The new HBO show The Penguin, a spin-off of Matt Reeves' The Batman (2022), is an exciting dive into the criminal underworld of Gotham City. Helmed by Colin Farrell as the titular character Oswald Cobblepot, aka The Penguin, this series expands on the gritty, noirish tone set by the film and offers fans a fresh yet familiar experience in the Batman universe. Unlike most superhero-related content, The Penguin focuses on the darker, more human elements of Gotham's criminals, moving away from the caped crusader to spotlight 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 climb the ranks, determined to assert control over the city's crime syndicates. His transformation from an underboss to a major crime lord is the primary focus, which gives The Penguin a mafia-drama vibe more akin to The Sopranos than a traditional superhero show.
The show smartly avoids relying too heavily on Batman's shadow, allowing Penguin to truly shine as a lead. 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 fresh for the genre and adds depth to the Gotham crime world without focusing too much on superhero spectacle.
Colin Farrell's Performance
Colin Farrell's portrayal of Penguin is nothing short of remarkable. 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. The Penguin is no longer just a caricature of a deformed, umbrella-wielding villain; instead, he's depicted as a ruthless, calculated player in Gotham's criminal hierarchy, making him both terrifying and strangely sympathetic.
Farrell brings layers to the character, moving beyond the stereotypical villain portrayal. His Oswald Cobblepot is shrewd, manipulative, and ready to break bones, yet he's also a man driven by a deep-rooted inferiority complex and desire for respect. Watching him navigate the treacherous waters of Gotham's crime world is compelling and provides a grounded approach to the character, making The Penguin a fascinating character study.
Gritty Atmosphere and Tone
In terms of atmosphere, The Penguin maintains the same gritty and rainy aesthetic that fans loved in The Batman. The dark, crime-ridden streets of Gotham are beautifully shot, with an emphasis on realism over comic book extravagance. The show's tone is grim, violent, and loaded with tension, reminiscent of neo-noir crime thrillers. Every scene is soaked in the corruption and decay of Gotham, and it feels as if 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 dingy clubs, run-down alleys, and opulent crime lord mansions all add to the immersive feel of the show. The cinematography, with its moody lighting and cold color palette, enhances the show's foreboding atmosphere, making Gotham feel like a character in its own right-alive, pulsating, and full of menace.
Supporting Cast and World-Building
While Farrell steals the show, the supporting cast also deserves recognition. Characters like Sofia Falcone and Salvatore Maroni (portrayed by Cristin Milioti and Clancy Brown, respectively) add layers to the Gotham crime landscape, each vying for power in the post-Falcone world. Their interactions with Penguin help expand the world and keep the narrative engaging.
Moreover, the show fleshes out the criminal network of Gotham in a way that hasn't been fully explored in previous Batman films or shows. By focusing on the mob world and its intricate dynamics, The Penguin gives fans a new look at Gotham's power structures without constantly resorting to capes and gadgets.
