The Penguin, Gotham’s finest tale of treachery, backstabbing, and enough sadistic ambitions to make Shakespeare sit up and take notes. You’ll see more double-crosses than at a fencing match, and we wouldn’t have it any other way. But don’t let the gritty Gotham setting fool you—this series has a swagger and dark humor that’ll keep you grinning through the grimness.
If there’s a “Most Unrecognizable Actor” award, Colin Farrell deserves it. His Oz Cobblepot (aka Penguin) isn’t just about the prosthetics—Farrell is the Penguin, complete with a swaggering, old-school gangster vibe that would make Marlon Brando sweat. He’s brutal, ambitious, and has an edge so sharp you might just cut yourself. Watching him navigate Gotham is like watching a chess master at work—if that chess master had no qualms about shoving pawns off the board.
Vic is played by Rhenzy Feliz, our underdog turned full-on gangster, follows a classic Padawan arc. Starting out as Oz’s bumbling apprentice, he goes from “I can’t do this” to “I run this,” channeling his inner ganglord in true Gotham fashion. His story around losing his home and learning to survive gives us a bit of heart, but let’s be honest—this guy was always destined to be more Darth Vader than Luke Skywalker.
If Sophia doesn’t make you shiver, are you even watching? Played by Cristin Millioti, she starts as a slick, grounded villain, but little by little, her inner crazy starts seeping out. She’s less “clown princess” and more “hardbody bruiser,” dripping with a menacing allure that’s equally magnetic and terrifying. It’s a slow, simmering boil of insanity, and it works.
Cast has Mark Strong, Carmen Ejogo, Theo Rossi and many more. All fantastic performances.
Cinematography? Pure gold. Gotham is bathed in a sepia-toned haze that looks like the crew slapped on a “Cancun in 2005” filter. Every scene has that just-came-from-the-beach glow, but it oddly works for the grimy underbelly of Gotham. Who knew the city of bats and crime lords needed a little sun-kissed glow?
The Penguin’s butter comes in the form of its characters. Ah, Mama Cobblepot, a super-gangster in her own right. This lady’s no delicate flower; she’s the backbone of Oz’s grit, and every scene she’s in is a masterclass in intimidation. If Oz is Gotham’s kingpin, she’s the queen pulling the strings. Their relationship has more layers than an onion, with twists that reveal just how much she’s molded her son. Their connection? Deep, dark, and gloriously dysfunctional.
Our boy Oz is no dummy—he’s a genius in the art of manipulation, pitting the Falcones and Maronis against each other like he’s playing 3D chess. He’s got mind games on lock, using his slimy charm and ruthless tactics to keep everyone guessing. And trust, this isn’t the PG version of family drama—this is two gangster dynasties ripping each other to shreds, complete with poison gas and fiery betrayals, which brings us to the savagery of the show.
Now, let’s talk death scenes. Sofia’s “gas-leaking” the entire Falcone family was poetic justice with a touch of horror. And Oz burning down the Maroni family? Cinematic chaos! These aren’t your garden-variety crime scenes; these are Shakespearean in their brutality, each death darkly mesmerizing in its gruesomeness.
The grand finale is a perfect, emotional send-off. Oz’s journey comes full circle, with twists and revelations that pack an emotional punch. If you don’t feel a pang of empathy for the guy by the end, even with all his dark deeds, check your pulse.
All in all, The Penguin is an incredible, darkly humorous ride through Gotham’s underbelly. With Colin Farrell leading a cast of mobsters, maniacs, and master manipulators, it’s a must-watch for anyone who loves a gritty, funny, and devilishly clever tale of a villain at the top of his game.
