Colin Farrell’s "The Penguin" Surpasses "The Batman" in Ratings: Critics Are Enthralled by This Gritty Crime Spin-Off
The highly anticipated series The Penguin, starring Colin Farrell, has already made waves in the entertainment world, even before its official premiere on HBO on September 19, 2024. Set in the same universe as Matt Reeves' The Batman (2022), this spin-off delves deep into the criminal underworld of Gotham City, focusing on one of its most notorious villains, Oswald Cobblepot, better known as the Penguin.
With early screenings now complete, critics have given The Penguin glowing reviews, praising its compelling narrative, complex characters, and Farrell's transformative performance. Garnering a 93% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, The Penguin has outperformed its predecessor, The Batman, which holds a respectable 85% on the same platform.
A Dark, Complex Exploration of Gotham’s Underbelly
The Penguin has been hailed as more than just a mere continuation of the Batman universe. It is a crime drama that stands on its own, offering a deeply immersive exploration of power, corruption, and survival in Gotham's gritty criminal underworld. The series picks up shortly after the events of The Batman, focusing on Cobblepot’s rise to power in the chaos left by the fall of Carmine Falcone, Gotham’s former crime lord.
Aramid Tinubu from Variety praised the show for its "masterful exploration of crime," calling it "a tangled, uncomfortable, and mesmerizing tale." Tinubu was especially impressed by Farrell’s portrayal of Cobblepot, noting how the actor’s physical transformation, aided by extensive prosthetics and makeup, makes him a "pathetic yet terrifying" figure. Farrell’s performance, combined with the show’s intricate storytelling, creates a character that is as pitiable as he is fearsome.
A Batman Series Without Batman? No Problem
One of the most surprising aspects of The Penguin is its ability to captivate audiences without Batman himself ever making an appearance. Lauren LeFranc, the showrunner, has crafted a narrative that doesn’t rely on the Caped Crusader’s presence, much to the surprise of many viewers. Glen Weldon from NPR compared The Penguin to The Sopranos, describing it as "a psychological drama wrapped in mafia clothing," delivering both "thrills and more esoteric, intellectual satisfaction."
Weldon argued that despite the absence of Batman, The Penguin still manages to be one of the year’s best shows, thanks to its intense character studies and focus on the power dynamics within Gotham’s criminal elite. The psychological depth of the series sets it apart from other superhero-adjacent content, offering a more mature and intellectually stimulating experience.
Not All Critics Are Convinced
However, not all reactions to The Penguin have been overwhelmingly positive. Some critics felt that while the show succeeds in many areas, it falls short in others. Alan Sepinwall from Rolling Stone expressed disappointment, describing The Penguin as "a mafia drama overloaded with bloody carnage but lacking in the depth and believability needed to carry its central character through the chaos."
Sepinwall took issue with Farrell’s portrayal of Oswald Cobblepot, calling him "a bitter, violent, and two-dimensional character" whose constant outmaneuvering of his rivals becomes tiresome after a while. He argued that the character lacks the depth necessary to hold the audience’s interest for extended periods of time, making it difficult to justify the show’s heavy focus on Cobblepot.
Despite these criticisms, even Sepinwall acknowledged the show’s impressive production values and the skill with which it builds the world of Gotham. While The Penguin may not be perfect in his eyes, there is no denying that it presents a compelling and visually striking portrait of Gotham’s seedy underworld.
The Supporting Cast Shines
While Colin Farrell’s portrayal of the Penguin is undoubtedly the centerpiece of the show, the supporting cast also plays a significant role in elevating the series. One standout is Cristin Milioti, who plays Sofia Falcone, the daughter of Carmine Falcone and a formidable rival to Cobblepot in his quest for power.
Daniel Fienberg from The Hollywood Reporter lauded Milioti’s performance, calling her portrayal of Sofia "breathtaking." According to Fienberg, Milioti manages to create a character who is both tragic and terrifying, a woman whose time in prison has only made her more dangerous. Sofia, as portrayed by Milioti, embodies the duality of Gotham itself—a city that is as much a victim of its own corruption as it is a breeding ground for the very evil it seeks to combat.
Fienberg went on to describe Milioti’s Sofia as "the beating heart of Gotham’s darkness," a character who, despite her villainy, evokes both sympathy and fear in equal measure. This depth and complexity are what make The Penguin more than just a standard crime drama; it is a character-driven story that probes the moral ambiguities of its world.
A New High for Gotham’s Expanding Universe
With The Penguin, HBO continues to expand the Gotham universe, demonstrating that there is more to explore beyond Batman’s iconic rogues' gallery. The show delves into the criminal psychology and social decay that define Gotham, presenting a city that is teetering on the brink of collapse.
Showrunner Lauren LeFranc has taken full advantage of this rich setting, crafting a narrative that explores Gotham’s power struggles, from its elite criminal families to its street-level thugs. In doing so, she has created a show that feels both expansive and intimate, offering a portrait of a city in which every character is fighting for survival.
While The Batman laid the groundwork for this world, The Penguin takes it to new heights, focusing on the systemic corruption and the individuals who thrive within it. The show offers a new lens through which to view Gotham, one that is less about heroism and more about the gritty realities of power and control.
What’s Next for Gotham?
As The Penguin prepares to officially debut, the question on many fans' minds is what comes next for this dark and gritty version of Gotham. With the success of both The Batman and The Penguin, it seems likely that HBO will continue to explore this world, possibly through additional spin-offs or even a second season for Cobblepot’s story.
Rumors have already begun circulating about potential future projects, with some speculating that characters like Selina Kyle (Catwoman) or Edward Nygma (The Riddler) could be next in line for their own spin-offs. While nothing has been confirmed, the success of The Penguin has undoubtedly opened the door for further exploration of Gotham’s most infamous characters.
For now, fans can look forward to experiencing The Penguin in all its dark and twisted glory when it premieres on September 19, 2024. With its complex characters, intricate storytelling, and stunning visuals, The Penguin is poised to become one of the standout shows of the year, cementing Gotham’s place as one of the most compelling fictional worlds on television.
Conclusion: A Triumph for Gotham’s Villains
The Penguin marks a significant achievement for both HBO and the broader Batman universe. It manages to stand on its own as a compelling crime drama, while also expanding the mythos of Gotham City. Colin Farrell delivers a career-defining performance as Oswald Cobblepot, bringing both menace and vulnerability to the role.
While some critics, like Alan Sepinwall, may have reservations about the show’s pacing and character depth, the overwhelming majority of early reviews suggest that The Penguin is a triumph. It offers a fresh perspective on the world of Gotham, focusing on the criminals who shape the city’s destiny, rather than the heroes who seek to save it.