British ‘gangster classic’ loved by fans is now streaming on ITVX | Films | Entertainment

One British crime drama has returned to screens and is set to find a fresh audience in the streaming realm – with fans old and new calling it a “true gangster classic” and one of the most intense films ever made about the UK’s criminal underworld.

Originally released in 1990, The Krays stars real-life brothers Gary and Martin Kemp – of Spandau Ballet fame – as the infamous East End gangsters Ronnie and Reggie Kray.

Directed by Peter Medak and with a haunting score by Eric Clapton collaborator David Kamen, the film blends style, family drama and shocking violence to tell the story of how two seemingly charming young men from Bethnal Green rose to become the most feared crime lords in London.

With an 82% score on Rotten Tomatoes and a fresh 80% audience rating, the film is once again grabbing attention – this time from streaming audiences discovering (or rediscovering) its power.

“A true gangster classic!!” wrote one enthusiastic fan in the reviewing platform. “All of the brawling, bloodshed and wise guy grandiosity that a fan could want in a gangster flick.”

Set against the backdrop of 1950s and 60s London, The Krays digs deep into the psychology of two brothers shaped by war, violence, and a possessive mother whose love was as controlling as it was unconditional. Billie Whitelaw’s performance as Violet Kray has been called one of the most chilling and complex portrayals of motherhood ever put on film.

“The movie is not simply a catalog of stabbings, garrotings and bloodletting,” one reviewer noted. “It goes deeper than into the twisted pathology of twins whose faces would light up with joy when their mom told them they looked just like proper gentlemen.”

The clash between family loyalty and brutal ambition forms the emotional core of the film, as The Krays focuses less on the business side of crime and more on the people behind the violence.

The film doesn’t glorify them, but it also doesn’t simplify them. It paints them as complex, damaged men – a view that some fans say gives the film more power: “The Krays weren’t just villains” one fan commented online. “They were celebrities, local heroes, monsters, and brothers. This film gets that balance just right.”

The casting of the Kemp brothers was controversial at the time – neither were professional actors when the film was made – but their performances were a surprise hit with critics, with many praising their ability to convey both the glamour and the madness of the Kray twins.

Now, a new generation is able to discover The Krays on ITVX: “Incredible” wrote one viewer. “Seriously intense and a bit shocking in places. Kamen’s soundtrack steals the show a little bit here though.” Another added: “I’d never seen it before. Didn’t expect to be so gripped. It’s stylish, creepy, and just bloody good storytelling.”