38/42
The DC Studios logo is placed on a rainy Gotham alley
Plot
Following the events of The Batman (2022), Oz Cobb, aka The Penguin, makes a play to take over the reins of Gotham’s criminal underworld. From melting makeup to filming in freezing temperatures, Colin Farrell and Cristin Milioti talk about how they became a character during the production of “The Penguin”. Colin Farrell fought hard to get his version of the Penguin to smoke tobacco in The Batman (2022), but failed. However, for his own series, the character is described as a casual smoker with a preference for cigars.. An umbrella falls and the logo changes to the Warner Bros.
Featured in Graham Norton and guests: Lady Gaga/Demi Moore/Colin Farrell/Richard Ayoade/Jack Savoretti (2024)
logo. The new HBO show The Penguin, a spin-off from Matt Reeves' The Batman (2022), is an exciting dive into Gotham City’s criminal underworld. Led by Colin Farrell as the titular character Oswald Cobblepot, aka The Penguin, this series expands on the dark and colorful tone established by the film and offers fans a fresh yet familiar experience in the Batman universe. Unlike most superhero content, The Penguin focuses on the darker and more human elements of Gotham’s criminals, 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.
Colin Farrell’s Performance Colin Farrell’s portrayal of Penguin is nothing short of remarkable
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. His transformation from an underboss to a major crime lord is the main focus, giving The Penguin a mob drama vibe more akin to The Sopranos than a traditional superhero show. The show smartly avoids relying too much on Batman’s shadow, allowing the Penguin to really shine as the leader. Without the commanding 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 fresh for the genre and adds depth to Gotham’s criminal world without focusing too much on the superhero spectacle.
Farrell brings layers to the character, moving beyond the stereotypical villain portrayal
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 insecurity and ambition that drives him. The Penguin is no longer just a caricature of a deformed, umbrella-wielding villain; instead, he is depicted as a ruthless and calculating player in Gotham’s criminal hierarchy, making him both terrifying and strangely likable. His Oswald Cobblepot is shrewd, manipulative and ready to break bones, yet he is also a man driven by a deep-seated inferiority complex and a desire for respect. Watching him navigate the treacherous waters of Gotham’s criminal underworld is compelling and provides a thorough take on the character, making The Penguin a fascinating character study. Atmosphere and raw tone In terms of atmosphere, The Penguin maintains the same grim and rainy.
aesthetic that fans loved in The Batman
The dark, crime-ridden streets of Gotham are beautifully shot, emphasizing realism over comic book extravagance. The tone of the series is dark, violent and tension-filled, 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 set pieces that feel like a natural extension of Reeves' Gotham City. The seedy clubs, seedy alleyways and opulent crime lord mansions all add to the immersive feel of the show.
Leave a Reply