User reviews

Farrell STEALS this series. He's impressive. There is nothing in the character that even hints of Farrell. The NY dialect, the sway and limp, the attitude : you'd swear it was another person. The amazing prosthetics are very realistic and adds to the character.

The show is gritty and graphic. There is nothing cartoonish about it. Well-written and taut. This makes a great counterpart to Christopher Nolan's Batman. In fact, I'd say this blows Marvel's line out of the water.

I'm hoping that their might be a season 2, but I know that this is limited. It's a shame. HBO has a legitimate hit on their hands.

Colin Farrell has done for Penguin what Heath Ledger did for Joker......... GAMECHANGER ! MASTERFUL! ICONIC !!

I wouldn't have thought it for this role, but Colin Farrell has just turned in the.performance of his career with an incredible interpretation of Penguin. This will go down in history in the same way Heath Ledgers Joker changed that character.

If he doesn't clean up as Best Actor for the Golden Globes, SAG awards and everywhere else, there is no appreciation of how the producers, script writers and the incredible makeup team helped Colin Turin in this incredible performance that will be a hallmark of his career and the benchmark role of Penguin for the next 3 generations.

P. S. (I don't really write reviews ever. This performance has me typing because I am so impressed !

Absolutely nailed the tone and atmosphere. Gritty and grimy and dark, but Farrell is able to capture that glimmer of charm Gandolfini's Tony Soprano did.

There are similarities to the sopranos especially in tone. A lot of dark stuff goes down in this opening episode, but there's still comedic moments that match the tone and don't undermine it.

Where to start with Farrell. Amazing is the right word. Love to see talented star actors go all in on roles like this, and the makeup/cgi or whatever exactly they did with transforming him into the penguin physically not only passes the eye test, it looks incredible realistic. There is always the risk that if the make up job isn't good enough or is just a little off, it can completely distract. In the penguin, it adds to his performance and the overall quality of the show because it's such a damn good job. And Farrell as an actor is completely immersed in this role. I'm maybe a little biased because he is one of my favorite actors prior to this show, but I think this is going to get him well-deserved accolades.

I never really tune into new shows right away because I like to watch the episodes all at once, but I wanted to see how this one actually came out.

Didn't disappoint, in fact blew me away. Kudos to everyone involved with this project.

Wow. The Penguin is just terrific. Everyone knows what a great actor Colin Farrell is but he's unrecognizable here as The Penguin. I wouldn't be surprised to see him nominated for some awards for his role in this. The biggest surprise was Cristin Milioti as Sofia Falcone. I wasn't too sure when I heard she was named actress for this role, she's a good actress but didn't think this role was for her. I was wrong. She's as good as Farrell is in this and makes you believe Sofia Falcone is a true rival to The Penguin. I also wouldn't be surprised to see how nominated for some awards for her role in this. This isn't your typical DC or Marvel show, it's a full on gangster series. This series takes place in the underworld of a now semi destroyed Gotham City and is a great follow up to Matt Reeves' The Batman. This is how you do it DC.

So, the first episode is done and it was excellent. I've never seen Farell so invested in a character. I mean yes, he's wearing a fat suit but you'd never know it. His attitude, body language, voice all make you submerge into the character and only see Penguin. It has no relationship to any of the other live TV penguins, Burgess Meredith or Robin Lord Taylor. This a New York mobster, a wise guy. He's a Scorsese mobster but without the florid language.

The plot is simple, similar to Lord Taylors Penguin in the CW's Gotham. The Penguin is a middle man in a mob organization. Up until now he's been doing his time, slowly moving up in the mob and then, with the effects of the Riddler blowing up the city sea wall and the death of his boss in that movie, he sees a chance to move up in the world. Now begins the game of cross, double cross and, I suppose, triple cross. Highly entertaining and very much recommended.

I've been waiting for The Penguin ever since it was first announced it was going to series and I can tell you it's every bit as good as I expected. Colin Farrell is absolutely terrific as Oz Cobb a.k.a. The Penguin. He was a standout on The Batman and is even better in a lead role. On top of that Cristin Milioti is just as good as Sofia Falcone. The two of them fight to see who is the #1 gangster in Gotham and to "bring order in all the chaos." Some people were worried that a supporting character like The Penguin couldn't carry a show and it wouldn't work not having Batman or Bruce Wayne but fear not because this is more than just villain character on a superhero show, it's a great crime drama on its own. It's a gritty, violent crime drama that's so fun to watch unfold. I hope we get more stories like this from this world.

