‘A Thousand Blows’ Review: Steven Knight’s Hulu Boxing Drama Blends Genres to Entertaining if Conventional Effect

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In Steven Knight’s latest Hulu series, “A Thousand Blows“, multiple captivating tales of the seedy side of Victorian London are blended together, sometimes resulting in something less impressive, but frequently proving to be highly entertaining.

In this instance, the knight appears more like an eager self-taught individual discovering novel concepts, rather than a seasoned storyteller. This implies that, at its most questionable, the series “A Thousand Blows” may inspire viewers to explore real-life tales about female criminal groups, emerging boxing with gloves, and 19th-century concert hall entertainers, as it concludes these initial six episodes with a “To Be Continued” tagline and previews of subsequent installments.

In simpler terms, you’ve got a well-performed, well-made television series that blends genres within a historical setting, along with an incentive to delve deeper. And if we’re talking about the creator of such works, it’s none other than Anthony “Peaky Blinders”, “The Veil”, and “All the Light We Cannot See” Knight. He has certainly produced better and he has also produced worse.

Malachi Kirby leads the cast as Hezekiah Moscow, an actual character who journeys from Kingston, Jamaica to London’s East End. Hezekiah, accompanied by his friend Alec Munroe (Francis Lovehall), nurtures aspirations of being a lion tamer but soon learns that Victorian London isn’t always hospitable towards strangers.

In the near future, Hezekiah gets entangled with Mary Carr (Erin Doherty), the head of an infamous all-female criminal group called The Forty Elephants. This puts him squarely in the sights of Sugar Goodson (Stephen Graham), a renowned tavern owner and bare-knuckle fighter. Hezekiah, with his prior experience in combat, could pave the way for a successful boxing career in the legitimate world or serve as a warning tale about organized crime. Alternatively, he might find himself in the midst of an international scandal once Mary concocts a plan for a major heist linked to the arrival of the Chinese trade delegation.

Characters such as Sugar Goodson’s brother Treacle (played by James Nelson-Joyce), the Chinese innkeeper Lao (performed by Jason Tobin), and a few members from Mary’s group, known as the Mary’s Elephants, contribute significantly to enriching this world.

Similar to Hezekiah, Mary, Alec, Sugar, Treacle, and others are all genuine historical figures, much like Victoria Davies, a royal goddaughter; Miss La La, a trapeze artist who was Degas’ muse; Peggy Bettinson, a mustachioed fight promoter; and many more. It would be futile to try to construct a chronology where these characters could have known each other or even engage in the activities portrayed in A Thousand Blows. The novel takes great creative liberties, but it’s clear why Knight was drawn to these vibrant figures and this gritty, polluted society on the verge of what we now call “modernity.

A Thousand Blows shines brightest when Knight and the show’s directors explore the series’ world, meticulously crafted by production designer Tom Burton, costume designer Maja Meschede, and their team with a gritty authenticity. Despite the necessity of fictionalizing many aspects of the larger narrative, the tactile details and fleeting moments often draw heavily on enlightening facts. The six episodes brim with expository scenes where an experienced character guides a newcomer through unfamiliar territories, painting cultural landscapes as if describing different sections in a school cafeteria. These informative scenes act as a springboard for further learning, serving as a catalyst for educational web searches.

Many characters in this series are captivating due to the compact representation of extensive biographical details within a brief timeframe. Hezekiah carries a heavy burden of colonialist hardship, which is vividly portrayed in an initial scene at a dilapidated London zoo (although this aspect is not developed further). Mary’s upbringing mirrors the misery of a Dickens novel, with Susan Lynch portraying a strict, maternal figure from her past. The series also reflects Knight’s affinity for Dickens, as he has previously worked on FX adaptations of ‘A Christmas Carol’ and ‘Great Expectations’. Graham’s character is reminiscent of Bill Sikes but with an even more volatile demeanor. Lao’s background is sparsely detailed at first, yet it proves crucial to the season’s narrative. Lastly, Tobin’s performance in ‘A Thousand Blows’ evokes memories of Cinemax’s ‘Warrior’.

In simpler terms, “Warrior” shares similarities with other shows such as “Peaky Blinders”, “Ripper Street”, the latest Hulu series “The Artful Dodger” based on “Oliver Twist”, and more. Initially, “A Thousand Blows” sets itself apart by incorporating unique elements, but as the season progresses, it begins to resemble a typical TV show rather than an intriguing peek into untold history. It features a love triangle, a heist, and numerous sports training montages, making it appealing to fans of underdog stories and heist narratives. However, my criticism lies in the fact that despite its initial intrigue, “A Thousand Blows” eventually veers towards conventional storytelling.

The performances, particularly at the peak, are outstanding. Kirby, who could have been a rising star following his portrayal of Kunta Kinte in the 2016 reboot of Roots or after his lead role in the Mangrove segment of Small Axe, is of Jamaican descent and convincingly handles accents while also delivering a convincing physical performance in boxing scenes. Graham exhibits the ferocity of a wild wolverine as the ruthless Sugar, with moments of quietude to reveal his character’s internal struggles. If you are only familiar with Doherty from her role as Princess Anne in the secondary cast of The Crown, she is an enjoyable, hard-nosed, and proto-feminist character as the unrefined but adaptable Mary.

Some secondary characters, such as Nelson-Joyce portraying Sugar’s more reasonable brother, Darci Shaw joining as a fresh Elephant recruit, and Adam Nagaitis playing a fancy boxing enthusiast, significantly enhance the diverse world of this series. However, it’s unfortunate that several key characters are sidelined for extended periods. Lovehall and Morgan Hilaire, who play Mary’s trusted assistant, appear to have had larger roles in an eight-episode narrative, but their screen time was drastically reduced in this hurried six-part adaptation.

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The secondary actors, like Nelson-Joyce as Sugar’s more sensible brother, Darci Shaw as a fresh Elephant recruit, and Adam Nagaitis as a foppish boxing fan, add depth to the intricate universe of the series. Regrettably, numerous important characters are overlooked for significant periods. Lovehall and Morgan Hilaire, who portray Mary’s right-hand woman, seem to have been major players in an eight-episode storyline, but their roles were significantly diminished in this quick six-part version.

The strange sensation after the finale is intensified by the hints of the second season (or the second half of the first season), which follow – clips that promise abundant, exhilarating excitement ahead while also implying that these early episodes could have been given more room to develop. Knight adores this world, and within these six episodes, I found myself growing fond of it, yearning to appreciate it even more.

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2025-02-20 04:25