Phil Roberts 
The Penguin is a glorious exploration of Gotham’s organized crime that’s dark, gritty, intense, and surprisingly humorous. Colin Farrell is a tour de force!
The Penguin is one of the most compelling DC villains. Whether it’s the classic animated version or Burgess Meredith’s iconic portrayal from Batman ’66, Oswald Cobblepot is as criminal as they come. Colin Farrell’s portrayal in Matt Reeves’ The Batman offered a fresh perspective and brought new depth to the character. However, with limited screen time, we barely scratched the surface of this imaginative new character portrayal. Thankfully, DC Studios has us covered. This Friday, Oz Cobb, also known as The Penguin, is making a comeback with his very own series. But is this fresh take on Gotham’s crime syndicates worth investing time in? Or should Oz Cobb remain behind the bar at the Iceberg Lounge?
Fear not, DC fans, because The Penguin is a glorious exploration of Gotham’s organized crime that’s dark, gritty, intense, and surprisingly humorous. Colin Farrell is a tour de force in this series and gets to add bold new layers to his character. The result is a gripping, edge-of-your-seat experience that delivers on all fronts. If this is a sign of things to come, then the DC Universe has a bright future, as long as you don’t cross The Penguin!
REVIEW
Creating a series centered around one of Gotham’s most infamous villains is risky. Todd Phillips revolutionized the landscape with his film adaptation of The Joker, so there’s ample opportunity to explore new, daring narratives. The Penguin takes full advantage of this creative freedom to delve into Gotham City like never before, inviting the audience on an immersive journey. Consequently, viewers are treated to a deep exploration of some of Gotham’s most notorious crime families, grappling with the aftermath of Carmine Falcone’s demise. The mobster met a brutal end in the climax of The Batman, leading to a restructuring of his criminal empire to ensure its continued profitability. This series picks up amidst the chaos.
Large swathes of Gotham City are flooded following The Riddler’s actions, and Oswald Cobb is contemplating his place in the newly reshaped landscape. Having seen the entire series, I am pleased to say that not a single moment of this show is wasted. The series is a dark, gritty, and engaging character study of a DC legacy villain with new strings to his bow, and they are as vicious as they are enjoyable.
VILLAINS REIGN
In our previous encounter with Oz, he held the position of a mid-level lieutenant under Falcone. Now, with Gotham in a vulnerable state, Oz is moving to seize control. However, his path is obstructed by Falcone’s children, Alberto (Michael Zegen) and Sofia (Cristin Milioti), along with the enduringly formidable Salvatore Maroni (Clancy Brown). Oz also faces an uphill battle with the involvement of the Triads and various street gangs, but he is always one step ahead.
Oz recruits Victor Aguilar (Rhenzy Feliz), a street-smart kid who becomes his protege in pursuing power to aid his ambitions. In return, Oz offers insight into how to survive on the streets of Gotham. The showrunners’ bold choice works brilliantly here, and the show is all the richer for it. Of course, The Dark Knight casts a long shadow over the city, and his presence is never far from the narrative, but Batman is not featured in this series. But that is one of its biggest strengths.
To go into further detail about the series’ plot would do you a disservice. The show deserves to be experienced in all its glory; it’s that good. But the compelling narrative grabs you from the opening moments and never lets go. The show is set up as one expansive story that plays out like a big-screen adventure over eight glorious hours.
COLIN FARRELL
Although his screen time in The Batman was limited, Colin Farrell is rewarded with the time to entirely flesh out his version of the character. I was initially apprehensive of immersing myself in another villain series that doesn’t feature the Dark Knight. So many fall by the wayside and feel like cheap side stories, but The Penguin bucks the trend and legitimizes its existence within minutes. This series isn’t a token sidestep away from the main story. Instead, the show leans heavily into the atmosphere of Matt Reeves’ big screen predecessor and uses the sandbox to craft a unique story.
