The Penguin (2024) series brings to the small screen the backstory of the gangster Oz Cobb aka Penguin (Colin Farrell). Recently, we saw Oz in “The Batman” (2022) movie.
It is worth noting that “The Penguin” (2024) is a genuine standalone series that appeals to viewers who may not have any background knowledge of Batman. However, both Matt Reeves (writer and director of The Batman film) and Lauren LeFranc (writer of The Penguin series) intentionally created it to link The Batman (2022) film and the anticipated sequel, The Batman Part II (2026) film. So, it is a tale of a crude and vicious gangster.
“The Penguin” Chronicles The Rise Of This Ruthless And Manipulative Gangster In Batman’s Gotham City
Spoiler Free Review: The Penguin (2024/USA) Limited Mini-Series
The trailer
The synopsis
After the events depicted in The Batman (2022) movie, Oz Cobb, known as the Penguin (Colin Farrell), is poised to take charge of Gotham’s criminal landscape. This next chapter in The Batman saga focuses on The Penguin aka Oz Cobb’s ambitions for power and supremacy in Gotham City.
We loved this deep dive into The Penguin’s personal history by LeFranc
Ozz is not a likeable character in the show. Being a despicable gangster, the Penguin is as vile as one can imagine. Or perhaps, he might shock you with his loathsome acts in the show. Born and raised in a poor neighbourhood, he (possibly motivated by his Oedipus-like love for his mother) always dreamt of making it big in the world of crime. Notwithstanding his physical scars and disabilities, his scheming brain always stays two steps ahead.
Did the Penguin rise to the top of the crime world?
“Matt Reeves came up with the Scarface story, a rise to power. I turned it into a psychological character study of this man. Mobsters historically are larger than life, so there is that slightly elevated quality to it, but he’s just a man. A very complicated man. This is what differentiates him from previous versions of the Penguin in the comics, where he comes from a wealthy, well-known family.
Lauren LeFranc | Writer & Show Developer
Matt (Reeves) had already made him an underdog in that he was number two to Carmine Falcone in the film, but we didn’t know anything about his family. So it was important to me that he comes from nothing, and he’s really aching to get more status and be seen as more important.”
We also loved the character of Sofia Falcone emphatically written by LeFranc
The patriarchy rules the world of crime, especially in Gotham City. Oppressed by her family’s and society’s deeply entrenched patriarchism, Sofia Falcone (Cristin Milioti) tries very hard to free herself of shackles. One could feel her seething rage within her, as Sofia Falcone tries to smash the patriarchy to pieces. But, can she contain her fury and maintain her cool mind to beat her criminal adversaries?
Did Sofia succeed in her plans?
Top-class acting by two leading stars – Colin Farrell & Cristin Milioti
We have seen Colin Farrell (Oz Cobb/The Penguin) in so many movies, but his make-up, body language, dialogue delivery and mannerisms in this show (and The Batman) are too impressive. He is almost unrecognizable in this crime drama. Not to be left, behind, the actress Cristin Milioti (Sofia Falcone) played her part to perfection. The scenes involving both Colin and Cristin were the highlights of the show. They went toe to toe in it. In addition, we liked the performances by Rhenzy Feliz (Victor Aguilar), Deirdre O’Connell (Francis Cobb), Carmen Ejogo (Eve Karlo) and the rest of the ensemble cast.
The poster
Key details
| Genre | Action, Crime, Drama |
| Original Language | English (USA) |
| Season | One (1) Season |
| Episodes | Eight (8) Episodes |
| Writer | Lauren LeFranc |
| Director | Craig Zobel |
| Taglines | The City Will Be His |
| Cast | Colin Farrell (Oz Cobb/The Penguin), Cristin Milioti (Sofia Falcone), Rhenzy Feliz (Victor Aguilar), Deirdre O’Connell (Francis Cobb), Carmen Ejogo (Eve Karlo), Theo Rossi (Dr Julian Rush), Clancy Brown (Salvatore Maroni), David H. Holmes (Nick Fuchs), Michael Kelly (Johnny Vitti), Shohreh Aghdashloo (Nadia Maroni), Michael Zegen (Alberto Falcone), Robert Lee Leng (Link Tsai), etc. |
| Network | Max |
Spoilers Alert: Summaries of the Eight (8) Episodes of the Limited Series
Episodes Summary
After Hours (S1, E1)
The death of Carmine Falcone and a post-flood crime wave motivates Oz Cobb to fill the power vacuum left in the criminal underworld of Gotham City, while Falcone’s children attempt to keep their family together.
