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The DC Studios logo is set in a rainy Gotham alley
Plot
Following the events of The Batman (2022), Oz Cobb, a.k.a. The Penguin, stages a play to take over the reins of the crime world in Gotham. From melting makeup to filming in freezing temperatures, Colin Farrell and Cristin Milioti talk about how they came up with their characters during production of The Penguin. Colin Farrell fought hard to have his version of The Penguin smoke tobacco in The Batman (2022), but was unsuccessful. For his own series, however, the character is portrayed as a casual tobacco user with a penchant for cigars.
An umbrella falls and the logo changes to the Warner Bros
logo. Featured in Graham Norton likes: Lady Gaga/Demi Moore/Colin Farrell/Richard Ayoade/Jack Savoretti (2024). The new HBO show “The Penguin,” a spin-off of Matt Reeves’ theatrical film, is part of the “The Penguin” series. “The Batman” (2022) is a thrilling dive into the criminal underworld of Gotham City. Led by Colin Farrell as the title character Oswald Cobblepot, aka The Penguin, this series builds on the film’s gritty, noirish tone and offers fans a fresh yet familiar experience in the Batman universe.
The series cleverly avoids relying too heavily on Batman’s shadow to allow Penguin to really shine as the lead
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 enemies. Set immediately after the events of “The Batman,” the series explores the Penguin’s journey to fill the power vacuum created in Gotham’s criminal empire. With Carmine Falcone dead and Gotham’s infrastructure in chaos, Penguin seizes the chance to rise up the ranks, determined to gain control of the city’s crime syndicates. His transformation from underboss to major crime boss takes center stage, giving “The Penguin” a mafia drama vibe more reminiscent of “The Sopranos” than a traditional superhero series. Without the overpowering presence of Gotham’s protector, a new and interesting dynamic emerges, with Oswald free to operate in a morally ambiguous space.
Farrell brings multiple layers to the character, going beyond the stereotypical villain portrayal
This narrative shift feels fresh for the genre, adding depth to Gotham’s crime world without focusing too much on superhero spectacle. Colin Farrell’s Performance Colin Farrell’s portrayal of the Penguin is nothing short of remarkable. Physically unrecognizable in his prosthetics, Farrell embodies 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 is portrayed as a ruthless, calculated player in Gotham’s criminal hierarchy, making him both terrifying and oddly sympathetic. His Oswald Cobblepot is smart, manipulative, and ready to break bones, yet he is also a man driven by a deep-rooted inferiority complex and a desire for respect.
Gotham City’s dingy clubs, seedy alleys, and opulent criminal mansions add to the immersive feel of the show
Watching him navigate the treacherous waters of Gotham’s crime world is engaging and offers a grounded approach to the character, making “The Penguin” a fascinating character study.Gloomy Atmosphere and ToneIn 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 filmed, with an emphasis on realism rather than comic book extravagance.The tone of the show is gritty, violent, and full of tension, reminiscent of neo-noir crime thrillers. Every scene is steeped in the corruption and decay of Gotham, and it feels like danger lurks in every shadow.