The Penguin: A Gritty and Dark Take on a Batman Villain

When I heard that there would be a TV spinoff from The Batman movie, I wasn’t that interested. It just seemed like yet another spinoff that I didn’t ask for and didn’t need. But after watching a full season, I realized I was wrong. I may not have asked for it, but it was one I needed. In fact, it is one of the best TV shows of 2024.

The Penguin picks up shortly after the events of The Batman. Carmine Falcone is dead, and Gotham, particularly the criminal underworld, is in a state of chaos. Oz Cobb (not so affectionately known as The Penguin), sees this as his opportunity to build his own criminal empire. Along the way he’ll scheme, plot, lie, and steal, making alliances with and betraying anyone who stands in his way.

What I liked most about The Penguin was that it took a villain from the movies and made no effort to make him a hero, or necessarily likeable. This is a trap many others have fallen into. Not here though. The Penguin is a villain, and a ruthless one at that. The show provides more depth and context for his character, even providing moments where you empathize with him. But he remains a villain, and he’s all the more fascinating for it.

At its core, The Penguin is about a turf war amongst Gotham’s criminal underworld. It’s an interesting story yet doesn’t create issues so large that you wonder why Batman hasn’t appeared. It’s a smart script, populated with complex, intriguing characters. The writing is sharp, engaging and the story so well constructed that the conclusion to the season feels honest and inevitable, while still being satisfying.

Visually, everything looks wonderful with terrific cinematography and excellent production design. Gotham is gritty and dark (even in the daylight), creating an oppressive atmosphere. You are immediately sucked into this world, one blanketed with crime, corruption and desperation. You can feel the care that went into designing Gotham and everything in it.

What really sets The Penguin apart from other shows are the performances. Colin Farrell is simply amazing as Oz. The prosthetics and makeup team deserve a lot of credit for his looks, but Farrell immerses himself in this character. The voice, the walk, the mannerisms, and the way he delivers dialogue creates a fully realized character. It is a nuanced performance, making Oz menacing, yet someone who often acts out of desperation. It is simply one of the best performances I’ve seen in a comic book adaptation.

Matching him every step is Cristin Milioti as Sofia Falcone. Recently released from Arkham and looking to take over the family business, Sofia could easily be a one-note character, but Milioti gives Sofia depth and intrigue. She creates a character that is deranged yet calculating. Haunted by her past, yet willing to do what it takes to get the respect she seeks. It’s an impressive performance.

The rest of the supporting cast is great as well. Rhenzy Feliz provides a sympathetic character as Vic, the young thief Oz takes under his wing. As Oz’s mother, Deidre O’Connell is despicable in her contributions to Oz’s behaviours, yet also heartbreaking in her grief. Clancy Brown, Michael Kelly, Michael Zegen and many others round out an impressive ensemble. There should be a lot of award love coming for this cast.

Any complaints about The Penguin are really nitpicking. The show does have some pacing issues, with a couple episodes feeling like they should end 10 minutes before they do. And I wasn’t crazy about one of the doctors at Arkham that develops a fascination with Sofia. But this is minor stuff. Unless you’re looking for a more traditional comic-book show (which this clearly is not), there’s very little to complain about.

Take note Marvel, Disney and Sony. This is how you make your villains into main characters. They don’t need to be likeable, just interesting. The Penguin understands this and provides a gritty, grounded take on a villain (kudos to Matt Reeves and showrunner Lauren LeFranc for understanding this). This is a story about power, greed and ambition, and is unflinching in its portrayal. It’s dark and complex, just as it should be.

A great story and dynamite performances make The Penguin not only one of the best TV shows of the year, but also my favourite DC property since the Nolan Batman trilogy. I don’t know if a second season is in the cards, but if it is, I’m all for it. If you were a fan of The Batman movie, this should not be missed. Even if you weren’t a big fan, I would still suggest giving this a try. It’s a dark take on a comic book character, but it is excellent.

Have you seen The Penguin? Are you planning to? Let me know your thoughts in the comments.