26/27

The DC Studios logo is placed in a rainy Gotham alley

Synopsis

Following the events of The Batman (2022), Oz Cobb, aka The Penguin, attempts to take over Gotham's criminal underworld. With the exception of the Bat-Signal in the final scene of the season finale, we've never had a cameo from Robert Pattinson in "The Penguin." In this short video, IMDb attempts to answer: Where the hell was Batman? Colin Farrell fought to have his version of The Penguin smoke tobacco in The Batman (2022), but was unsuccessful. In his own series, however, the character is portrayed as an occasional tobacco user, with a preference for cigars. An umbrella falls and the logo changes to the Warner Bros.

Featured on The Graham Norton Show: Lady Gaga/Demi Moore/Colin Farrell/Richard Ayoade/Jack Savoretti (2024)

logo. HBO’s new series The Penguin, a spin-off of Matt Reeves’ The Batman (2022), is a thrilling dive into Gotham City’s criminal underworld. Directed by Colin Farrell as the titular character Oswald Cobblepot, aka The Penguin, the series expands on the dark and gritty tone set by the film and offers fans a new, yet familiar, experience in the Batman universe. Unlike most superhero-related content, The Penguin focuses on the darker, more human elements of Gotham’s criminal underworld, moving away from the caped crusader to spotlight the rise of one of Gotham’s most infamous foes: the notorious Batman. Plot Set immediately after the events of The Batman, the series explores The Penguin’s quest to fill the power vacuum left in Gotham’s criminal empire.

Colin Farrell’s performance Colin Farrell’s portrayal of the Penguin is simply remarkable

With Carmine Falcone dead and Gotham’s infrastructure in chaos, The Penguin seizes the opportunity to rise through the ranks, determined to assert his control over the city’s crime syndicates. His transformation from underboss to crime boss is the main focus, giving The Penguin a mob drama feel more akin to The Sopranos than a traditional superhero series. The series smartly avoids leaning too heavily into Batman’s shadow, allowing the Penguin to truly shine as the main character. 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 Gotham’s criminal underworld without focusing too much on the superhero spectacle.

Farrell brings layers to the character, going beyond the stereotypical villain portrayal

Physically unrecognizable in his prosthetic makeup, Farrell fully embodies the character with a nuanced performance that balances the brutality of a mob boss with the insecurities and ambitions that drive him. The Penguin is no longer just a caricature of a deformed, umbrella-wielding villain; Instead, he’s portrayed as a ruthless, calculating figure in Gotham’s criminal hierarchy, which makes him both terrifying and oddly likable. His Oswald Cobblepot is cunning, manipulative, and willing to break bones, but he’s also a man driven by a deep inferiority complex and a desire for respect. Watching him navigate the dangerous waters of Gotham’s criminal underworld is engaging and offers a character-driven approach, making The Penguin a fascinating character study. A Raw Atmosphere and Tone In terms of atmosphere, The Penguin maintains the same gritty, gritty aesthetic that fans loved about The Batman.

The tone of the series is dark, violent, and tense, reminiscent of neo-noir crime thrillers

The dark, crime-ridden streets of Gotham are beautifully shot, with an emphasis on realism over comic-book flamboyance. Every scene is steeped in Gotham's corruption and decay, and it feels like danger lurks in every shadow. The production design is top-notch, with sets that feel like a natural extension of Keanu Reeves' Gotham City.