A Thousand Blows, a British historical drama streaming on Disney+, has been a hit since its release on February 21, 2025. Created by Steven Knight of Peaky Blinders fame, the series is a gritty tale of bare-knuckle boxing and crime gangs in the East End of 1880s London. Starring Malachi Kirby, Erin Doherty, Stephen Graham, and Frances Lovehall, the six-episode series is available on Disney+ (International) and Hulu (US). How is the series? Let’s check out a straight-forward review in Telugu!
What’s in the story?
Set in the East End of London in the 1880s, the story revolves around the lives of two Jamaican friends, Hezekiah Moscow (Malachi Kirby) and Alec Monroe (Francis Lovehall). They come to London from Jamaica in search of a better life, but they become entangled in the violent world of bare-knuckle boxing. Hezekiah becomes a star with his boxing talent, but at the same time he catches the eye of Mary Carr (Erin Doherty), the leader of an all-female crime gang called the Forty Elephants. Mary wants to use Hezekiah's skills for her criminal empire. On the other hand, East End boxing boss Sugar Goodson (Stephen Graham) sees Hezekiah as a threat and wants to finish him off. The high-stakes drama between the three is rife with themes of revenge, racism, and sexism.
How is the series?
A Thousand Blows hits hard with its dark, energetic vibe from the very first episode! This series is a real treat for those who know what Steven Knight's style is all about. Violent fight scenes, complex characters, sharp dialogues—all give it a Peaky Blinders feel, but the 1880s London backdrop adds a fresh touch. The visuals are stunning—dirty streets, gas lights, smoky boxing rings—all transport you to the 19th century. The costumes and set design make you feel like you're watching a high-budget period drama. The Forty Elephants gang scenes are total fun! Especially the scene where they raid Harrods for jewelry is super exciting. Hezekiah and Alec’s friendship, the scenes where they face racism, are heartwarming.
However, the series also has some misses. Hezekiah’s boxing story, Mary’s gang heist, Sugar Goodson’s revenge—these three threads didn’t quite mesh well at times. The Forty Elephants story should have been given more screen time, because Mary’s character is very interesting, but her story felt unfinished. Season 1 ends on a cliffhanger, which builds curiosity for season 2 but leaves some people wondering, “Is this going to continue?” The fight scenes are brutal and brilliantly choreographed, but some scenes are slow-paced, and the subplots feel unnecessarily dragged out.
Actors, Technical Team
Malachi Kirby carried the series on his shoulders as Hezekiah. His comedic timing, naturalness in emotional scenes, intensity in fight scenes—all made him a star. Erin Doherty was amazing as Mary Carr—her smarts and toughness were super visible on screen. Stephen Graham was intimidating with his trademark intensity as Sugar Goodson, his presence on screen made you drool! Frances Lovehall was decent as Alec, and the supporting cast like Hannah Walters and Jason Tobin were also good. But, it seemed that some of the characters were not given much depth.
Technically, the series is amazing. Tinj Krishnan and Nick Murphy's direction showed the East End with a dingy, dark look. The cinematography captures the Thames River and London streets beautifully—each frame is like a painting. The background score is a perfect match for the series’ heavy, gloomy tone, but the theme song may seem a bit weird to some. The production values are high-end, but in some scenes the Disney-style soapy touch feels a bit disconnected, giving the gritty vibe a slightly disturbed feel.
Highlights
Awesome performances by Malachi Kirby, Erin Doherty, Stephen Graham
Visuals of 1880s London, cinematography
Fun, excitement in the Forty Elephants gang scenes
Story that touches on themes of racism, ambition, and sexism
Cons
Lack of sync between the three story threads
Little screen time for Mary's story
Cliffhanger ending feels unfinished
Some slow, draggy scenes
Who can watch it?
A Thousand Blows will give a kick to those who like crime dramas like Peaky Blinders and Gangs of London. Those who like historical dramas, boxing themes, and strong female characters will binge this series. However, family audiences should watch with caution as there are bloody fight scenes and violence. Telugu viewers can enjoy this series with subtitles on Disney+. It seems that season 2 has already been shot, so we can expect the story to continue!
Rating: 3.5/5
A Thousand Blows is a gritty, gritty take on the London underworld of the 1880s, with Steven Knight's gritty magic. The performances of Malachi Kirby, Erin Doherty, and Stephen Graham, along with killer visuals and the Forty Elephants storyline, make the series super engaging. However, some of the story threads don't sync up and the slow scenes don't let the series reach the level of Peaky Blinders. This series is a ride and a half for crime drama lovers! Let's hope Season 2 covers these minor flaws!
Streaming: Disney+ (International), Hulu (US)
Release Date: February 21, 2025
Cast: Malachi Kirby, Erin Doherty, Stephen Graham, Frances Lovehall
Creator: Steven Knight