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The umbrella falls, and the logo changes to Warner Bros

Plot

After the events of Batman (2022), Oz Cobb, aka the Penguin, is playing a game to take control of Gotham’s criminal underworld. Aside from the Bat-signal in the final shot of the season finale, we never got our Robert Pattinson in the lead role in “The Penguin.” In this short video, IMDb attempts to answer: Where the hell was Batman? Colin Farrell fought hard to create his own version of the smoking Penguin in Batman (2022), but failed. However, for his own series, the character is depicted as an occasional smoker with a penchant for cigars. The DC Studios logo is located in a rainy Gotham alley.

Featuring Graham Norton and guests: Lady Gaga/Demi Moore/Colin Farrell/Richard Ayoade/Jack Savoretti (2024)

The new HBO series Penguin, which is Matt Reeves’ Batman (2022) is a thrilling dive into the criminal underworld of Gotham City. Colin Farrell stars as the titular character Oswald Cobblepot, aka The Penguin, and the series expands on the gritty, gritty tone established by the film and offers fans a new yet familiar experience within the Batman universe. Unlike most superhero-related content, The Penguin focuses on the darker and more human elements of Gotham’s crime scene, moving away from the caped crusader to spotlight one of Batman’s most notorious foes. Set immediately after the events of The Batman, the series explores 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 climb the ladder, determined to establish control over the city’s crime syndicates.

Colin Farrell’s performance as the Penguin is nothing short of brilliant

The focus is on his transformation from a jobber to a crime lord, making The Penguin a mob drama more like The Sopranos than a traditional superhero show. The series wisely avoids relying too heavily on Batman’s shadow, allowing the Penguin to truly shine as the lead. Without the dominating 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 new to the genre and adds depth to Gotham’s criminal underworld without being too focused on the superhero show. Physically unrecognizable in his prosthetic makeup, Farrell completely immerses himself in the character with a nuanced performance that balances the mob boss’ brutality with the insecurities and ambition that drive him.

Farrell brings layers to the character, beyond the stereotypical portrayal of a villain

The Penguin is no longer just a deformed caricature of an umbrella-wielding villain; instead, he’s portrayed as a ruthless, calculating player in Gotham’s criminal hierarchy, making him both terrifying and strangely lovable. His Oswald Cobblepot is smart, manipulative, and ready to break bones, yet 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 underworld is compelling, and it provides a grounded approach to the character, making Penguin a fascinating character study. Gritty Atmosphere and Tone In terms of atmosphere, Penguin maintains the same gritty and rainy aesthetic that fans loved in Batman. The dark, crime-ridden streets of Gotham are beautifully captured, emphasizing a mix of realistic and comic-book extravagance.

The tone of the series is dark, violent, and suspenseful, reminiscent of neo-noir crime thrillers

Every scene is saturated with the corruption and decline of Gotham, and danger seems to lurk in every shadow. The production design is excellent, with the set feeling like a natural extension of Reeves’ Gotham City.