In 2022 I went to see The Batman in theater with zero expectations, and left being blown away by Matt Reeves grounded take on the Caped Crusader. He took the Batman back to his detective roots and crafted a gritty, Neor mystery, thriller that is arguably (yes a very BIG “arguably”) the best Batman film ever made.
HBO’s The Penguin is a spin-off of Matt Reeves The Batman and begins exactly where the 2022 film ended: Gotham was flooded, Falcone is dead and power is up for grabs. Oz Cobb (Oswald Cobblepot) aka The Penguin wants his piece of the Gotham pie and will do whatever he needs to get what he feels he deserves.
A lil’ caveat before we begin: I am writing this with the show only halfway through its eight episode season. But I wanted to write about it because: A, it fits in with this months contest theme, and 2, because I’m already loving the show. The Penguin stands out as one of the most compelling television series of the year, combining gritty crime drama with the rich lore of Gotham City. Also here’s a big ol’ SPOILER WARNING before we take a big Batwing-sized deep dive into what has made this show truly awesome (so far).
The Performances Are Award Worthy
Colin Farrell’s exceptional portrayal of Oswald Cobblepot elevates the character beyond the usual comic book archetype. Gone is the top hat, long cigarette and whatever that green goop dripping from Danny DeVito’s mouth was in Batman Returns. Farrell’s nuanced performance brings depth, menace, and complexity to the role, showcasing a villain who is both brutal and oddly sympathetic. His performance has been described as a career-defining one, highlighting his ability to balance the grotesque and the grounded aspects of the Penguin’s personality. Farrell’s transformation from low-level thug to a calculating crime lord mirrors classic mafia characters like Michael Corleone and Tony Soprano. He captives every frame when he’s on screen, plus the make-up work of Michael Marino causes Farrell to completely disappear into the incredibly detailed appliances. Even up close it looks real, complete with every little imperfection and how it moves like real skin.
And then there’s the breakout performance of Cristin Milioti as Sophie Falcone, an actress who gets better with every episode. It feels like they intentionally set her up at first as almost a parody of Italian mafia women, but we soon see her cool and calculated manor as she tries to wrestle control of the family from the claws of her newly appointed uncle, Luca Falcone. Her portrayal of Sofia Falcone adds another layer of complexity. As a formidable rival with her own dark history, Sofia’s interactions with Oz create a fascinating dynamic that drives much of the show’s tension. We learn by episode four that her own father put her in Arkham Asylum and convicted of his murders of seven women (including her mother) via hanging. Her journey from a fragile, recently released from Arkham, scared little girl to potential mafia queen is as compelling to watch as Oz’s rise amongst the ranks. Her fractured relationship with Oz is the backbone of the entire series, she really wants to trust him but he keeps letting her down, much to the chagrin of me and the audience as we’re all rooting for these characters to get what they want.
A Grounded Crime Drama Filled With Atmospheric, Unfiltered Content
While set in the Batman universe, The Penguin breaks away from the stale superhero formula, focusing instead on street-level crime in Gotham. The series emphasizes realistic stakes, with cutthroat power struggles and brutal violence that feel more like The Sopranos or The Godfather than a typical comic book show. Showrunner Lauren LeFranc has crafted a complex narrative that explores ambition, loyalty, and survival in a city teetering on the brink.
What makes The Penguin stand out is its character-driven approach. Oswald is portrayed not just as a villain, but as a deeply flawed individual shaped by his environment. His strained relationship with his mother and the emotional baggage he carries from his youth are explored in depth, giving viewers a rich understanding of his motivations. This emphasis on character development allows the show to move beyond simple hero-villain dynamics, making it a gripping character study. It’s also interesting to note that this series was in development before The Batman released in 2022, so the decision to create a spin-off wasn’t based on Colin Farrell’s incredible performance. But I’m willing to bet they exhaled a huge sigh of relief after seeing how much scenery he chewed up in his small amount of screen time.
The Penguin fully embraces HBO’s freedom to explore mature themes. The series is unapologetically violent and profane, but this isn’t just for shock value—it serves to underline the brutal reality of Gotham’s criminal underworld. The violence is visceral and fitting for a world where survival often depends on bloodshed. The Penguin retains the dark, brooding atmosphere that defined The Batman, with its moody, noir-inspired aesthetic. Directors like Craig Zobel and Helen Shaver channel Matt Reeves’ tone, creating a world that feels oppressive yet captivating. The show’s cinematography, while not as expansive as the film, manages to maintain the same gritty and grimy feel of Gotham’s underbelly, immersing viewers into its dangerous streets.
The Penguin Is Not Just Anther Supervillain Origin Story
Although The Penguin can be seen as an origin story for one of Batman’s most iconic foes, it never feels constrained by comic book conventions. Instead, the show dives into larger themes of power, identity, and the consequences of violence. It also hints at how Cobblepot will factor into the future of the Batman franchise, offering potentially tantalizing connections to The Batman Part II. Yet, it stands firmly on its own as a gripping crime saga, not relying on the classic hero tropes to craft a powerful story.
From the opening of episode one, The Penguin has emerged as a must-watch series for both comic book fans and lovers of crime dramas. It’s one of the best shows of 2024 and I hope it gets the awards recognition it deserves with powerhouse performances from Colin Farrell and Cristi Milioti, a richly textured world, and unflinching violence, the show delivers a mature, character-driven narrative. The Penguin is a testament to how comic book adaptations can evolve into something beyond the typical action-packed spectacles: they can be nuanced, deeply human dramas set against grounded backdrops.
Thanks for reading.
Keep writing,
Tim
