Colin Farrell brings a layered character to life in a thrilling series about the rise of The Penguin
In a season packed with blockbuster movie releases and film festivals, it’s easy to overlook the content streaming on platforms like HBO and Max. Yet, The Penguin manages to stand out amidst all the noise, offering a new, dark dive into Gotham’s gritty underworld. According to Variety, the first episode of this spin-off from The Batman (2022) had the strongest global debut on HBO and Max since the launch of The Last of Us in January 2023. Here’s why The Penguin is making waves after just one episode.
A continuation of The Batman storyline
The Penguin picks up just a week after the events of The Batman. In fact, the series mirrors a pivotal scene from the movie, with Oswald Cobblepot (played by an unrecognizable Colin Farrell) witnessing the chaos after The Riddler (Paul Dano) destroys Gotham’s dam, flooding the poorer districts and affecting thousands of residents. With his former boss, Carmine Falcone, murdered at the end of The Batman, Oswald races to Falcone’s lair. In a powerful scene, he smashes the crime lord’s safe with a sledgehammer and claims the riches inside, including sensitive materials that give him leverage over Gotham’s elite.
However, things quickly spiral out of control when he’s caught by Alberto Falcone (Michael Zegen). In a rash moment, Oswald makes a dangerous move that could put him in the crosshairs of the powerful Falcone crime family. But, ever resourceful, Oswald devises a bold plan that may just save his life—though pulling it off will be no easy feat. The stakes rise further when the unpredictable Sofia Falcone (Cristin Milioti) takes control of the family business after spending years in Arkham Asylum. And she’s not exactly stable…
A nod to mobster classics
What sets The Penguin apart is its decision to pay homage to one of television’s most iconic mobsters, Tony Soprano from The Sopranos (1999). The show’s writers humanize Oswald, distancing him from his comic book origins and giving him a more grounded backstory. Unlike in the comics (and Batman Returns, where Danny DeVito portrays him), where Oswald hails from Gotham’s elite before being driven into the sewers due to his grotesque appearance, The Penguin reimagines him as someone from the city’s lower classes. He’s had to fight for everything he has, making his rise even more compelling. This change is highlighted by the shortening of his aristocratic-sounding name, Cobblepot, to the more modest “Cobb.”
As a result, Oswald becomes a character you can’t help but root for. He’s been continually undermined by his deformities, which he overcomes with sharp cunning and a ruthless attitude. Compared to the truly villainous members of the Falcone family, who are either incompetent or downright unhinged, Oswald comes off almost heroic in a David-versus-Goliath narrative. Cristin Milioti shines as the dangerously unhinged Sofia Falcone, who suspects Oswald had something to do with her brother’s disappearance. Her growing suspicion sets up a tense cat-and-mouse game, as Oswald scrambles to stay ahead of her tightening grip while plotting his next move to survive.
A gripping first episode
The Penguin hooks viewers from the very first episode. The moody visuals and dark set design perfectly echo the tone of Robert Pattinson’s 2022 The Batman, creating a version of Gotham where danger lurks around every corner. Yet, the show also bathes the city in a warm, twilight glow, symbolizing the glimmer of hope and ambition that even someone like Oswald clings to. Despite being hidden beneath layers of prosthetics, Colin Farrell masterfully conveys Oswald’s complexity through his expressions, voice, and body language, challenging viewers’ perceptions. The result? You may find yourself empathizing with, or even rooting for, this cold-blooded criminal.
The tagline of the show, “The city will be his,” promises an epic journey for Oswald Cobblepot. After watching the first episode, you’ll be eager to return for more, just to see how this underdog takes control of Gotham’s crime-ridden streets.
Why The Penguin is a must-watch
Ultimately, The Penguin offers a fresh take on a classic Batman villain, transforming him from a grotesque mobster into a complex antihero. The show’s mix of stellar performances, particularly from Farrell and Milioti, combined with its dark, immersive atmosphere, makes it a standout in an already crowded TV landscape. It’s not just a crime drama; it’s a story about survival, ambition, and the lengths one will go to for power.
With Oswald’s cunning strategies and Sofia Falcone’s unpredictable wrath, the series promises intense drama that will keep viewers on the edge of their seats. If the first episode is any indication, The Penguin is set to be one of the standout series of the year.
Fact-checking key details:
- The Penguin is a spin-off of The Batman (2022) and continues the story one week after the movie’s events.
- Colin Farrell, heavily transformed through prosthetics, reprises his role as Oswald Cobblepot.
- The show pays homage to iconic mobster series like The Sopranos, while giving the character of The Penguin a new backstory from the original comics.
- Sofia Falcone, played by Cristin Milioti, is a central antagonist in the series, driving much of the tension in the early episodes.
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