Following the events of Matt Reeves’ The Batman, the eight-episode DC Studios series The Penguin stars Colin Farrell (under gobs of make-up and prosthetics) reprising his role of Oz Cobb aka “The Penguin” from DC Comics lore. The Riddler’s terrorist attack that flooded Gotham has created big opportunities in the underworld. Oz is making a play for power within The Falcone crime family after the death of Carmine Falcone (John Turturro is replaced by Mark Strong in the series flashbacks). Still, Falcone’s daughter Sofia (Cristin Milioti) and the down-but-not-out rival crime family, The Maroni’s, led by Salvatore Maroni (Clancy Brown) have their own designs.
The Penguin is a comic book series for people who don’t like comic book series, and as a comic fan, I say that with the utmost respect. Everything feels as raw and real as any other modern mob flick and harkens back to HBO’s glory days with The Sopranos – with just a pinch of comic book flare. Regardless of loyalty to the source material, when something is good, it’s good and The Penguin is great.
Some might question whether Farrell’s character in The Batman deserves the spotlight that he’s getting here. The actor puts any concerns to rest with a nuanced, layered take that impressively constructs Oz as a complicated person – a far stride from the amusing supporting role in The Batman. Farrell occasionally leans too hard on his Robert DeNiro impression for Oz (as he did in the film), but the portrayal is, without question, superior in The Penguin.
Part of Oz’s character development is thanks to the adoption of young street thug Victor (Rhenzy Feliz) as his right-hand man. The duo develops an obviously unhealthy working relationship, but these two lost misfits find a friendship that most importantly humanizes Oz. Feliz’s inherent likability goes a long way in making you care for Victor and therefore by proxy, Oz. Additionally, Oz enlists Victor to help care for his unstable mother Francis (Deirdre O’Connell), inserting another emotional bond and an extra layer of empathy for Oz – not to mention a look at where he gets his cutthroat nature.
While the series is titled for Farrell’s Oz, The Penguin is every bit as much Sofia Falcone’s story and Milioti is a revelation. Sofia was sent to Arkham Hospital by her family but is now released and the damage done to her there is on full display with every little thing Milioti does with her performance. The actress has been doing stellar work as of late (see Palm Springs or Made for Love) and this high-profile role should bring her talent even more notoriety. As the series progresses, her play for power and eventual confrontations with both Oz and Sal are a powerhouse of performances – it doesn’t hurt that every actor benefits from being in scenes with the great Clancy Brown.
While it’s true, that there are no Robert Pattinson appearances as Batman or Bruce Wayne in The Penguin outside of quick shots of TV footage, this superb series doesn’t need it. The episodes unfold like all the best parts of The Mob story from Frank Miller’s seminal comic classic Batman: The Long Halloween brought to live-action. Stacked with great character actors from top to bottom, the award-worthy performances from leads Farrell and Milioti are the frosting on the cannoli of this gritty, addicting must-see return to the Gotham City last seen in Matt Reeves’ The Batman.
The Penguin begins with the series premiere on Thursday, September 19 at 9:00 p.m. ET/PT on HBO and will be available to stream on Max. New episodes will then debut on Sunday nights at 9:00 p.m. ET/PT on HBO and Max.