Colin Farrell’s return as Oswald Cobblepot, aka The Penguin, in the highly anticipated HBO Max series has stunned The Batman fans, scoring a jaw-dropping 93% on Rotten Tomatoes. With this certified fresh rating, The Penguin outshines The Batman‘s respectable 85%, becoming one of the most critically acclaimed projects in the gritty Gotham universe.
The series serves as a direct sequel to The Batman, where we last saw Farrell’s Penguin make a lasting impression despite limited screen time. This new venture, however, dives deeper into the character’s rise to power, following Oz as he navigates Gotham’s criminal underworld with ambitions of becoming the top crime boss.
The Penguin Scores Big with Critics
Early reviews for The Penguin reveal that critics are more than impressed with Farrell’s expanded role, calling his performance “darkly comedic” and full of unexpected depth. The series has been hailed as a thrilling exploration of Gotham’s grimy underbelly, with critics drawing comparisons to iconic mob dramas like The Sopranos.
Collider’s Chase Hutchinson was particularly taken with Farrell’s performance, noting, “Farrell again makes his take into something refreshingly different,” and praised his ability to bring out more layers in Oswald Cobblepot. The character, who in The Batman leaned more into villainous theatrics, is now given room to breathe and grow in complexity. According to Hutchinson, this results in “moments of brilliance” within the show, especially in scenes shared with Cristin Milioti’s Sofia Falcone, another key player in the Gotham power struggle.
While some critics caution that The Penguin doesn’t quite reach the heights of The Sopranos, the comparison alone speaks to the strength of the show. Farrell’s portrayal of Oz may not be as rich in character depth as Tony Soprano, but the series offers its own brand of explosiveness, violence, and intrigue. As Hutchinson puts it, the show delivers “loud explosions and fights” while still providing enough nuance through Farrell’s performance to keep audiences hooked.
Building a Gotham Crime Saga
One of the major strengths of The Penguin is its focus on Gotham’s criminal element, something The Batman only scratched the surface of. With Farrell’s Oz now in the driver’s seat, the show explores how Gotham’s most notorious criminals maneuver through a city on the brink of chaos.
The show also benefits from an ensemble cast that enhances the narrative’s complexity. Cristin Milioti’s Sofia Falcone plays a critical role, acting as both a potential ally and rival to Oz. Critics have singled out the chemistry between Farrell and Milioti, describing their scenes as some of the best in the series. The tension between the two characters creates a dynamic where both are aware they might need each other to survive but are equally prepared to destroy one another for their own gains.
Other key cast members include Rhenzy Feliz as Victor Aguilar, Michael Kelly as Johnny Viti, and Shohreh Aghdashloo as Nadia Maroni, all of whom add depth to the show’s intricate web of crime and betrayal. Clancy Brown also makes a standout appearance as Salvatore Maroni, a character who will undoubtedly become a formidable figure in the coming episodes.
What Sets The Penguin Apart from The Batman
While The Batman garnered critical praise for its dark, detective-style portrayal of Gotham and its brooding take on Bruce Wayne, The Penguin shifts the focus to a different type of story. In The Batman, Robert Pattinson’s Caped Crusader is a grim, isolated figure battling both external foes and his own inner demons. However, The Penguin offers something more chaotic and, at times, even humorous through Farrell’s portrayal of Oswald Cobblepot.
The series not only expands on Oz’s backstory but also digs into the nuances of Gotham’s criminal world, providing a more grounded and relatable look at how someone like Cobblepot can rise to power. The fact that The Penguin focuses on this power struggle allows the show to draw more from the mob genre than superhero films, creating a richer, more layered narrative.
Fans of The Batman may be surprised by the tonal shift in The Penguin. While both projects share the same dark, gothic atmosphere, the series leans more heavily into character-driven moments and the machinations of Gotham’s criminal elite. It’s a far cry from the brooding introspection of Bruce Wayne, but it’s precisely this shift in focus that has critics so excited.
What Critics Are Saying
With its stunning 93% on Rotten Tomatoes, The Penguin is proving to be one of the standout series of the year. The show has not only been praised for Farrell’s performance but also for its tight writing and attention to detail.
Critics have compared the show’s style and tone to that of classic mob dramas. However, it’s Farrell’s ability to bring out new layers of Oz that has critics buzzing. The show, while gritty and violent, also manages to deliver a surprising amount of humor and humanity, especially in the quieter, character-driven moments.
Collider’s Chase Hutchinson described The Penguin as a series that “drags us into a bleak world,” but it’s Farrell’s and Milioti’s performances that elevate it. The show, much like its titular character, is unpredictable, darkly funny, and explosive.
What’s Next for The Penguin?
While the show’s first season hasn’t even aired yet, fans and critics alike are already wondering about the future. The world of The Batman is expanding, and with The Penguin being such a critical success, there’s hope that this will be just the beginning of Oz’s reign in Gotham.
Showrunner Matt Reeves has teased that the series could lead into more stories set within this universe, including a potential second season for The Penguin. And while there’s no word yet on whether we’ll see Oz attending therapy à la Tony Soprano, as Hutchinson jokingly suggested, it’s clear that this character has a lot more story left to tell.
Fans can catch The Penguin on HBO Max when it premieres on September 19. With its critical acclaim and high praise for Farrell’s performance, the series is shaping up to be a must-watch for fans of Gotham’s dark and twisted world.