The Penguin
Colin Farrell as Oswald 'Oz' Cobb in The Penguin
The Penguin is back, and Gotham City has never been grittier. With HBO’s latest series, fans of The Batman are treated to a spin-off that plummets viewers back into the city’s seedy underbelly, just hours after the events of Matt Reeves’ film. This time, the spotlight falls squarely on the iconic villain Oswald 'Oz' Cobb, aka The Penguin, & his rise in Gotham’s fractured criminal landscape. While it delivers some knockout performances & gripping moments, there are a few bumps along the way.
Dark Grit Meets Comic Book Flamboyance
Like its big-screen predecessor, The Penguin embraces a raw, unforgiving tone. The series plunges deep into the heart of Gotham’s underworld, presenting a city where life is cheap, crime is king, & morality is a luxury few can afford. With its moody atmosphere & violent edge, it taps into the same vein as HBO's legendary crime dramas, The Sopranos & The Wire. But there’s a catch - it doesn’t lose sight of its comic book roots.
In contrast to the brooding gloom, Oswald’s character brings a splash of eccentricity to the table. Played by a virtually unrecognisable Colin Farrell, Oz's signature purple (or as he proudly calls it, "plum") flair is impossible to miss. From his bold plum suit to his extravagant plum Maserati, this quirky twist keeps him tethered to his comic origins while navigating a dark, realistic world. It’s a fascinating balance that works well on screen, adding a layer of unpredictable charm to his menacing persona.
Cristin Milioti as Sofia Falcone in The Penguin
A Visual Feast Amidst the Chaos
Much like Matt Reeves' stunning cinematic achievement in The Batman, The Penguin does not disappoint when it comes to visual storytelling. The series is a masterclass in using lighting, shadow, & framing to emphasise Gotham’s haunting beauty. Every frame feels meticulously crafted, offering viewers a feast for the eyes even as the characters descend into chaos.
The cinematography captures Gotham’s iconic, decaying skyline with an artistry that mirrors the grim tone of the story. From the rain-soaked streets to the dimly lit interiors of mob hideouts, Gotham City itself becomes a character, oozing atmosphere & tension. There’s a gothic beauty to the darkness, making the bleakness of Gotham both immersive & strangely alluring. Fans of The Batman will feel right at home in this visually rich world, where every shadow & flicker of light adds depth to the unfolding drama.
Stellar Performances Elevate the Chaos
While Farrell's transformation as The Penguin is once again top-notch, it is Cristin Milioti’s portrayal of Sofia Falcone that steals the show. Sofia is introduced as a psychotic mob boss, & Milioti plays her with a bone-chilling intensity. Her ruthlessness & complex relationship with Oz brings an extra edge to the series. This dynamic between the two central characters pushes the series into deeper, more disturbing territory, making it hard to look away
Milioti & Farrell together craft an unsettling but compelling power struggle that feels fresh yet loyal to the chaotic, larger-than-life nature of Gotham’s criminal empire. Fans of the source material will appreciate how the show taps into its comic origins without sacrificing the hard-hitting grit of modern crime drama.
A Slow Burn That Eventually Ignites
Despite its many strengths, The Penguin suffers from some pacing issues. Having previewed five of the eight episodes, the early stages of the season feel sluggish. The first few episodes are bogged down with exposition, as the series establishes new characters & complex criminal alliances. While it’s understandable given the depth of Gotham’s world, it can test the patience of viewers expecting non-stop action from the start.
But if you stick with it, the payoff is worth it. Once the series gains momentum, the betrayal, violence, & deception unfold at full throttle. For fans of The Batman, the slow build only deepens the richness of the lore, allowing the show to rival some of the best crime dramas in recent memory. By the time the story hits its stride, The Penguin transforms into a must-watch, living up to HBO’s legacy of delivering quality mobster sagas.
The Penguin is now streaming weekly on Binge
Support Pario Magazine
$2.50 / month
Early Access
subscribe