The Batman, for my taste had simply the greatest portrayal of Gotham city put on film. The environment was disgustingly dank, and visually everything you'd wanna see for what it's known as. A large part of that was its mob underworld where Oswald a.k.a. Penguin was starting to take control. This series fully accelerates these aspects and perfectly builds off of the film. I can't say enough about Colin Farrell's performance in this and honestly, it may be his magnum opus. The guy gives the character the most gritty and Guttery feel he can and it's so well done it resonates . Even without the Batman, the intrigue from him is so strong you don't even notice it. The other side characters are pretty well done, though Some of the cast choices seem a little off for a few. I can overlook that though .This series perfectly continues to set Up this Batman universe And I can't wait to see where they go from here. One of the best series within the last decade easily. Give Colin Farrell all the awards he deserves for this role.

The new HBO show The Penguin, a spin-off of Matt Reeves' The Batman (2022), is an exciting dive into the criminal underworld of Gotham City. Helmed by Colin Farrell as the titular character Oswald Cobblepot, aka The Penguin, this series expands on the gritty, noirish tone set by the film and offers fans a fresh yet familiar experience in the Batman universe. Unlike most superhero-related content, The Penguin focuses on the darker, more human elements of Gotham's criminals, moving away from the caped crusader to spotlight the rise of one of Batman's most notorious foes.

Storyline Set immediately after the events of The Batman, the series explores Penguin's journey to fill the power vacuum left in Gotham's criminal empire. With Carmine Falcone dead and Gotham's infrastructure in chaos, Penguin seizes the opportunity to climb the ranks, determined to assert control over the city's crime syndicates. His transformation from an underboss to a major crime lord is the primary focus, which gives The Penguin a mafia-drama vibe more akin to The Sopranos than a traditional superhero show.

The show smartly avoids relying too heavily on Batman's shadow, allowing Penguin to truly shine as a lead. 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 the Gotham crime world without focusing too much on superhero spectacle.

Colin Farrell's Performance Colin Farrell's portrayal of Penguin is nothing short of remarkable. Physically unrecognizable in his prosthetic makeup, Farrell fully inhabits the character with 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's depicted as a ruthless, calculated player in Gotham's criminal hierarchy, making him both terrifying and strangely sympathetic.

Farrell brings layers to the character, moving beyond the stereotypical villain portrayal. His Oswald Cobblepot is shrewd, manipulative, and ready to break bones, yet he's also a man driven by a deep-rooted inferiority complex and desire for respect. Watching him navigate the treacherous waters of Gotham's crime world is compelling and provides a grounded approach to the character, making The Penguin a fascinating character study.

Gritty Atmosphere and Tone In terms of atmosphere, The Penguin maintains the same gritty and rainy aesthetic that fans loved in The Batman. The dark, crime-ridden streets of Gotham are beautifully shot, with an emphasis on realism over comic book extravagance. The show's tone is grim, violent, and loaded with tension, reminiscent of neo-noir crime thrillers. Every scene is soaked in the corruption and decay of Gotham, and it feels as if danger lurks in every shadow.

The production design is top-notch, with set pieces that feel like a natural extension of Reeves' Gotham City. The dingy clubs, run-down alleys, and opulent crime lord mansions all add to the immersive feel of the show. The cinematography, with its moody lighting and cold color palette, enhances the show's foreboding atmosphere, making Gotham feel like a character in its own right-alive, pulsating, and full of menace.

Supporting Cast and World-Building While Farrell steals the show, the supporting cast also deserves recognition. Characters like Sofia Falcone and Salvatore Maroni (portrayed by Cristin Milioti and Clancy Brown, respectively) add layers to the Gotham crime landscape, each vying for power in the post-Falcone world. Their interactions with Penguin help expand the world and keep the narrative engaging.

