Redditors claim Peaky Blinders falls flat after watching this show, here's what they're saying

Peaky Blinders has had its fair share of glory. What’s not to love when you’ve got suits, razors, and Tommy Shelby walking through smoky Birmingham streets? The show oozes swagger, violence, and drama. Many fans have hailed it as the ultimate gritty period crime drama.

But some viewers believe that it’s Boardwalk Empire that deserves that claim.

Boardwalk Empire is loaded. There’s Prohibition-era politics, backdoor dealings, and an ensemble of morally shady characters. The show dissects power. According to fans, it’s slower in comparison to Peaky Blinders but more cerebral and has more substance.

And that’s what got Reddit talking. Redditors are even boldly claiming that after watching Boardwalk Empire, Peaky Blinders falls completely flat.

Let's get right into it.

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Peaky Blinders vs. Boardwalk Empire: Which one is better? Redditors weigh in

Fans who’ve binged Boardwalk Empire are looking at Peaky Blinders on Reddit — and not everyone’s thrilled with what they see.

It all started with one confession on Reddit:

"Can’t watch Peaky Blinders after watching Boardwalk Empire."

Further, user ace918 goes on to praise Boardwalk Empire for its unflinching realism and period accuracy:

"BE is gritty and realistic. Feels like the viewer is actually taken back in time to how things were. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve been utterly shocked at some of the death scenes. I mean, that’s how things really were back then. Peaky Blinders feels like your run-of-the-mill Netflix show for your average viewer. Catchy modern rock soundtracks, dramatic cliffhangers at the end of each episode, just overall lacking a certain type of quality that maybe BE viewers would have like to seen."

Now, many fans think the British show is supposed to be stylish and theatrical. But for some viewers, that’s the exact thing that breaks immersion.

Downtown-Flatworm423 didn’t hold back:

"Boardwalk Empire was so much better and I wouldn't consider Peaky Blinders to be one of the top crime dramas like Boardwalk Empire, The Sopranos, or The Wire. Boardwalk Empire had a much better cast, especially Nucky, Rothstein, and Capone, better writing, pays more attention to detail, looks like the 1920's, and is just a better show in general. I couldn't get into Peaky Blinders."

Boardwalk Empire is often praised for its ensemble depth. The latter revolves heavily around the magnetic pull of Cillian Murphy’s Tommy Shelby.

That said, it’s not just cold critique. Some Redditors are clearly fans of both, but just think one has the edge. Like this comment:

"I love Peaky blinders and I’ve watched it start to finish about five times. With that being said: boardwalk blows it out of the water in every single category."

Another common critique is how the British drama portrays its lead. They go on to explain how Boardwalk Empire handles this differently. RopeGloomy4303 writes:

"My main issue is how they always feel the need to show the protagonist as a flawless bad*ss. Like he's always one step ahead of everybody else, despite being a gangster he never does anything particularly heinous onscreen, he's always pitted against antagonists so revolting evil (nazis, rapists, etc.) that he looks like a hero by comparison, he always knows the right thing to say, he even looks cool at all times... Like they try to present him as this complex antihero, but he isn't, he's basically a fantasy figure. On the other hand BB shows you how beneath all the power and 20s glitz and glamour, Nucky is broken... even though he's smart they actually show him make mistakes, be blinded by emotions, being forced to compromise."

Redditor, mrmoviemanic1, wrote:

"...I don't think Peaky Blinders is directly like Boardwalk Empire, but I do think it tries too hard to have the "cool" factor that Boardwalk Empire just inherits with its stricter nature to the world. Not saying Boardwalk couldn't be unrealistic at times, but it's not trying to make a catchphrase at every turn and instead just wanting scenes to mean something for the characters and story."

At the end of the day, it really comes down to what kind of storytelling you gravitate toward.

If you love tension-filled slow shows with morally shady characters you get to know better over time, Boardwalk Empire might be it.

But if you enjoy a stylish show with great one-liners, and a lead who never seems to bow down, the Cillian Murphy show is your slick ride.

Both shows have their highs, and both have earned their place in the TV gangster world. But as always, Reddit’s got opinions — and they’re not afraid to make that known.

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