Spin-off TV series of superhero movies raise eyebrows nowadays, as a decline in quality versus the big screen is often a given. Fortunately, there’s no need for any scepticism when it comes to The Penguin, which takes the gritty darkness from Matt Reeves’s The Batman and dials it up to eleven.
Oswald Cobb (not Cobblepot, as per the source material) mainly served as comic relief in the original movie and was one of the participants in the iconic Batmobile chase scene. His show retains those hilarious moments but also delves into his thirst for power in Gotham, and the shocking lengths he’ll go to achieve his desires.
The series is set in the aftermath of The Riddler’s actions, which are felt throughout the city. Predictably, the poorest neighbourhoods are reaping the worst consequences. Crime is catapulted to an all-time high, with many blaming those at the top for their suffering. It’s this resentment that the Penguin latches onto, using it to leverage his climb to the top.
Macall Polay/HBO
Macall Polay/HBO
Macall Polay/HBO
Colin Farrell’s performance as Oswald is a masterclass, combining delightful moments with the most despicable. Throughout the show, he commits acts that are truly horrendous… but you’ll find yourself laughing just seconds later thanks to his quick wit.
This strange charm, and his enthusiasm for the working class, lets him get away with both figurative and literal murder. He’s a complete loose cannon, and you never know how he might react to insults or bad news – sometimes laughing it off, other times pulling out his gun.
Audiences will certainly be split on when (or perhaps even if) they stop rooting for Oz, in a similar way to the fan response to Walter White during Breaking Bad.
Colin Farrell’s performance as Oswald is a masterclass
There are chinks in his mob boss persona, particularly in the form of his mother, Francis Cobb, played by Deirdre O’Connell. Like Farrell, the actress portrays extremely erratic behaviour but also plays a heartbreakingly realistic depiction of ageing illnesses – a factor that makes her son fiercely protective and desperate to do right by her.
Oz’s humanity is also tested by Victor Aguilar, played by Rhenzy Feliz. His backstory is a twisted echo of the origins of Batman’s sidekick, Jason Todd’s Robin, when he’s caught by the mobster attempting to steal hubcaps – catapulting his life into the underbelly of crime.
He leans on the Penguin as a mentor and slowly becomes poisoned by his corruption across the eight-episode arc. This role will almost certainly open doors for the 26-year-old actor from the Bronx.
Macall Polay/HBO
Macall Polay/HBO
Macall Polay/HBO
But the performer who truly goes toe-to-toe with Farrell is Cristin Milioti, the actress playing Sofia Falcone. She is the daughter of Carmine, the former head of a powerful crime family who met his end at the barrel of a gun in The Batman.
Sofia’s chilling presence is felt every time she enters the room, commanding attention without the need for a booming voice to announce her presence – her large, spooky eyes can convey an incredible amount of emotion, while her attention to detail and the things left unsaid make her a formidable adversary in The Penguin.
As in the comics, she is also known as the Hangman, although this series puts a complex and nuanced twist on the origins of that title, drawing heavily on the horror genre to delve into her backstory. Milioti plays with accents in her role, showing how Sofia’s New York-Italian twang is downplayed when she’s networking with the public.
She, and the many other rivals against Oz, consistently cause problems. As in Netflix’s Ozark, once one issue is solved, four more are created in the process. No episode feels like a drag, with eight being the perfect amount to tell the tale.
Macall Polay/HBO
Macall Polay/HBO
Macall Polay/HBO
At no point were the special effects a downgrade from the blockbuster. HBO pulled out all the stops, with a raft of explosions, gun fights and more. That’s not even mentioning the incredible prosthetics on Colin Farrell, which look so realistic that I often forgot the Irish actor underneath.
Props must be given to Mike Marino, Mike Fontaine and the rest of the make-up team for their groundbreaking work – and applause to Farrell for seemingly not letting the costume hinder his movements or actions.
As in Netflix’s Ozark, once one issue is solved, four more are created in the process
Many criticisms of The Batman came from the film sticking to a PG-13/15 rating, maximising its audience potential. If you were one of those fans hoping for more swearing and violence, then rest assured that the itch will be scratched with this new series – at times I watched from behind a pillow.
The Penguin also doesn’t rely on huge cameos to cause a ruckus online. However, narratively I was left questioning why Bruce Wayne was not poking his nose into the many bloody events that were heavily publicised in Gotham – but perhaps that’s a question that will be answered in the Batman sequel.
The Penguin stands up with the likes of Netflix’s Daredevil when it comes to quality, and its compelling story has guaranteed that I’ll be seated for the return of Battinson.
The Penguin releases on HBO and Max in the United States on Thursday 19 September 2024, and on Sky and Now in the United Kingdom on Friday 20 September 2024. New episodes will drop weekly.
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