Moreover, the show fleshes out the criminal network of Gotham in a way that hasn't been fully explored in previous Batman films or shows. By focusing on the mob world and its intricate dynamics, The Penguin gives fans a new look at Gotham's power structures without constantly resorting to capes and gadgets.

I thought Colin Farrell was great as Penguin in the Batman, but i have never understood casting a skinny good looking fit actor and putting him in massive prosthesis and a fat suit...especially when i kind of think he looks like some other famous actors who would also have been just as good. I also really didn't get why this spinoff was coming, and to be honest am just tired of Batman reboots. But after episode 1 i will confirm this show to be amazing (so far). I only watched it know it was a necessary to watch bridge between the first and second movies, and my surprise enjoyment of Farrell in the role in the first one. But i wasn't expecting to like it nearly this much. The acting is terrific, the writing is superb, and it surpised me with some quick twists. The biggest thing that i liked was the fact that there was so much more color in this than in the Batman. I noticed it almost immediately, as it was a huge complaint for me about the movie (it felt like watching it through a Zack Snyder lense). I hope this keeps being as good as it goes along because i genuinely cant wait until the next episode.

Have to admit, while I was lukewarm to the latest iteration of the Caped Crusader in 2022's The Batman, I was impressed by at least one character's reimagining in Colin Farrell's Oswald Cobblepot, aka The Penguin (although, also admittedly, not to the extent that I would've ever guessed there'd be a whole series dedicated to this seemingly 2D yet very complex character translation of one of Gotham City's most infamous villains). But here we are. Given the overall impact of recent "reimagining" projects of established DCU characters in recent years, this was a refreshing surprise in the acting, writing and character development of not just Farrell's Penguin, but also Cristin Milioti's Sofia Falcone. It's dark, it's gritty and it makes for brilliant canon. 10/10 for a tv series in 2024.

The series is about Oswald Cobb, known as the Penguin, who wants to take over the underworld of Gotham after the death of Carmine Falcone. The series covers how he deals with Falcones and Maronis, the drug named Bliss, and his double cross to get Falcones and Maronis to fight each other.

The series is intriguing as it is a continuation of the movie "The Batman 2022" and to know the aftermath of Carmine Falcone's death in the underworld. Penguin's plot, against the son of Carmine, joining hands with Sofia Falcone to use her against Maronis and for the drug, was good at the beginning of the series. The Penguin dealing with local gangs to supply drugs on the streets, hiring a local kid as his assistant, and setting false proof to manipulate Sofia, digging Falcones' dirt to divide them apart, were written perfectly.

During Sofia's days at Arkham Asylum, Sofia deals with the difference she has with the rest of the Falcones, and her retaliation against the Falcones' plan to send her away is a good addition to her character arc. Once she got to know the true colours of the Penguin, joining hands with Maronis, setting a bounty on the Penguin, destroying the Penguin's hidden lab and hiding place, and kidnapping his mom were set as serious threats to the Penguin, which were admirable.

The childhood backstory of Penguin, what happened to his brothers, how he turned into a gangster, how he gets to know his mom's true colours, etc. Were additions to his characteristics. The lead with the letter to Sofia was intriguing as it set to upcoming projects. But the last episode was underwhelming compared to previous episodes. But the only drawback of the series is that the Falcones are wiped out in a single night, bomb blasts in public places, and the drug supply all happen in Gotham, but Batman doesn't interfere or care at any point, which is a serious logical mistake.

I understand this series is all about the Penguin taking over Gotham's underworld, can't bring Batman for the story, or can't bring Robert Pattinson in the show. At least they would have shown any Batman reference in the news or poster, showing him without revealing his face or coming in Batmobile at some point in the series, but all we got was the bat signal in the clouds at the last second of the last episode.

The writing was good for most of the series. The character and story arc were great as the story progressed and unfolded as a backstory. Colin Farrell and Cristian Milioti did great in their roles. The cinematography and composition were good. The music was minimal.

In conclusion, I like this series, and it is a good spin-off for the Penguin. I suggest watching it even if you are not a fan of DC, a casual viewer.

