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The DC Studios logo is seen in a rainy Gotham alley
Plot
Following the events of The Batman (2022), Oz Cobb, aka the Penguin, attempts to take the reins of Gotham’s underworld.. Aside from the Bat-signal in the closing shot of the season finale, we didn’t get a cameo from Robert Pattinson in The Penguin . In this short video, IMDb tries to answer the question: where the hell was Batman?. Colin Farrell fought hard to have his version of the Penguin smoke tobacco in The Batman (2022), but he failed. In his own series, however, the character is portrayed as a casual tobacco user with a penchant for cigars..
An umbrella falls and the logo changes to the Warner Bros
logo. Starring in Graham Norton stars: Lady Gaga/Demi Moore/Colin Farrell/Richard Ayoade/Jack Savoretti (2024). A spin-off of Matt Reeves’ The Batman (2022), HBO’s new series The Penguin is a thrilling foray into Gotham City’s criminal underworld. Directed by Colin Farrell as the titular character Oswald Cobblepot, aka The Penguin, this series takes the film’s gritty, noir-like tone and offers fans a fresh yet familiar experience in the Batman universe. Unlike most superhero content, The Penguin focuses on the darker, more human elements of Gotham’s criminals, moving away from the caped crusader and shedding light on the rise of one of Batman’s most notorious foes.
The series cleverly avoids relying too heavily on Batman’s shadow, allowing Penguin to really shine in the lead role
Plot: Set immediately after the events of The Batman, the series explores Penguin’s journey to fill the power vacuum created in Gotham’s criminal empire. With Carmine Falcone dead and Gotham’s infrastructure in chaos, Penguin seizes the opportunity to climb the corporate ladder and is determined to gain control of the city’s crime syndicates. His transformation from underboss to major crime boss takes center stage, giving The Penguin a mafia vibe more reminiscent of The Sopranos than a traditional superhero series. Without the overpowering presence of Gotham’s protector, a new and interesting dynamic emerges, with Oswald free to operate in a morally ambiguous space. This narrative shift feels fresh for the genre, adding depth to Gotham’s criminal world without focusing too much on superhero spectacle.
Colin Farrell’s Performance Colin Farrell’s portrayal of the Penguin is simply remarkable
Physically unrecognizable in his prosthetic makeup, Farrell yet fully embodies the character, delivering a nuanced performance that balances the brutality of a mob boss with the insecurities and ambition that drive him. The Penguin is no longer just a caricature of a deformed, umbrella-wielding villain; instead, he is portrayed as a ruthless, calculating player in Gotham’s criminal hierarchy, making him both terrifying and oddly sympathetic. Farrell adds more facets to the character, going beyond the stereotypical portrayal of a villain. His Oswald Cobblepot is cunning, manipulative, and ready to break bones, yet he’s also a man driven by a deep-rooted inferiority complex and a desire for respect. Watching him navigate the treacherous waters of Gotham’s criminal world is compelling and offers a grounded approach to the character, making The Penguin a fascinating character study.
The tone of the show is dark, violent, and full of tension, reminiscent of neo-noir crime thrillers
Dark Atmosphere and Tone In terms of atmosphere, The Penguin maintains the same gritty and rainy aesthetic that fans loved about The Batman. The dark, crime-ridden streets of Gotham are beautifully filmed, with an emphasis on realism rather than comic book extravagance. Every scene is steeped in the corruption and decay of Gotham, and it feels like danger lurks in every shadow. The production design is top-notch, with set pieces that feel like a natural extension of Reeves’ Gotham City.
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