The Penguin: Gotham’s Grittiest villain Takes Flight
Does it live up to the hype?
Matt Reeves' The Batman stunned audiences with its grounded, noir-inspired take on Gotham City, echoing the beloved Batman: The Animated Series while embracing a grittier live-action aesthetic. Reeves’ vision felt like lightning in a bottle—a rare feat of getting every element just right. That’s why fans were both excited and apprehensive about The Penguin, HBO’s spin-off with a unique take on the classic DC villain. Could it maintain the high bar set by The Batman?
The answer, unequivocally, is yes.
Spoilers below
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Spoilers below *
A World Without Heroes
In The Penguin, Gotham feels as grimy and lawless as ever, with no sign of Batman stepping in to save the day. This absence creates an intriguing dynamic: the audience isn’t rooting for a hero but instead watching villains battle it out for dominance. Oswald, known to many as "Oz," is a ruthless underdog trying to claim his place at the top of Gotham’s criminal hierarchy.
The series doesn’t shy away from the brutal reality of its premise. Oswald’s rise begins with the murder of Alberto Falcone, which puts him in direct conflict with Sophia Falcone, Alberto’s sister. Freshly released from Arkham, Sophia partners with Salvatore Maroni (played by Clancy Brown) to take revenge on Oz. Meanwhile, Gotham’s streets are awash with chaos, with a new drug—mushrooms stolen by Oz—fueling his growing empire.
Colin Farrell revealed he was watching Disney Pixar movies to avoid falling into depression during the filming of 'THE PENGUIN’.
“I rewatched all of ‘TOY STORY’.” “I saw them all at the end of every workday just so I could appreciate something beautiful and light.”
A Ground-Level Perspective of Gotham
One of The Penguin’s greatest strengths lies in its ability to immerse viewers in the world of Oswald Cobb, a man struggling to seize power in a city teetering on chaos. While The Batman captured Gotham’s expanse through rooftop vistas and aerial shots, The Penguin stays firmly on the streets. The towering skyscrapers of Gotham, which once felt like part of Batman’s domain, now loom menacingly over Cobb, emphasizing his fight to control a city that views him as expendable.
This grounded perspective creates a sense of intimacy and tension, drawing audiences into the grit and grime of Gotham’s underworld. It’s a stark contrast to the stoic, methodical approach of Bruce Wayne, giving the series a distinct voice within Reeves’ universe.
Rooting for the Villains
What makes The Penguin so fascinating is its moral complexity. The audience is invited to root for Oz, a villain with moments of surprising vulnerability, even as he commits increasingly heinous acts. His relationship with Victor, a young man he takes under his wing, becomes a central focus. Vic starts as a bright-eyed protégé but is slowly pulled into Oz’s web of corruption, making him a tragic figure akin to Jesse Pinkman in Breaking Bad.
Despite their bond, Oz ultimately betrays Vic in a devastating twist that cements his transformation into a cold, calculating monster. This shocking moment encapsulates the show’s brilliance: it lures viewers into sympathizing with Oz, only to remind them that he’s every bit as ruthless as his rivals.
A Compelling Character Study
Colin Farrell’s portrayal of Oswald Cobb is nothing short of transformative. Beneath layers of prosthetics, Farrell disappears into the role, bringing depth and complexity to a character often overshadowed by Gotham’s flashier villains. His performance makes Oz both repulsive and strangely compelling, a man driven by ambition but haunted by his past.
The show also delves into Oz’s fractured psyche, from his complicated relationship with his deteriorating mother to his desperate attempts to fill that void with a hired escort posing as her. These moments of vulnerability humanize Oz, even as his actions remind viewers of his villainy.
Colin Farrell’s portrayal of Oswald Cobb is nothing short of transformative
Farrell’s performance is so layered and convincing that The Penguin stands alongside the Joker as one of the most compelling villains in DC’s live-action canon.
Standalone Yet Tied to Gotham
While The Penguin connects to The Batman, it stands on its own as a gripping narrative. The show includes nods to the movie, like Vic’s family dying during the climactic events of The Batman, but these details are seamlessly integrated. Even if you haven’t seen the film, the series provides all the context you need to dive into Gotham’s underworld.
A Dark and Twisted Journey
The series culminates in a gut-wrenching finale that leaves viewers questioning their loyalties. Oz’s betrayal of Vic isn’t just shocking—it’s a reminder of the darkness that defines Gotham and its inhabitants. This ending is a masterstroke, forcing the audience to confront their complicity in rooting for a character who, despite moments of relatability, is undeniably monstrous.
A New Standard for Comic Book Storytelling
Between The Batman and The Penguin, Matt Reeves and his team have redefined what a comic book adaptation can achieve. These aren’t just stories about superheroes and villains—they’re explorations of power, morality, and the human condition, told with a level of craftsmanship rarely seen in the genre.
With its rich character development, stunning performances, and unflinching exploration of Gotham’s underworld, The Penguin stands as a testament to the power of storytelling. As the foundation for a broader narrative universe, it not only expands on The Batman’s themes but also carves out its own identity, proving that Gotham’s shadows hold endless potential for tales of intrigue and ambition.
If this is what Reeves’ universe has to offer, the future of Gotham has never looked brighter—or darker.
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