The Penguin Episode 1 Review: I haven’t watched a single episode of Gotham—apologies for the oversight—so I have no idea how a show set in Batman’s universe would work without The Dark Knight. I’ve seen plenty of Spider-Man universe films without Spidey that were dreadful, so I had to approach The Penguin with some apprehensions. I shouldn’t. With a great cast, a director skilled in crafting good drama, and a solid writing team, you might just forget Batman ever existed in Gotham. So, let’s talk about the first episode of The Penguin, “After Hours,” now streaming on Max and in India on JioCinema. Colin Farrell Opens Up About His ‘Hypnotic’ Experience Playing The Penguin in New Series, Describes It As ‘Strange’.
The Penguin picks up immediately after the events of the 2022 film The Batman. With Carmine Falcone killed by The Riddler, the mob family is looking to his children to take over the Falcone empire. Carmine’s ‘general’, Oswald Cobblepot (Colin Farrell), is trying to find his place in the power vacuum, leading him to commit a murder that could have dire consequences if discovered.
The rest of the episode revolves around Cobblepot’s attempts to cover up his crime. Along the way, he acquires a sidekick in the form of a young carjacker, Victor Aguilar (Rhenzy Feliz), whom he enlists to help him hide the body. We also gain insight into Cobblepot’s character and his standing in the Falcone family, now that Carmine’s psychopathic daughter, Sofia (Cristin Milioti), is on the scene.
Watch the Trailer of ‘The Penguin’:
The first episode of The Penguin is light on action, though there are two murders by gunfire and a man is brutally run down by a school bus. The focus here is more on drama, and if you’re a fan of The Sopranos, you’ll likely enjoy the world-building of the crime-bosses of Gotham. The show is visually striking, with top-notch production design and cinematography.
A Still From The Penguin
It certainly helps that the incredible Colin Farrell (who is long overdue for an Oscar) portrays this universe’s Penguin. The grounded nature of his character makes him less cartoonish for a series based on comic books, yet the creators cleverly nod to the original supervillain persona, such as Cobblepot’s limp evolving into Penguin’s signature waddle. It’s remarkable how Farrell manages to convey so much emotion through heavy prosthetics—credit to the makeup department for their excellent work. SDCC 2024: Matt Reeves Confirms Colin Farrell’s Return as The Penguin in ‘The Batman Part II’; Shooting Kicks Off in 2025.
A Still From The Penguin
The first episode explores three key relationships in Cobblepot’s life: his role as an unlikely mentor to Victor, his uneasy alliance with Sofia, and his care for his dementia-stricken mother (Deirdre O’Connell). These dynamics allow us to glimpse the human side of this notorious supervillain while also hinting at why the Falcone family should be wary of this limping man. There’s menace, there is fear, there is scheming and there is love, a whole package to unroll here.
Cristin Milioti delivers a sinister performance as the brutal, sadistic Sofia Falcone, and it’s easy to understand why Cobblepot flinches whenever she’s near. He gets a taste of her cruelty firsthand at the episode’s climax, though his cunning saves him, allowing him to live to see another day—and return for the next episode with his new apprentice.
‘The Penguin’ Episode 1 Review – Final Thoughts
The Penguin kicks off with a promising blend of gritty drama, character-driven tension, and just enough nods to its comic book roots to keep fans intrigued. Colin Farrell is undoubtedly the show’s strongest asset, delivering a nuanced performance that keeps you hooked, even in quieter moments, while Cristin Milioti is plenty menacing as the deranged mob-boss. The first episode of The Penguin is streaming on Max and JioCinema.
(The above story first appeared on Today News 24 on Sep 20, 2024 06:25 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website todaynews24.top).