We’ve had so many iterations of the Batman saga in the movies and on TV over the years that when we hear about a limited series titled, “The Penguin,” it’s only natural to ask: Now which Penguin is this, and which Batman is he connected to, and where are we along the timeline?
Happy to explain the menu. This eight-chapter HBO release created by Lauren LeFranc is set one week after the events of Matt Reeves’ 2022 feature “The Batman,” with an all but unrecognizable Colin Farrell reprising his role from the film as one Oz “The Penguin” Cobb. This is a dark, gritty, grounded crime drama; don’t expect any appearances by costumed heroes materializing in the night to save the day.
It’s not quite the Penguin’s origin story, as he was already established as a monstrous villain in the Reeves film, but it is the saga of the Penguin’s rise from mid-level mob underboss to a prime candidate to take over criminal operations in Gotham City. With suitably noirish direction and cinematography, a doomsday score from Mick Giacchino and outstanding performances by Farrell and the entire cast, “The Penguin” makes for gripping, engrossing television.
Taking cues from influences ranging from 1940s gangster films such as “White Heat,” the “Godfather” saga and in particular “The Sopranos” and Tony’s complex and twisted relationship with his controlling and cruel mother, “The Penguin” opens with much of Gotham underwater after the Riddler detonated a series of bombs that destroyed the seawall surrounding the city’s perimeter. This cataclysmic event has heightened the tensions between the citizens who are scraping by in the underprivileged neighborhoods that have all been but destroyed, and the fat cats still enjoying the high life in the ritzier sections of the city.
The death of the crime boss Carmine Falcone (played by Mark Strong in flashbacks, taking over the role played by John Turturro in the film), sets off a power struggle for control of the underworld, and Oz seizes this chance to make his power grab, first with a murder of opportunity and then by a series of strategic moves and duplicitous deal-making and scheming. Oz will say or do anything to finally be seen as someone to be reckoned with, someone who is more than just a crude and oafish oddball with the pronounced limp that has earned him the derisive sobriquet of “The Penguin.”
Farrell is nothing short of brilliant, conveying so much with his eyes and his growling, heavily “New Yawk” line readings, but it can be argued that the most dazzling performance in the series comes from Cristin Milioti as Sofia Falcone, the only daughter of Carmine, who once had Oz as her personal chauffeur. Milioti does chillingly effective work as Sofia, a convicted serial killer known as the Hangman who recently has been released from the overcrowded Arkham Asylum after serving 10 hellish years for crimes she claims she didn’t commit.
With her sophisticated demeanor, Louboutin heels, pixie haircut, goth makeup and stylish ensembles, Sofia looks she should be on a red carpet or singing pop tunes, but she is a stone-cold psycho who thirsts for revenge against those who wronged her like a vampire craves blood.
Another key player is Rhenzy Feliz’ Victor Aguilar, a good-hearted but troubled teen whose family was wiped out by the floods and who is taken under Oz’ wing, and let’s just say that’s probably not the best internship if you want keep blood off your hands. The always terrific Carmen Ejogo elevates a somewhat underwritten role as Eve, a sex worker who is the closest thing Oz has ever had to a girlfriend. Seasoned and talented actors including Clancy Brown, Michael Kelly, Theo Rossi and Shohreh Aghdashloo also provide valuable contributions. This is a TV series with A-list feature film casting.
Oz fears no one except his domineering mother, Francis (Deirdre O’Connell).
HBO
And then there’s Ma.
The Tony Award-winning actress Deirdre O’Connell pulls out all the stops and practically burns down the house as Oz’ domineering and mentally ill mother, Francis. Even though Oz has no qualms about murdering anyone who stands in his way, he is reduced to a quivering puddle of neediness in the presence of his manipulative, demanding mother. Maybe this is an origins story for the Penguin after all, reaching all the way back to a dark, weird, profoundly unhappy childhood. Mom was doing a number on Oz from the start.