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Cillian Murphy’s Spy Thriller ‘Anna’ Finds New Life as Fans Anticipate His Peaky Blinders Return

Over four years after its release, Anna—the sleek, high-style spy thriller from action auteur Luc Besson—is finding fresh attention. Why? Because Cillian Murphy, fresh off his Oscar win, is once again at the center of global buzz.

Though Anna didn’t exactly set critics alight when it hit theaters in 2019, fans have rediscovered the film for its intense energy, striking visuals, and unpredictable twists. Directed by Besson, the creator behind hits like Lucy and Taken, the movie blends fashion, espionage, and revenge into a whirlwind of deceit and double-crosses—anchored by a surprisingly cold-blooded performance from Sasha Luss as the titular assassin, and a quietly magnetic supporting turn from Murphy himself.

Critical Chill vs. Audience Heat

Upon its release, Anna divided audiences and reviewers alike. Critics were harsh, giving it a 33% Rotten Tomatoes score, with some calling it a “throwback thriller that lacks originality.” But fans told a very different story. Audience ratings soared to 81%, praising the movie’s “slick pacing,” “gorgeous cinematography,” and “Cillian Murphy’s icy charisma.”

Over time, that gap has only grown. While critics saw a rehash of Nikita and Atomic Blonde, audiences connected with its blend of high-stakes espionage, Parisian glamor, and explosive action. For many, Anna became a guilty pleasure — a visually stunning, unapologetically pulpy ride through the murky world of Cold War-style betrayal.

Murphy’s character, Lenny Miller, stands out as a cunning CIA operative who may or may not be helping the heroine. It’s a role that fits the actor’s trademark ambiguity — his ability to blend danger and sensitivity in equal measure.

Luc Besson’s Signature Style Returns

For Luc Besson, Anna marked a return to the genre that made his name: stylish, female-led action thrillers that pair kinetic visuals with complex heroines. Just as Léon: The Professional made Natalie Portman a star and Lucy transformed Scarlett Johansson into a superhuman weapon, Anna centers on a woman weaponized by circumstance and betrayal.

Sasha Luss, a Russian model turned actress, plays the assassin forced into a life of espionage after being recruited by the KGB. Her journey through deception, beauty, and survival unfolds across Paris, Milan, and Moscow — a jet-setting fever dream of couture and carnage.

Murphy’s presence grounds the film, his sharp exchanges with Luss providing both tension and depth. “He has this quiet intensity that makes every scene feel dangerous,” one fan wrote in a recent online thread that helped reignite interest in the film.

Where to Watch ‘Anna’ Now

If you’re looking to stream Anna, the availability depends on where you are.

The film isn’t currently available on Netflix UK or Ireland, but viewers in those regions can rent or buy it through Prime Video and Apple TV+. Internationally, Anna is still streaming on Netflix in most territories, making it an easy choice for fans of slick spy cinema looking for something fast-paced and visually striking.

Cillian Murphy’s Next Chapter: From ‘Anna’ to ‘Blood Runs Coal’

Since taking home his Academy Award in 2024 for his haunting portrayal of J. Robert Oppenheimer, Cillian Murphy has been deliberate about his next steps. His next major role is already generating excitement — he’s set to star in the upcoming film adaptation of Mark A. Bradley’s bestselling book Blood Runs Coal.

The story explores power, corruption, and murder in a Pennsylvania mining town, delving deep into the clash between labor unions and corporate greed. It’s a grounded, gritty departure from the stylized espionage of Anna, but one that taps perfectly into Murphy’s gift for playing men caught in moral conflict.

Fans and critics alike are calling it “a natural follow-up” to his work in Oppenheimer, promising another performance that balances fragility and fury beneath the surface.

The Return of Tommy Shelby

Of course, no Cillian Murphy update would be complete without mentioning Tommy Shelby.

For years, fans of Peaky Blinders have waited for closure to the Shelby family saga — and now, confirmation has finally arrived. Series creator Steven Knight recently told BirminghamWorld that the Peaky Blinders film is officially moving forward, with Murphy confirmed to return in his iconic role as the razor-sharp gang leader turned political power broker.

“He definitely is returning for it,” Knight said, adding that filming will begin “in September, just down the road in Digbeth.”

Knight hinted that the film would take place against the backdrop of World War II, with Tommy Shelby navigating a darker, more desperate world. “It’s about redemption, but it’s also about survival,” he teased. “We’re bringing his story full circle.”

A Legacy of Duality

Murphy’s filmography has always been defined by duality — the calm surface and the chaos beneath. Whether he’s playing a nuclear physicist haunted by guilt (Oppenheimer), a gangster with a poet’s soul (Peaky Blinders), or a CIA agent navigating lies (Anna), his performances pulse with quiet intensity.

Anna, for all its flaws, captures that duality perfectly — a movie that’s both brutal and beautiful, pulpy yet hypnotic. And with Murphy’s career now at a new peak, fans are rediscovering his older work with fresh eyes.

The Final Word

Anna might not have been a critical darling, but time has a way of reframing art. As Murphy ascends to new heights — from Oscar winner to global icon — the film that once slipped under the radar is finding its audience.

Whether you watch it for the sleek action, Luc Besson’s stylish direction, or simply to see one of cinema’s most magnetic actors at work, Anna proves that even a flawed gem can shine brighter with time.