Max’s The Penguin is an exquisitely dark and gritty exploration of Gotham’s underbelly, where betrayal, conspiracy, and manipulation reign supreme. With no Batman in sight, this eight-episode series captivates by focusing on the morally complex character of Oswald “Oz” Cobblepot, portrayed masterfully by Colin Farrell. The series centers on his rise to power in the chaotic vacuum left after Carmine Falcone’s assassination.
Showrunner Lauren LeFranc skillfully brings to life the brutal world of Gotham, weaving a tale that is both terrifying and thrilling. From power plays to chilling confrontations, The Penguin keeps you glued to the screen as you witness the intricate machinations and twisted alliances that shape the fate of Gotham’s criminal underworld. With every episode, the show masterfully balances tension, raw brutality, and surprisingly, moments of pitch-black humor that punctuate its deeply unnerving narrative.
The Family That Drives the Show
The cast of The Penguin delivers some of the most powerful performances on television. Colin Farrell is the undisputed star of the series, disappearing completely into the role of Oz, both physically and emotionally. Farrell is brilliant in his ability to portray a man whose ambition burns under layers of physical transformation. Despite his monstrous look, Farrell infuses the character with a charisma that makes Oz both terrifying and oddly charming. You can’t help but root for him, even as you watch his moral descent.
Equally impressive is Cristin Milioti, who shines as Sofia Falcone. She brings a steely resolve and vulnerability to the role, making her every scene electric. Sofia’s journey from a position of power to someone who is pushed to her limits is heart-wrenching and mesmerizing to watch. Milioti steals every scene she’s in, balancing cold ambition with a tragic sense of loss as her world unravels around her.
Rhenzy Feliz also stands out as Victor Aguilar, whose character development shows how far desperation and the drive to survive can push someone into the shadows. Feliz makes you feel every emotional struggle Victor endures as he grapples with the dark path Oz leads him down. His morally gray arc is both shocking and disturbingly relatable.
Rich Character Chemistry
The magic of The Penguin doesn’t just lie in the individual performances but in the chemistry between its lead characters. Oz and Sofia’s dynamic is a palpable blend of tension, mutual admiration, and underlying deceit. Their relationship crackles with mistrust and ambition, but there’s a deep understanding of each other’s motivations, creating an enthralling, dangerous partnership.
On the other side of the spectrum, the interactions between Victor and Oz offer a fascinating exploration of mentor-mentee relationships in a world where morality is blurred. Oz’s influence over Victor grows stronger throughout the series, but you never quite know when this volatile connection will explode, making each of their exchanges nerve-wracking.
Even beyond these central relationships, The Penguin boasts a web of complex character interactions that feel authentic and multilayered. Whether it’s a brief conversation between mobsters or an extended confrontation, every scene contributes to the larger story, and it’s in these moments that the show truly shines.
Chaos and Heart: The Emotional Core of The Penguin
For all its crime and brutality, The Penguin is brimming with heart. Amidst the chaos and violent rise to power, the series is anchored by moments of vulnerability and tragedy. Oz’s complicated relationship with his mother, Francis (Deirdre O’Connell), serves as the emotional crux of his character. Their scenes together reveal a softer side to the hardened criminal, grounding the series in a deeply human exploration of power and legacy.
At its core, The Penguin is about survival—both in the cutthroat world of Gotham’s criminal elite and in the emotional sense, as the characters grapple with their desires, fears, and the consequences of their choices. The series excels at showing how these human emotions drive the grander, more violent actions we see on screen, creating a world that feels real and grounded despite its comic book origins.
A Story That Leaves You Wanting More
Despite its perfectly executed eight episodes, The Penguin leaves you hungry for more. The series could easily stretch into a longer season, allowing for even deeper exploration of its rich world and characters. But even with its concise format, the show doesn’t feel rushed or incomplete. Every moment feels deliberate, every scene charged with purpose, making for a deeply satisfying narrative arc.
The conclusion of the season feels inevitable yet earned, offering a perfect balance between resolution and open-ended questions. The choices the characters make, especially Oz, lead to a finale that is sure to divide audiences, but no matter where you fall, you can’t deny the brilliance of how it’s all put together. It’s a testament to LeFranc’s writing and direction that the ending feels both shocking and necessary.
Performances Elevated by Unmatched Production Design
The dark, gritty atmosphere of Gotham is brought to life with breathtaking production design. The show’s sets, costumes, and makeup are nothing short of spectacular. From the rain-soaked alleys to the opulent yet decaying interiors of Gotham’s crime world, every location feels lived-in and textured, drawing you further into the story.
Special mention must be made of the costume and makeup teams. Colin Farrell’s transformation into Oz is astounding. The prosthetics are so seamless that you quickly forget you’re watching Farrell beneath layers of makeup and instead see only Oz—an ugly, ruthless, yet oddly magnetic character. The attention to detail in every character’s appearance reflects their journey and status, adding another layer of depth to the narrative.
A Batman Tale Without Batman
The Penguin masterfully proves that Gotham’s villains are just as captivating as its caped crusader. Lauren LeFranc and her team have crafted a series that doesn’t need Batman to thrive. In fact, by focusing on the intricate, morally complex world of Gotham’s criminal underworld, The Penguin carves out its own space in the broader Batman universe.
LeFranc understands the allure of Gotham’s rogues’ gallery and gives them the space to breathe and develop in ways we haven’t seen before on screen. She wisely uses Oz’s rise to power as the lens through which we see the larger dynamics of Gotham play out, and in doing so, she elevates the character into one of the most interesting and fully realized villains in the Batman mythos.
The Flight of the Flightless Bird
The Penguin stands as a shining example of what a comic book adaptation can be when it focuses on characters, atmosphere, and world-building. It’s a show that dives deep into the criminal heart of Gotham, offering a dark, thrilling, and emotionally charged ride that will have fans of the Batman universe hooked from start to finish. Colin Farrell’s Penguin is a masterclass in acting, and the entire supporting cast rises to meet his level, making this a must-watch for anyone craving more from Gotham’s darker side.
For being a truly spectacular gangster story, for showcasing humanity in the inhumane, for being the epitome a story that explores the world of comic books, I give The Penguin
10/10
The Penguin premieres on September 19, 2024, exclusively no Max.
About The Penguin
Premiere Date: September 19 2024
Episodes: 8 episodes x 1 hour
Executive Producer / Showrunner: Lauren LeFranc
Directors: Craig Zobel (episodes 1-3)
Executive Producers: Matt Reeves, Dylan Clark, Colin Farrell, Lauren LeFranc, Craig Zobel, Bill Carraro, Daniel Pipski
Production: DC Studios, 6th & Idaho Productions, and Dylan Clark Productions in association with Warner Bros. Television
Network/Platform: Max
Cast: Colin Farrell, Cristin Milioti, Rhenzy Feliz, Michael Kelly, Shohreh Aghdashloo, Deirdre O’Connell, Clancy Brown, and Michael Zegen.
About: Starring Colin Farrell as The Penguin, the eight-episode DC Studios drama series continues The Batman epic crime saga that filmmaker Matt Reeves began with Warner Bros. Pictures’ global blockbuster The Batman and centers on the character played by Farrell in the film.
How do you feel about Gotham’s underworld stories? Do you think The Penguin can stand tall without Batman, or do you feel the Dark Knight’s absence? Share your thoughts and theories with us on social media!
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