The DC Studios logo is set in a rainy Gotham alley
Chronology
Following the events of Batman (2022), Oz Cobb, aka the Penguin, stages a play to seize the reins of Gotham’s crime world. From melting makeup to freezing filming, Colin Farrell and Cristin Milioti talk about how he developed his character during the production of „The Penguin.“ Colin Farrell fought hard to make The Penguin smoke tobacco in Batman (2022), but was unsuccessful. In his own series, however, the character is depicted as a casual tobacco user, preferring to smoke cigars. An umbrella falls and the logo turns into the Warner Bros. logo.
Starring on The Graham Norton Show: Lady Gaga/Demi Moore/Colin Farrell/Richard Ayoade/Jack Savoretti (2024)
The new HBO show, The Penguin, is directed by Matt Reeves ' Batman (2022) is a thrilling dive into the criminal underworld of Gotham City. Led by Colin Farrell as the titular character Oswald Cobblepot, aka The Penguin, the series expands on the gritty, gritty 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 crime scene, moving away from the caped crusader to highlight the rise of one of Batman’s most notorious foes. The series takes place immediately after the events of Batman and follows The Penguin’s journey to fill the power vacuum left in Gotham’s criminal empire. With Carmine Falcone dead and Gotham’s infrastructure in chaos, The Penguin seizes the opportunity to rise through the ranks, determined to gain control of the city’s criminal organizations.
Colin Farrell’s performance as the Penguin is nothing short of remarkable
The main character’s transformation from main character to crime lord is the focus, lending the Penguin’s mob drama more of a nod to The Sopranos than a traditional superhero show. The show wisely avoids relying too much on Batman’s shadow, allowing the Penguin to truly shine as the lead. Without the overbearing presence of Gotham’s protector, it creates a new and interesting dynamic where Oswald operates freely in a morally ambiguous space. This narrative shift feels fresh in the genre and adds depth to the Gotham crime world without overly focusing on the spectacle of superheroes. Physically unrecognizable in prosthetic makeup, Farrell fully inhabits the character with a nuanced performance that balances the mob boss’ brutality with the uncertainty and ambition that drives him.
Farrell brings layers to the character, transcending the stereotypical villain’s portrayal
The Penguin is no longer just a caricature of a deformed, umbrella-wielding villain; instead, he’s portrayed as a ruthless, calculated player in Gotham’s criminal hierarchy, making him both terrifying and oddly likable. Oswald Cobblepot is cunning, manipulative, and ready to break bones, but he’s also a man driven by a deep-seated inferiority complex and a desire for respect. Watching him navigate the treacherous waters of Gotham’s criminal underworld is fascinating, and offers a grounded approach to the character, making The Penguin a compelling character study. Gritty Atmosphere and Tone In terms of atmosphere, The Penguin maintains the same gritty and rainy aesthetic that fans have come to love in Batman. The dark, crime-ridden streets of Gotham are beautifully shot, with an emphasis on realism over comic book extravagance.
The tone of the show is grim, violent, and suspenseful, reminiscent of neo-noir crime fiction
Every scene is imbued with Gotham’s corruption and decline, and it feels like danger lurks in every shadow. The production design is top-notch, with the sets feeling like a natural extension of Reeves. Gotham City. The seedy clubs, seedy alleys, and lavish mansions of criminals all add to the show’s immersive atmosphere.