Common Sense Media Review
By Joyce Slaton
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Brutal violence, sex, and drugs in 1920s gang drama.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 16+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Peaky Blinders
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 18 parent reviews
Parents say the series features impressive cinematography, a compelling plot, and strong character development, particularly with the lead performance; however, it is heavily laden with graphic violence, explicit sexual content, and strong language, leading many to recommend it strictly for mature audiences. Although some praise its deep themes around family and morality in the context of post-war consequences, others find its reliance on clichés detracting from its overall quality.
- visual appeal
- strong performances
- mature themes
- graphic content
- predictable elements
Summarized with AI
Summarized with AI
Based on 62 kid reviews
Kids say the show features significant amounts of violence, sexual content, and drug use, making it more appropriate for mature audiences, typically around ages 14 and up. Many young viewers feel that while the themes are intense, they can handle the mature content, especially if they are already familiar with similar themes from other media.
- mature content
- graphic violence
- sexual themes
- strong language
- viewer discretion
Summarized with AI
What's the Story?
In Birmingham, England, in 1919, the PEAKY BLINDERS are known for their lethal habit of sewing razor blades into the brims of their distinctive caps, all the better to head-butt (and maybe blind) their opponents when violence is called for. Tommy Shelby (Cillian Murphy) is the fearless leader of the gang at a moment when it's at a crossroads. After the Blinders steal a cache of guns during a robbery, the gang comes to the attention of Chief Inspector Chester Campbell (Sam Neill), a detective in the Royal Irish Constabulary. Campbell's orders are to find the guns, break up the Blinders, and clean up crime and corruption in Birmingham. On Campbell's side is mysterious Irish colleen Grace Burgess (Annabelle Wallis), who's working as a barmaid in the Blinders' hangout and spying on Tommy for reasons of her own. Campbell also sees rich possibilities in the secretive romance between Tommy's sister, Ada (Sophie Rundle), and Tommy's past wartime comrade and current political rival, Freddie Thorne (Iddo Goldberg). But Tommy's not going to make it easy for Campbell to push him or his gang out. A war is coming, and how it will end is anyone's guess.
Is It Any Good?
From the very first scenes, this show lets mature viewers know they're in for a treat. Peaky Blinders' solemn Tommy Shelby parades through the grim, gray streets of early 20th century Birmingham on a sleek black horse, the anachronistic strains of Nick Cave's "Red Right Hand" swelling on the soundtrack. Is murder on his mind? Is he looking for a rival or a romance? Is he about to wreak hell on what looks like a run-down neighborhood? Nope. He's flamboyantly buying the services of a local medium, paying to have a spell cast on his horse so he'll win at the races tomorrow. Does Tommy really believe this spell will make his horse a winner? Nah. He just wants to attract more betting customers.
Peaky Blinders is full of scenes like this, which zig when you expect them to zag, or take the drama in an unexpected new direction. Gang stories are by now a cinematic cliché. Audiences who gasped their way through The Godfather in the 1970s are pretty immune to ultraviolent shocks on-screen. So although Blinders contains plenty of brutality and violence, it's not the meat of the story as it is in lesser gang dramas. The real drama is between the characters. Will Tommy forgive Freddie for knocking up his sister? What plans does Tommy's canny Aunt Polly (Helen McCrory) have for her family members? What's Grace Burgess after, and does it have anything to do with the nightmarish flashbacks Tommy suffers every time he smokes opium? This rich and compelling drama is of unusually high quality and is a lush treat for cerebral, adult viewers.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about why many TV dramas like Peaky Blinders follow gangs. Why are gangs an area of enduring fascination for viewers? What other shows about the criminal underworld can you name? How are they similar to or different from Peaky Blinders?
Tommy and other Peaky Blinders gang members fought in World War I. How did that affect their characters and their actions? What about their political leanings? Find out more about British soldiers in WWI and what types of battlefield conditions and violence they faced. Does this help you understand the characters of Peaky Blinders?
Can you think of any other criminal groups in history with a distinctive mode of dress? Why would a gang want to have a signature look or an accessory? Why would they want to dress alike?
How are the women in Peaky Blinders portrayed? Are they strong? Do they have power over their own lives? Are others sexualized or stereotypical? Why is it important to show nuanced women on-screen?
TV Details
- Premiere date : September 12, 2013
- Cast : Cillian Murphy , Sam Neill , Helen McCrory
- Network : Netflix
- Genre : Drama
- Topics : Family Stories , History
- TV rating :
- Awards : BAFTA - BAFTA Winner , BAFTA - BAFTA Nominee
- Last updated : March 23, 2026
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