The Penguin emerges as a natural extension of the universe built by Matt Reeves in The Batman (2022), offering a rich and detailed continuity that expands the vision of Gotham City and its complex inhabitants. While The Batman introduced a dark and oppressive Gotham, The Penguin delves deeper into this environment, exploring the ramifications of corruption and crime that permeate the city in a more personal and intimate manner.
The Penguin significantly expands the vision of criminality in Gotham City, deepening the representation of the underworld dynamics sketched in The Batman. While Matt Reeves’ film already presented a Gotham marked by corruption and crime, the series offers a more detailed exploration of the different aspects of criminality that permeate the city, with a particular focus on drugs, gangs, and illegal trade.
The series centers on Oz, portrayed by Colin Farrell, as he attempts to consolidate his power and take absolute control of Gotham City’s criminal world. Following the events of The Batman, where the Penguin was introduced as a key figure in the underworld, he begins to plot his plans to expand and solidify his influence. Seizing the opportunity presented by the city’s instability and power vacuum, OZ makes a strategic move to dominate criminal operations and establish himself as the undisputed leader. The series explores the tactics and intrigues involved in his rise to power, revealing the challenges and rivalries he faces as he tries to control the vast and tumultuous crime scene in Gotham.
One of the strongest points of The Penguin is the addition of Cristin Milioti as Sofia Falcone. Sofia Falcone, the daughter of the famous mobster Carmine Falcone who was killed during the events of The Batman, is a complex and powerful figure in Gotham’s underworld. With Milioti’s entry as Sofia, the series gains a new layer of depth and sophistication. She is not only an important player in the criminal and drug scene but also someone with her own ambitions and strategies. Milioti brings to the role a mix of charm, intelligence, and relentless determination, making Sofia Falcone a truly captivating character.
The setting of The Penguin is as spectacular as that of The Batman (2022), maintaining the same intensity and depth that defined Matt Reeves’ film. Gotham City, the iconic and dark city, continues to be a fundamental character in the series, with its oppressive and decadent atmosphere reflected in every scene. The series maintains the characteristic noir tone of the film, immersing the viewer in an atmosphere full of mystery and suspense. The city is portrayed with a palpable sense of decay, with all the neighborhoods and streets exuding the feeling of a metropolis on the brink of collapse. The darkness and shadows that characterize Batman’s Gotham are maintained and even enhanced, creating a visual setting that accentuates the story and the characters’ emotions.
The locations are meticulously detailed, from dark alleys and abandoned areas to the stunning yet equally unsettling environments of the city’s powerful urban centers. The cinematography of The Penguin is a worthy continuation of the film’s visual style, with a careful and artistic approach that accentuates the noir aesthetic and the dense atmosphere of the series. The choices of color and lighting are effectively used to create dramatic contrasts and accentuate the tension and urgency of each scene. Noteworthy is the use of shadow and light, which helps create a sense of depth and complexity in the environments while reinforcing the atmosphere of mystery and danger. The camera angles and movements are equally well-crafted, enhancing the immersive and engaging feel of the series. Each scene is filmed with great attention to detail, capturing the essence of Gotham and the intensity of the story. The cinematography not only complements the story but also enhances it, fully immersing the viewer in the dark and complex world of the series.
With this continuity in setting and cinematic quality, The Penguin manages to maintain and even expand the visual and emotional impact of The Batman. The series offers a visually rich and consistent experience that not only enhances the city’s atmosphere but also improves the experience of the story and characters.
Colin Farrell’s makeup in The Penguin continues to be a notable highlight, maintaining the same impressive level of transformation seen in The Batman. The makeup team managed to create a detailed and convincing look for the character, ensuring that Farrell completely transforms into the iconic villain, the Penguin. Even under significant layers of makeup and prosthetics, Farrell’s skill as an actor shines intensely. The makeup, which includes dense facial makeup and prosthetics that alter the shape and features of the face, is incredibly well done and faithful to the character’s design. It not only creates a visually impressive appearance but also serves to highlight the essence of the Penguin as a complex and multifaceted character.
Colin Farrell’s talent in conveying emotions and nuances, despite the limitations imposed by heavy makeup, is a testament to his skill as an actor. He manages to convey a full range of emotions, from calculated coldness to intense rage, through subtle variations in facial expression and body language. This is especially impressive considering the amount of makeup and prosthetics covering much of his face. The makeup is done in a way that allows Farrell to communicate effectively with the audience, without the physical transformation becoming a barrier to his performance. He uses his eyes and gestures to convey the character and intensity of the Penguin, managing to express the character’s complex personality and emotional depth, even with the heavy layer of makeup. Farrell’s ability to connect with the audience and bring the Penguin to life demonstrates the mastery of the makeup and the actor’s competence in overcoming any physical challenge to deliver an impactful performance.
Rhenzy Feliz plays the character Victor Aguilar, who interacts directly with the Penguin, playing a crucial role in the series’ plot from the first to the last episode. Aguilar presents himself as a figure who ends up humanizing the Penguin, bringing a more personal and emotional perspective to the villain. While the Penguin is generally portrayed as a ruthless and threatening figure, Aguilar’s presence and the relationship between the two characters introduce a layer of emotional complexity that seeks to explore the Penguin’s more vulnerable and human side. This aspect is evidenced through the interaction between Aguilar and Cobblepot, where a dynamic unfolds that reveals more about the Penguin’s motivations and insecurities.
However, this approach to humanization can be seen as a negative point by some viewers. By making the Penguin more “human,” the series may inadvertently soften or dilute the impact and threat that the character represents. The Penguin, as a villain, is more effective and memorable when presented as a formidable and relentless force in Gotham’s underworld. The introduction of a relationship that explores his weaknesses and vulnerabilities may make him seem less threatening and more understandable, which can diminish the character’s intensity and complexity as a main threat. The interaction between Victor Aguilar and the Penguin, while adding a new dimension to the story, can also alter the perception of the villain. By showing the Penguin’s more personal and emotional side, the series can transform a villain who was originally enigmatic and intimidating into someone who is more understandable and perhaps more relatable.
For some fans, this change may weaken the perception of the Penguin as a true threat, in contrast to the more feared and dominant image presented in The Batman. The Penguin establishes itself as a positive point for Matt Reeves’ universe, enriching and expanding the narrative that began with The Batman. The series maintains the dark and complex atmosphere of Gotham City, providing a visual and thematic continuity that pleases fans and deepens the understanding of the city’s underworld.
With impressive cinematography and a setting faithful to the film’s noir style, The Penguin not only complements but also significantly expands the Gotham universe. The series offers a new perspective on the Penguin, exploring his rise to power and his interactions with characters like Victor Aguilar, who introduces a more personal and emotional dimension to the villain. Although this may slightly soften the threat that the Penguin represents, it also enriches the narrative with additional complexity and depth.
Furthermore, The Penguin leaves some loose ends and paves the way for future explorations within this universe, setting the stage for The Batman 2, which is scheduled to premiere on October 2, 2026. The connections and revelations made in the series promise to influence and interlink the film’s continuity, offering fans a richer and more interconnected experience. Thus, The Penguin not only strengthens the universe created by Matt Reeves but also contributes to building expectations and excitement around the anticipated sequel, keeping the Gotham universe in constant evolution and expansion.
The Penguin releases on Max on September 19.
