The Penguin | Review by: Benjamin Garrett

The Oz Cobb we were introduced to in The Batman was only the tip of the iceberg. HBO’s The Penguin gives the iconic villain the complex origin story he deserves, with an unrecognizable Colin Farrell leaving a monumental mark on the DCU.

Set just a week after the events of The Batman, The Penguin follows Oz as he ascends through Gotham’s criminal underbelly, navigating betrayals, power struggles, and personal demons. What’s most compelling about Oz is how unapologetically self-serving and manipulative he is, but also how tragically human the show makes him. While he’s undoubtedly a monster - selfish, greedy, and ruthless in every sense - the series crafts him in a way that almost forces you to sympathize with him.

The show does take a little time to hit its stride, occasionally getting bogged down by some lackluster subplots and clunky exposition. These are minor hiccups, though, and while the series could’ve benefited from being streamlined into 6 or 7 more focused episodes, it never overstays its welcome with its 8-episode run. Ultimately, it serves as a seamless extension of the world Matt Reeves crafted in The Batman, capturing the same gritty, atmospheric tone and feeling like a natural progression of the city and its morally complex inhabitants we were introduced to two years ago.

Colin Farrell absolutely disappears into this role, but I’m not just talking about the layers of impressive prosthetics and makeup. The way he carries himself, how he speaks, the subtle mannerisms - he doesn’t just play Oz, he becomes him. It’s easy to draw surface level comparisons to iconic crime bosses like Tony Soprano, but he truly makes this character his own. I had to frequently remind myself I was watching Farrell, which should tell you how brilliantly he plays the part. Going toe to toe with Farrell’s towering performance, is Cristin Milioti as Sofia Falcone. This is just as much her villain origin story as it is Oz’s. Watching the complicated and volatile dynamic between these two is when the show is operating in peak form.

The Penguin delivers an enthralling anti-villain tale that paints Oz Cobb as more than just a power-hungry criminal. With Colin Farrell at the center, the show elevates what could have been a typical rise-to-power story into something far richer and more nuanced. This is essential viewing for fans of The Batman, ranking among DC’s best film and television projects.

4/5

Review by: Benjamin Garrett

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