42/10
The DC Studios logo is placed in a rainy Gotham alley
Plot
Following the events of The Batman (2022), Oz Cobb, aka the Penguin, attempts to take over Gotham’s underworld. From melting makeup to filming in freezing temperatures, Colin Farrell and Cristin Milioti talk about getting into character while filming “The Penguin.” Colin Farrell fought to have his version of the Penguin smoke tobacco in The Batman (2022), but was unsuccessful. For his own series, however, the character is depicted as a casual tobacco user, with a preference for cigars. An umbrella falls and the logo transforms into the Warner Bros. logo.
Starring in Graham Norton and the Fans: Lady Gaga/Demi Moore/Colin Farrell/Richard Ayoade/Jack Savoretti (2024)
The new HBO series The Penguin, a spin-off from Matt Reeves’ The Batman (2022) is a thrilling dive into the criminal underworld of Gotham City. Directed by Colin Farrell as the title character Oswald Cobblepot, aka The Penguin, the series expands on the dark and gritty tone set by the film and offers fans a new yet familiar experience in the Batman universe. Unlike most superhero content, The Penguin focuses on the darker, more human elements of Gotham’s criminal underworld, moving away from the caped crusader to highlight the rise of one of Batman’s most notorious foes. Storyline Set immediately after the events of The Batman, the series explores Penguin’s journey to fill the power vacuum left in Gotham’s criminal empire. With Carmine Falcone dead and Gotham’s infrastructure in chaos, Penguin seizes the opportunity to rise through the ranks, determined to assert his control over the city’s crime syndicates.
Colin Farrell’s Performance Colin Farrell’s portrayal of The Penguin is nothing short of remarkable
His transformation from underboss to crime lord is the main focus, giving The Penguin a mob drama vibe more akin to The Sopranos than a traditional superhero series. The show smartly avoids leaning too heavily on Batman’s shadow, allowing The Penguin to really shine as a main character. Without the overbearing presence of Gotham’s protector, it creates a new and interesting dynamic, where Oswald is free to operate in a morally ambiguous space. This narrative shift feels new for the genre, and adds depth to Gotham’s crime world without focusing too much on superhero spectacle. Physically unrecognizable in his prosthetic makeup, Farrell fully inhabits the character with a nuanced performance that balances the brutality of a mob boss with the insecurities and ambition that drive him.
Farrell brings layers to the character, going beyond the stereotypical villain portrait
The Penguin is no longer just a caricature of a deformed, umbrella-wielding villain; instead, he is portrayed as a ruthless, calculating player in Gotham’s criminal hierarchy, making him both terrifying and oddly sympathetic. His Oswald Cobblepot is cunning, manipulative, and willing to break bones, but he is also a man driven by a deep-rooted inferiority complex and a desire for respect. Watching him navigate the dangerous waters of Gotham’s crime world is compelling and offers a grounded approach to character, making The Penguin a fascinating character study. A Raw Atmosphere and Tone In terms of atmosphere, The Penguin maintains the same gritty, rainy aesthetic that fans loved about The Batman. The dark, crime-ridden streets of Gotham are beautifully filmed, with an emphasis on realism over comic book extravagance.
The tone of the series is dark, violent, and charged with tension, reminiscent of neo-noir crime thrillers
Every scene is steeped in Gotham’s corruption and decay, and it feels like danger lurks in every shadow. The production design is top-notch, with sets that feel like a natural extension of Keanu Reeves’ Gotham City. The seedy clubs, dilapidated alleyways, and lavish mansions of crime lords all contribute to the show’s immersive feel.
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