The Penguin Review: HBO Batman spinoff series is criminally good

The streaming frenzy that consumed Covid-era Hollywood may be gone, but studios are still making big bets on household names. The latest is HBO’s The Penguin, a 2022 TV spin-off of The Batman that continues the story of Oswald Cobb, played by Colin Farrell.

In the aftermath of the events of the film, Gotham City’s criminal underworld finds itself in a power vacuum following the death of gangster Carmine Falcone. Oswald, an underling trusted by Falcone but belittled by his successor, sees his opportunity to pit the city’s major crime families against each other and seize the throne.

Commissioned for eight episodes that will lead to a planned Batman sequel, it reflects the style of a classic HBO drama. From the suggestion that Gotham City is set in New Jersey, to the Italian-American accent Farrell uses, The Sopranos couldn’t have been far from its creators’ minds in this crime drama that packs a punch. It portrays the would-be villain as almost Shakespearean, using his image of a tough but subservient gangster to cover up how smart he is and plots his way to the top.

It’s a great performance from Farrell, unrecognizable not only under a mountain of makeup, but in ways that draw on mafia classics of the past. There’s a grin at the end of every line that reminds you that he can’t be trusted, but you’re still willing for him to outsmart his rivals. He has an endearing bond with Rhenzy Feliz as Vic, a street urchin who works for Cobb; while Cristin Milioti is unnerving as Sofia Falcone, a descendant of Oswald’s old boss with a vengeful streak.

A comic book show for people who don’t like comic books, The Penguin uses the rich history of the Batman rogues gallery to create a spin-off that is truly immersive, rather than just streaming content.

New episodes of The Penguin air every week on Sky Atlantic and Now.