It’s a fun story about Plankton trying to win back his wife, Karen – who’s a computer, and decides to become a giant robot bent on world domination without him. The animation is mostly 3D, which might take some getting used to if you grew up with the 2D show, but the filmmakers clearly wanted to experiment with different styles, and they do – which I really appreciated.

Nonnas

Netflix released the feel-good movie Nonnas on Mother’s Day. It stars Vince Vaughn as Joe Scaravella, a man who opens an Italian restaurant to honor his mother’s memory. The restaurant’s entire kitchen staff is made up of delightful Italian grandmothers, or nonnas, who bring generations of comforting recipes and family traditions. While the movie follows typical small business struggles – staff disagreements, inspection issues, and a tough critic – it’s ultimately saved by its endearing cast and a sweet, heartfelt premise. It’s a reminder to appreciate your grandmothers!

KPop Demon Hunters

Okay, let me tell you about KPop Demon Hunters. Seriously, everyone’s talking about this Netflix movie, and for good reason. It’s exactly what it sounds like – a K-pop girl group who are secretly amazing martial artists, and their voices are literally the key to protecting the world from demons. They use their music to power this shield called the ‘Honmoon,’ keeping the bad guys at bay. Things get really interesting when a rival boy band shows up…and it turns out they’re actually demons in disguise, trying to tear down that shield! Honestly, the songs are incredibly catchy – I guarantee you’ll be humming ‘Golden’ after just one watch. And the animation is stunning. It’s a fun, twisty story that avoids feeling predictable. Definitely worth checking out.

Broke

As a huge movie fan, I’m always looking for compelling stories, and ‘Broke’ really delivers. It throws you right into the life of Wyatt Russell’s character – a rodeo rider down on his luck, struggling with an injury, and barely making ends meet. But things go from bad to worse when he gets caught in a sudden, brutal blizzard. It’s not just about survival against the elements, but also battling his physical and emotional pain. Honestly, it’s a fantastic performance from Russell – the kind of raw, powerful work you wish you’d seen more of in his recent Marvel projects. That’s what makes films like ‘Broke’ so special – they remind you of the power of truly great acting and storytelling.

Steve

Cillian Murphy consistently delivers compelling performances in roles where his character is facing immense challenges, and his new film, Steve, is no exception. He plays a school principal dedicated to helping troubled boys turn their lives around, despite facing constant disrespect. The movie focuses on a single day in Steve’s life, showing him mediating conflicts, supporting students through personal issues, and striving to make sure they don’t feel isolated.

The Thursday Murder Club

The idea of a seemingly ordinary elderly person solving a murder is a classic mystery theme, seen in everything from Agatha Christie’s Miss Marple stories to the recent Matlock revival. This Netflix movie, The Thursday Murder Club, takes that idea and imagines a whole group of these amateur detectives – all played by well-known actors. Based on Richard Osman’s popular novel, the film follows a group of seniors living in a retirement village who spend their time investigating unsolved cases. It boasts a fantastic cast, a plot that’s both thrilling and heartwarming, and, thankfully, a murder is eventually solved!

Frankenstein

I had a feeling a Frankenstein film from Guillermo del Toro, with Oscar Isaac and Jacob Elordi, would be amazing, but honestly, it exceeded all my expectations. It’s visually stunning – think powerful religious symbolism and breathtaking scenes of the Arctic – and the acting is phenomenal. Jacob Elordi delivers a surprisingly gentle performance as the creature, who just wants to connect with others through literature, while Oscar Isaac is captivating as the arrogant scientist obsessed with defying a higher power. This isn’t just a monster movie; it’s the kind of beautifully haunting, thought-provoking horror film I’ve been hoping for.

Train Dreams

With its thoughtful, almost dreamlike quality and beautiful scenery, Train Dreams is easily one of the year’s best films. Starring Joel Edgerton and Felicity Jones, it tells the life story of a man working on railroads and in logging camps as the Spokane International Railway was being built, and beyond. The movie offers a sad but compelling look at how industrialization changed the American Northwest, impacting people’s lives and destroying vast areas of wilderness.

Jay Kelly

The new film Jay Kelly tells the story of a fading movie star trying to repair relationships with his family and friends, people he neglected while chasing Hollywood success. It sounds a bit cheesy, and director Noah Baumbach embraces that wholeheartedly, to great effect. George Clooney plays Jay Kelly, embarking on a chaotic journey through southern Europe to reconnect with his daughter and attend a career award ceremony in Tuscany. Clooney delivers a raw, energetic performance, supported by equally bold turns from Adam Sandler and Laura Dern. The film builds to a moving acting showcase that’s sure to tug at the heartstrings of Clooney’s fans.

Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery

Benoit Blanc returns in a new mystery, this time set within the walls of a Catholic church—the scene of a shocking murder. In Wake Up Dead Man, Blanc must unravel the crime with the help of a stellar cast, including Josh O’Connor, Glenn Close, Josh Brolin, and Kerry Washington, as they bring the story to life. While the previous film, Glass Onion, felt very modern, this installment draws inspiration from classic gothic mysteries, creating a puzzle that would likely impress Agatha Christie and Arthur Conan Doyle.

2026-03-11 20:28