"Chaos is not a pit, chaos is a ladder" In the context of Lord Baelish, this is how "The Penguin" dealt with the destroyed Gotham, full of corruption and devastation, to be an ideal and very fertile environment for building his own authority.

As an extension of what happened in The Batman and the disaster that befell the city, I saw an opening scene that was one of the most amazing disasters that occurred, and the chaos that we see with the penguin's looks is nothing but an indication that the penguin was placed in the right place at the right time to exploit the overwhelming chaos, and of course he is the right man as well.

I don't have a great background in the world of comics or the Penguin character, but I didn't have a problem understanding the events and the character's style. All you have to do to watch the work is watch the Batman movie, and that's more than enough.

The first episode is a direct continuation of Matt Reeves' The Batman and I imagine those who haven't seen the latter will be a bit lost. But I watched The Batman a while ago and this show did an admirable job of quickly re-familiarizing me with where the movie left off, and without getting bogged down in a didactic recap. It also recaptures the movie's aesthetic and grim tone nicely, although the show has a lot more moments of sly levity than the movie did.

As in The Batman, Colin Farrell does an excellent job portraying The Penguin as a stereotypical mafia "street guy:" uncouth, profane, mercurial and quick to violence; but also savvy, cunning and able to read people. The character might have absolutely nothing to do with the comic book version but he's interesting in his own right.

I have my doubts about the show giving The Penguin at teenage sidekick; and I don't know if The Penguin's machinations will be enough to sustain a whole season. But so far it's off to a great start.

The Penguin's first episode had me good. It got me so invested. From the opening scene to the end it was paced amazingly. There was not a single moment i didnt enjoy. It felt like watching the sopranos in a gritty Batman world and Collin's acting is really on point. Sofia also stood out with her acting and she is really the perfect crazy villain for Oswald. I honestly cannot see this series going downhill for anything because the first episode sets this series up for something great. I loved how it took place right after the Batman, while it still felt fresh and new. All i can say is that i'm so in for this.

It was a masterpiece. The characters to the plot. The suspense during the show is insane. The acting is great and keeps you in the edge of your seat. The opening scene is also one of the best openings to a dc project over. I can go even further and say it was one THE BEST openings of any show I've seen. The first ep sets your up for an amazing ride. It is also surprisingly fast paced but in a great way. The lead actor does an amazing job and penguin. Prob the best one we've gotten. I was just overall extremely surprised of up much I loved this show. It was great and I can't wait for more!!!!!!

This was reviewed after 100% completion of the series. I was not interested in this until about its 4th week. Only then did I gave it a try...and boy...was I wrong to dismiss it.

Really enjoyed every single episode. The Penguin is a villain all the way through. We as viewers can empathize or root for him, but the writers always made it clear that this is a story of a villain. There is no anti-heroism nor is he misunderstood. They did not take the easy way out to make Oz Cobb a villain based on circumstances either. And for that...really appreciate that they were still able to make a very intriguing series based on a real POS that drew me in week after week thereafter.

One of the best stories ever made. Irregardless of its medium. Very enjoyable. Thank you to all involved for making me believe that a penguin flew and stick to its landing at the very end too. Cheers.

Basically tony soprano in a new tv show, very interesting take and i love Colin Farell in this, best performance ive seen since Gandolfini. Dc is now winning with this one, I highly recommend this, for people who love when crime/drama is done at its best. Nothing but good things about this show. He is so unrecognizable its insane. Its like a whole new person lol. One of the best followup to one of the best Batman movies, Hopefully they keep this quality going, I dont know how they will go from tv ma to pg 13 again because itd be perfect as R in Batman 2. Its the perfect balance of darkness and comedy like Soprano.

WOW, I liked the new Batman a lot. The gritty but more realistic take on Batman (who already made such a transformation from Tim Burtons Batman to Nolans Batman).

This is more dirty and not afraid of taking it even further down to earth. Falcone in both versions are so involved in the beginning of everyting. The making of Batman, the cities tone and in this series the making of the Penguin.

The Penguin is a much more formidable opponent than people think. Learn from the best of the manipulative mind of psychopath Falcone. But his family is still around and they are dangerous but not as smart as daddy but equally psychotic and not dumb at all.