Farrell leads the charge with renewed energy and goes beyond the prosthetic suit to deliver a career-best performance. With Oswald Cobb, he has found a legacy character that will define his career. Farrell recently expressed his dislike for wearing the prosthetic suit, but you wouldn’t know it from his performance. His energy shines through in every scene, making his portrayal incredibly convincing. The gritty style brings a necessary realism to the story, especially when Oz vies for power. Typically, stories about villains prompt some level of sympathy, but that’s not the case here. Oz’s ruthless pursuit of dominance leaves no room for doubt – he’s no hero. The Penguin is unequivocally a villain.
SOPHIA FALCONE
Sophia Falcone’s return to Gotham presents a fresh take on the villain narrative. Cristin Milioti’s performance holds its own against Colin Farrell’s sheer viciousness. Her backstory rivals Oz’s in significance, and the dynamic between the two brings moments of sheer brilliance. Their interaction unfolds like a chess match, each countering the other’s moves to a standstill. It’s truly a joy to behold. Sophia is more than just a token nemesis; she is given a legitimate origin story through a series of flashbacks that add depth to her character. Mark Strong’s portrayal of a younger Carmine Falcone adds gravitas to the performance and provides insight into the Falcone family’s depravity. The subplot proves to be vital to her story arc.
GOTHAM CITY
The showrunners faced the challenge of capturing Gotham City’s atmosphere as depicted in Matt Reeves’s film. Instead of simply replicating the film’s vibe, the series delves deeper into the city’s underbelly while expanding on the established foundations. A key focus is the drug called drops. While the film briefly alludes to the drug being used by residents of Oz’s Iceberg Lounge, the series puts the drug trade at the forefront. It plays a pivotal role in Oz’s ascent to power.
The series has a much more mature tone compared to the film. While the film was limited by a PG-13 rating, the series is free from those constraints and benefits from its newfound freedom. The series doesn’t hold back, which makes its tone even better. In the past, I’ve criticized DC properties for aiming for a more mature feel, but previous attempts felt forced and unnatural. However, The Penguin deserves its mature tone. The show is filled with profanity, violence, and bloodshed, but it’s not excessive or added for the sake of it. Instead, the show incorporates these elements to make the reality of a city overrun by criminals more believable. The directors don’t quite go as visually dark as Matt Reeves, but they capture his tone effectively, allowing The Penguin to fit right in with the cinematic style of The Batman.
THE BATMAN
The series’ storyline is captivating and sets the stage for Reeves’ The Batman II. The upcoming movie will benefit from the groundwork laid by the show. Every moment in the series serves a purpose, and there are scenes towards the end of the season that will significantly impact the next big-screen adventure. These scenes allow us to understand Oz and his motivations, only for him to commit such terrible acts that he becomes known as one of Gotham’s most infamous criminals.
VERDICT
The Penguin is hands down the best TV series from Marvel or DC. Its gritty and compelling storyline delves into the history of DC’s criminal families, and the cast’s outstanding performances set it apart. This series has set a new standard for comic book adaptations. Anything attempting to match its brilliance will be compared to it. Colin Farrell’s performance demands attention and will earn him numerous award nominations, and rightfully so. He delivers an exceptional performance, putting him in the same league as his predecessors, Meredith and DeVito. This isn’t a challenge to their iconic performances; it’s a fresh interpretation on par with their masterpieces.
I rarely consider a series a masterpiece, but THE PENGUIN undeniably earns that title. It’s a rare gem that sets a new standard for all comic book properties and will keep us hooked for eight thrilling weeks. So, head back to Gotham City, light the Bat Signal, and settle in for a true character study of one of the city’s most notorious villains. You’ll love him, loathe him, and fear him…but you damn well better respect him.
The Penguin will be available from Friday, 20 September, on Sky and NOW.
Meet Phil Roberts! He’s the dedicated owner, daily content manager, and editor-in-chief of The Future of the Force. Phil is a budding novelist who turned his passion toward writing about the franchises he loves back in 2016. He’s a huge fan of all things Star Wars, Batman, DC, Marvel, Star Trek, Indiana Jones, Ghostbusters, King Kong, and the Ray Harryhausen movies. Phil is a BFI-accredited journalist and a distinguished member of the Film Critics Association UK.
If he’s not catching a movie at the cinema, you can bet he’s streaming something just as awesome!
