Just when you thought you’d seen all the grit DC had to offer, The Penguin has waddled in to bring the kind of mayhem that’d make any of us grab a pint and settle in for a binge. Gotham’s favorite mobster, Oswald Cobblepot (yep, him), is getting his own spin-off series on Max. So, what's the deal with The Penguin? Let’s dive in.
Colin Farrell: Unrecognizable and Unstoppable
Forget In Bruges or even The Batman, where Farrell made his debut as Penguin. This series lets him go full-blown mob boss, embracing all the sleaze, slime, and ruthlessness Gotham’s underbelly can muster. Farrell's transformation is next level. In The Batman, we got a taste; in The Penguin, he's serving the whole bloody feast. It’s like De Niro in Goodfellas meets Joe Pesci, with a bit more makeup, leather coats, and scars that’ll make you wince. Gotham’s criminal mastermind is done playing sidekick – he’s ready to run the city himself.
What's the Plot? A Ruthless Rise to Power
So, here’s the deal – this show picks up after The Batman left off. Gotham's in chaos. Carmine Falcone’s six feet under, and that leaves a power vacuum as gaping as the Thames. Cobblepot’s had enough of being the guy in the corner. He’s ready to take control, even if it means stepping on a few throats (or a dozen, probably more). You’re not tuning in for superhero battles or Batmobile chases here; this is raw, brutal, mob turf war action, lads. Expect barroom brawls, back-alley deals, and enough betrayal to give Game of Thrones a run for its money.
Tone: Think The Sopranos, But Even Darker
This is Gotham after all, so don’t expect sunny vibes or comic relief. The Penguin brings that gritty, noir-ish quality that made The Batman stand out in the DC universe, but it cranks the mobster brutality up to 11. Think The Sopranos but with more trench coats, less pasta, and a lot more bullets. The whole thing’s being run by Matt Reeves, who knows a thing or two about creating dark, twisted worlds that make you feel like you need a shower after.
Gotham: Dark, Dirty, and Oozing Trouble
There’s no Gotham City PD to lighten things up, no capes and hero speeches to save the day. Instead, you’ve got underground clubs, neon-lit alleys, and enough criminal drama to fill the Bat Cave twice over. Gotham is just as much a character in this show as Oswald is, and it’s portrayed with all the gritty atmosphere you’d expect from a DC mobster flick. Every shadow feels like it’s hiding something, every alleyway reeks of trouble.
Why You Should Watch
If you’re after something polished and family-friendly, look away. But if the idea of seeing Colin Farrell as a hard-hitting, stone-cold villain appeals, The Penguin is here to deliver. It’s got blood, power plays, and enough criminal cunning to keep you hooked episode after episode. This is The Batman universe like you've never seen it before – stripped down, raw, and unapologetically brutal.
So, lads, grab a cold one, settle in, and prepare for Gotham like you’ve never seen it. The Penguin is here, and he’s out to rule.
