Hulu's 10/10 Action Thriller With Near-Perfect Rotten Tomatoes Score Lives Up To Its Punchy Title

Hulu is packed with hidden gems, but few are punching their way into the mainstream like A Thousand Blows. When its second season dropped in January, it did more than deliver thrills - it cemented itself as a breakout hit. With audiences and critics alike buzzing about the visceral action, the gritty historical crime thriller has become a must-watch.

Created by Peaky Blinders mastermind Steven Knight, A Thousand Blows blends historical crime and visceral action in Victorian London. Knight’s signature storytelling, packed with grit, layered characters, and striking visuals, finds new life in the world of bare-knuckle boxing and criminal underworlds in the 19th century.

This time, instead of Birmingham gangsters, Knight centers his focus on the Forty Elephants, an all-female crime empire navigating a male-dominated underground. The result is a fresh universe built on high stakes and characters with a criminal fierceness Peaky Blinders fans will find satisfyingly familiar.

With a solid 91% on Rotten Tomatoes, A Thousand Blows is proving to be another hit for the man behind Peaky Blinders. Season 2’s arrival on Hulu gives subscribers the perfect moment to dive into the brutal world of Victorian London and experience a show that’s as thoughtful as it is thrilling.

What Is A Thousand Blows About?

A Period Crime Drama That Blends Bare-Knuckle Boxing With The Underworld Of Victorian London

A Thousand Blows plunges viewers into the gritty streets of 1880s East End London, where bare-knuckle boxing and criminal enterprises collide. At its core is Hezekiah Moscow (Malachi Kirby), a Jamaican fighter thrust into the brutal world of underground fights.

Intertwined with Hezekiah’s ascent is the story of the Forty Elephants. Led by Mary Carr (Erin Doherty), this all-female criminal syndicate operates with precision and ambition in a world that expects them to be nothing more than shadows. Their presence shifts the typical gangland narrative, offering fresh perspectives on power, gender, and defiance in a patriarchal society.

Creator Steven Knight brings the same expertise in period crime storytelling that made Peaky Blinders such a hit to A Thousand Blows, focusing as much on character depth as on raw violence. However, A Thousand Blows has its own distinct identity that stems from its fusion of muscular, visceral action with complex human stories, exploring loyalty, ambition, and survival.

As A Thousand Blows unfolds, the struggle for dominance isn’t just in the ring; it’s in the streets and back alleys where alliances and rivalries shape every outcome. Fighters, thieves, and strategists push against the boundaries of their world, forging fragile alliances and clashing with brutal foes.

A Thousand Blows Delivers On The Action

Bone-Crunching Fights And Immersive Period Combat Make The Show A Solid Hit

At its best, A Thousand Blows is more than a period crime drama. It’s a visceral action spectacle rooted in bare-knuckle boxing that never flinches from brutality. The fight choreography is phenomenal. Every punch has weight, every match feels unpredictable, and the stakes extend far beyond the ring.

The boxing sequences in Thousand Blows aren’t just physical contests; they’re key moments of character development. Hezekiah’s battles reveal his resolve and inner conflict, while Sugar Goodson (Stephen Graham) embodies the old guard’s desperate grip on relevance.

These fights don’t just advance the plot; they deepen viewers understanding of who these men are and what drives them. However, this doesn’t stop them being adrenaline-fuelled and intense as any blockbuster boxing movie. What’s more, boxing sequences aren’t the only time A Thousand Blows wears its identity as an action thriller with pride.

Just as compelling are the action sequences outside the ring. A Thousand Blows’ setting in a crime-ridden Victorian London opens the door to heists, turf wars, and stealthy escapes. The Forty Elephants’ raids and strategic maneuvers are crafted with precision, giving the show a heist-like thrill that complements its in-ring fights.

Unlike many period dramas that reserve action for isolated moments, A Thousand Blows integrates physical conflict into its storytelling rhythm. Brawls can erupt in pubs, alleyways, or during high-tension confrontations, keeping the momentum relentless and unpredictable.

This commitment to intense action moments also reflects one of the show’s central themes - the brutality of history. Life in 1880s London was unforgiving, and the action in A Thousand Blows preserves that historical intensity. The violence feels organic to the era’s brutality rather than inserted for spectacle’s sake.

The scale of action also evolves between seasons. While the first season of A Thousand Blows leaned heavily on fight sequences, season two expands its action palette with heist plots and gang conflicts that demand different kinds of choreography. These shifts maintain freshness, ensuring that viewers remain engaged with ever-rising tensions.

Production values elevate every punch and pursuit. Detailed set design, period-accurate costumes, and fluid camera work give the action a cinematic breadth rarely seen on streaming platforms. Coupled with strong performances, the fights feel alive and consequential, making A Thousand Blows one of Hulu’s most thrilling experiences.

Everything We Know About Thousand Blows Season 3

Renewal Is Unconfirmed But Signs Point To Future Expansion

Despite A Thousand Blows season 2’s critical success and near-perfect Rotten Tomatoes score, Hulu has not officially renewed the Stephen Knight show for season 3. No formal release date or production window has been announced, leaving the future open but optimistic.

Still, there are indicators that a third season could happen. Creator Steven Knight has hinted that he envisions the world of A Thousand Blows expanding beyond its current scope, describing a view to the future rather than season 2 being the end.

Narratively, the door for A Thousand Blows to return is wide open. Season 2 culminates with shifting alliances, new conflicts, and unanswered personal arcs that naturally fuel further episodes. Whether it’s Hezekiah’s evolving path, Mary Carr’s leadership of the Forty Elephants, or fresh threats from rival factions in London or beyond, the potential for expansion is abundant.

The fact that the show has been so successful also means there’s a good chance it could return. Given the strong reception and buzz A Thousand Blows has generated, it’s reasonable to expect that Hulu can see its potential as a long-running addition to its library. Time will tell, but there’s no reason A Thousand Blows needs to stop at two seasons.