A Thousand Blows: The New Series That Might Outshine Peaky Blinders!

by

As a diehard fan, I’m thrilled to share that after a long wait, the beloved “Peaky Blinders” is set to reappear on our screens, this time as a Netflix movie. But before we reach that point, the latest creation by its mastermind, Steven Knight, is generating tremendous praise ahead of its debut on Hulu this week. Titled “A Thousand Blows,” this period boxing drama has recently earned an impressive Rotten Tomatoes score of 89%, a rating some have deemed even surpassing the brilliance of the Cillian Murphy-led crime series.

According to Sabrina Barr from Metro UK, “A Thousand Blows” might be esteemed more highly than “Peaky Blinders”. She asserts this with conviction, given the exceptional quality she witnessed from its beginning to end. Similarly, Martin Carr from CBR shares this view, also expressing high praise for star Stephen Graham.

In the film “A Thousand Blows,” everything that audiences typically find in a Steven Knight production is present. Stephen Graham delivers a powerful performance, and the story, which is deeply rooted in a significant moment in British history, unfolds as an expansive, character-driven drama.

Set in London’s East End during the 1880s and based on real events, the series A Thousand Blows focuses on a female gang known as the Forty Elephants, led by Mary Carr (Erin Doherty). This group faces off against another, run by Henry “Sugar” Goodson (Graham), who controls the East End’s underground bare-knuckle boxing world. Moreover, the story revolves around Hezekiah Moscow (Malachi Kirby) and Alec Munroe (Francis Lovehall), two friends from Jamaica on the run, who become entangled in this rough-and-tumble bare-knuckle boxing world, eventually finding themselves caught up in the lives of both Carr and Goodson.

The Praise Continues for ‘A Thousand Blows’

Experienced in period productions, Knight has crafted some of the most captivating historical series to grace our screens, including Peaky Blinders, Taboo, All the Light We Cannot See, and The Town. His latest work, A Thousand Blows, adds another notch to his belt of critically acclaimed productions. Nicola Austin from Empire Magazine noted that while it may not be a complete knockout, it “definitely delivers a strong punch – thanks to stellar lead performances, a gripping narrative, and an intriguing historical backdrop.

If you’re searching for a series similar to Peaky Blinders, Steven Knight’s A Thousand Blows could be an outstanding choice according to Simon Gallagher from Screen Rant. Meanwhile, M.N. Miller of FandomWire describes it as a thrilling journey on the edge, going so far as to say that this series would impress Nelson Algren with its raw realism, featuring drifters, con artists, and misfits who are eager to fight tooth and nail for their share of the pie.

Maggie Boccella from Collider is currently the lone critic expressing disagreement, stating that “A Thousand Blows” offers enjoyable entertainment, but lacks the impactful intensity found in “Peaky Blinders“. It’s worth mentioning that a second season for this series has already been approved, ensuring viewers won’t be left without resolution after watching its initial six episodes. You can make up your own mind about the show’s quality when “A Thousand Blows” debuts on Hulu on February 21, 2025.

Read More

2025-02-19 19:08