Rating: 5/5 By Order of the Peaky Blinders

Cillian Murphy returns as Thomas Shelby in Peaky Blinders 2: The Rising Sun, a feature film continuation that serves as both a sequel to the series and a new chapter in the Shelby saga.

The film picks up during World War II. Tommy Shelby is an old man now, haunted by his past but still sharp as a blade. When a Japanese criminal organization attempts to infiltrate British trade routes, Tommy is called back from retirement by Winston Churchill himself. The war is global, and the Peaky Blinders are needed once more.

Murphy delivers a career-defining performance, capturing Tommy’s weariness and cunning. The production design is sumptuous, capturing wartime Britain with gritty authenticity. The action is brutal, and the dialogue is sharp. New characters (including a fierce Japanese crime lord) add fresh tension. The final scene—Tommy walking through the streets of Small Heath, the ghosts of his past walking with him—is perfect.

The Verdict: A stunning conclusion to one of television’s greatest sagas. Thomas Shelby rests. The Peaky Blinders live forever.

Final Thought: In the bleak midwinter. The Shelby boys ride again.