By: Michelle Gómez.
Penguin is all that and more! Last Sunday, November 10, we saw the long-awaited finale of the miniseries created by Lauren LeFranc and starring Colin Farrell, exclusive to the MAX platform. And don’t worry: for those who haven’t seen it, this article is spoiler-free and may help you decide whether to jump into the story.
To recap, The Penguin shows us Oswald Cobblepot, who, after the events in The Batman (2022), faces the challenge of becoming the new king of Gotham. However, it won’t be an easy task. With the Falcone and Maroni empires dominating the city, the real question is: how will Oswald, from being a nobody, rise to claim Gotham’s criminal throne? His constant struggle to become someone important leads him to try to make a place for himself in a world where even the mob leaders don’t seem to consider him. Oswald has a personal promise: he not only wants to be somebody, but to become a leader who represents those who, like him, come from below. Added to this is the meddling of Sofia Falcone, the new head of the Falcone family, who, played mesmerizingly by Cristin Milioti, has just been released from the Arkham asylum, bringing with her a presence that is hard to ignore.
Still not interested? Keep reading
The Penguin immerses us in the dark underworld of Gotham’s mafias, where each episode surprises us with unexpected alliances, betrayals and survival strategies in a ruthless world. The most exciting part of the series is watching how Oswald Cobblepot, our cunning Penguin, navigates the complex criminal networks, facing a myriad of problems and always finding an ingenious way out, even when his life hangs in the balance. His ingenuity and methodical thinking make him a fascinating character, especially when he is aided by his new ward, Victor Aguilar (played by Rhenzy Feliz), a young man from the streets who, like Oswald, dreams of becoming somebody.
Lead performances by Colin Farrell and Cristin Milioti
This series delights us with spectacular performances. Colin Farrell and Cristin Milioti completely transform into their characters, making it difficult to remember that they are completely different people off-screen. Farrell, known for his film roles, completely changes his physical appearance and voice, showing us an unrecognizable and absolutely convincing Oswald Cobblepot. On the other hand, Cristin Milioti, known for her cheerful and charismatic personality, gives life to an irresistible and admirable villain. Her character Sofia Falcone brings not only intensity, but also an iconic style that makes you want to see her on screen longer.
A true justice for DC fans
It’s well known that Batman has one of the best galleries of villains, each with an addictively disturbing backstory. However, DC’s house has struggled in recent years to harness the full potential of these characters. We tend to see the same antagonists in every Batman movie, and it was time to explore other villains. The Penguin and Sofia Falcone (also known in the comics as “The Hangman”) represent a breath of fresh air for the Batman universe and a chance to give spotlight to complex characters who deserve their moment in the spotlight.
So what are you waiting for?
With complex characters, a script full of unexpected twists and exceptional performances, The Penguin is a series that no DC fan, or lover of good crime stories, should miss. This is your chance to explore Gotham from a new angle and discover how a character like Oswald Cobblepot, The Penguin, can become a dominant figure in a city as brutal as Gotham. Don’t miss it and, after watching it, let us know what you think!