Penguins chance relationship with a kid turned out to be something of a fluke for both. You got to mix the flavours, you get it when you see it.

This series got the finger on the pulse of the city of Gotham and so far it has been hell of a ride.

The Penguin is an exceptional pilot, and the television show is truly remarkable. The plot is captivating and intense, and the writing is sharp and engaging. It skillfully continues the narrative from The Batman. Matt Reeves demonstrates his mastery in crafting this universe, and his passion for this world is evident. Colin Farrell delivers a brilliant performance as Oz, continuing his fantastic portrayal. The makeup on him is incredibly impressive. Cristin Milioti is phenomenal as Sophia Falcone, making this show a delightful experience. I eagerly anticipate next Sunday's episode. HBO stands as the leading television studio, and Emmy nominations for Farrell and Milioti are well-deserved. Bravo, HBO!

Produced by HBO, developed by Lauren LeFranc, and starring Colin Farrell as the lead, we follow Oswald Cobb, a mid-level mobster in Gotham city immediately following the events of the 2022 The Batman film as he contends with the Falcone crime lords and their daughter Sofia (Cristin Milioti), who has just been released from Arkham Asylum. A miniseries of 8 hour-ish episodes, the performances are quite good, especially those from Farrell, between his gait, accent, and heavy prosthetics it was easy to get lost in his character and the world around him. Being HBO the production is of course quite high quality, and the writing was decent, though a bit of the drug / crime family drama was a bit too on-the-nose for me. Beyond some cliche plots and twists, it was nice to see another more grounded non-superhero take on the superhero genre, and I certainly appreciate the tale from the prospective of a truly terrible guy coming from a bad place. I didn't quite believe all the character motivations, but if you like gritty comic book narratives, this ones pretty good, I look forward to more from this DC universe.

Colin Farrell's portrayal of the Penguin in The Penguin 2024 is easily the best adaptation of the character to date. His transformation into Oswald Cobblepot is astounding, both in appearance and in performance, fully capturing the cunning and ruthlessness of the Penguin. What sets this adaptation apart is how Farrell balances the menace and sharp wit of the character. The story showcases Penguin's ability to scheme and manipulate, mirroring the way he's known to talk and plan his way out of tight spots-often avoiding death by mere seconds. The narrative perfectly captures that tension, making him not just a villain, but a survivor who thrives on the chaos around him. It's this careful blend of brains, survival instinct, and flair for theatrics that makes Farrell's Penguin such a standout.

The Penguin had all the ingredients to be a thrilling exploration of Gotham's most notorious villain, but instead, it ends up as a bland, unremarkable exercise in redundancy. For a show meant to delve deeper into the criminal underworld that the Penguin controls, it feels strangely shallow, offering little beyond surface-level gangster tropes and cliched power struggles.

First and foremost, the show struggles to find its own voice. The tone feels overly familiar, borrowing heavily from both The Sopranos and Boardwalk Empire, yet it fails to capture the compelling nuances or sharp dialogue that made those series so iconic. The result is a grim, lifeless atmosphere that doesn't feel fresh or exciting-it just feels like more of the same. The character of Oswald Cobblepot, played by Colin Farrell, continues to be one of the most interesting aspects of the character, but even his performance starts to feel like a tired rehash of what we've already seen in The Batman movie.

The plotting is equally uninspired. Each episode lumbers through repetitive cycles of betrayal, power grabs, and low-stakes drama, without offering any truly compelling twists or character growth. It's hard to shake the feeling that the show is simply treading water, hoping to draw in viewers with its connection to the broader DC universe, rather than delivering a unique story in its own right.

While the production values are certainly solid, with the show's gritty depiction of Gotham offering the right amount of grim atmosphere, even this starts to feel overly familiar. The world-building here seems more concerned with mimicking other successful crime dramas than creating something original and dynamic.

Ultimately, The Penguin struggles to justify its existence. It's a series that neither pushes the boundaries of the genre nor offers fresh takes on familiar material. In the end, it feels like a redundant addition to a larger, already overcrowded universe, one that doesn't quite know what new story it's trying to tell. For fans of Gotham and its underworld, the show offers little more than a passable, forgettable ride through a world we've already seen too many times before.