Review: Hulu’s “A Thousand Blows” Lands a Major Punch

From the creators of Peaky Blinders, two best friends from Jamaica wind up in the violent and unpredictable underbelly of Victorian era London in Hulu’s A Thousand Blows.

A Thousand Blows follows Hezekiah and Alec, two best friends from Jamaica who find themselves entrapped in London’s vibrant and unpredictable East End. Taking place during the post-industrial revolution Victorian era, the pair are faced with the harsh and violent realities of the world around them. Hezekiah, enthralled with the criminal underground boxing scene, meets Mary Carr, a gang leader for the The Forty Elephants. Based on the real all-women gang, Carr and her accomplices commit crimes like pickpocketing, looting, and doing whatever they can to survive. As Hezekiah continues to hone his boxing skills as a way to make a living, he will face off against Sugar Goodson, a notoriously tough and dangerous boxer that will lead to a tumultuous rivalry both in and out of the ring.

A Thousand Blows kicks off with a view of Mary Carr. Screaming in pain in the streets of London, we see her in labor. A nice woman comes to help her as a crowd of people standby and watch. In that crowd lies Hezekiah and Alec. While men in nice suits stand in awe of the poor woman, Hezekiah begins to notice something strange. There are other cloaked figures in the crowd, grabbing items out of the pockets of bystanders. Suddenly, Carr and the helpful women stand up and run out of the way, quickly removing their cloaks and changing their outfits. The whole thing was an act. This first look at The Forty Elephants really sets the tone as A Thousand Blows invites viewers into the chaos and duality of these characters. Most of the series highlights a dirty and murky world filled by characters with questionable intentions. Hezekiah, charmingly played by Malachi Kirbi, provides a cornerstone of honesty as him and Alec navigate the chaos of East End London. The pair face racism as they attempt to find a place to stay, quickly revisiting past memories of British colonialism in Jamaica and the devastating impact it had on them and their families. While Carr, played by Erin Doherty, finds herself wrapped in situations with other dishonest figures, she gravitates towards Hezekiah’s genuine nature.

For a high intensity storyline, A Thousand Blows really hones in on a low key, yet devious tone. Around every corner, there are unexpected adversaries, crimes, and chaos, but in this version of London’s East End, it feels normal. As Alec and Hezekiah find themselves at the underground boxing ring, the series doesn’t hold back with gore. For those who are squeamish, there is quite a bit of blood and violence, including guns, blunt force trauma, and death. While it takes a while to get to know these characters past their initial facade, the payoff is worth the investment. In terms of world building, Hulu nailed immersion with this series. As I’m sure you’ve picked up by now, this is far from a series for the whole family. However, for the appropriate audience, I highly recommend checking out A Thousand Blows when it premieres on Hulu February 21st.

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