Inside Man (S1, E2)
Sofia works to secure her family’s strength, while Oz attempts to play both the Falcones and Maronis to his advantage.
Bliss (S1, E3)
Oz and Sofia must address the skeletons in their closet as they attempt to control the future of Gotham’s drug trade, while Victor is torn between his new life and what remains of his old one.
Cent’Anni (S1, E4)
Confronting the events that turned her into the Hangman – and led to a decade-long fight for survival in Arkham – Sofia makes plans for a more hopeful future.
In Italy, the common toast to accompany clinking wine glasses is salute, meaning: health. You can also say cent' anni, which wishes all the clinkers 100 years.
Homecoming (S1, E5)
With his nascent operation at stake, Oz makes a desperate move to turn the tables. Meanwhile, Sofia strives to build a new legacy for herself.
Gold Summit (S1, E6)
Despite his enemies’ attempts to smoke him out, Oz seeks to expand his reach in the city. Meanwhile, Victor crosses paths with a former adversary.
Top Hat(S1, E7)
Oz fights to preserve his family and his enterprise, while Sofia makes a shocking discovery.
A Great or Little Thing (S1, E8)
Oz Cobb nears the end of his journey and his power struggle with Sofia reaches a climax, revealing the shocking truths.
Ending Explained
In the end, we witness the rise of “The Penguin aka Oz” to the top of the crime world in Gotham City.
“With Oz, you’re in the city streets, you’re in the grit and the muck and the grime. He’s looking up, wanting to claw his way to the top.”
Lauren LeFranc | Writer & Show Developer
Although, Oz becomes the most powerful gangster, his loved ones (family members) and partners-in-crimes pay a very steep price.
- Almost all the powerful Gang leaders are eliminated, as he has no competition left.
- Later, Oz kills in cold blood his only friend the young boy Victor Aguilar aka Vic.
- Also, Sofia is sent to Arkham once again, as Oz takes away her freedom without pity.
- Lastly, he traps his mother Francis (who is in a vegetative state) inside an ivory tower.
His cruel and sadistic ways shocked us.
And losing his humanity, or any form of humanity, that he had. That was my goal. And my pitch really from day one is this is a “rise to power” story. But it needs to feel like there was a cost to the choices he made and to what he achieved. And he really is living in his own delusion. He’s chosen to keep his mother alive. He’s dancing with Eve who’s dressed as his mother. And he’s creating his own narrative and his own world of what is acceptable — which, I think, is unfortunately strikingly relevant to what a lot of people in our world are doing themselves in positions of power.
Lauren LeFranc | Writer & Show Developer
But Oz is a survivor and a master criminal who will not let anyone stop him from achieving his ambition to rule the crime world as its powerful king.
However, in the closing scene of the final episode, we watch the famous “Batman” signal projected in the sky of Gotham City. So, brace yourself for the big clash.
The rating
| FM Rating | 4.05/5 |
The conclusion
The dark and brooding mood dominates this crime drama. Undoubtedly, the decaying Gotham City sets have been painstakingly recreated for the show. Almost all the characters just fit right in. To sum up, we reiterate that The Penguin is a very well-written, directed, cinematographer, and acted series. We enjoyed watching this limited mini-series.
Also read our recent reviews of the Only Murders In The Building (Season 4/2024) Series and The Lincoln Lawyer (Season 3/2024) Series.
Featured Image- from Right to Left – Colin Farrell (Oz Cobb/The Penguin) & Cristin Milioti (Sofia Falcone).
Poster and Featured Image of The Penguin (2024/USA) Limited Mini-Series | All the videos and pictures are credited to Max.