The Penguin First Reviews: Colin Farrell's wild performance makes the series a must-watch

Based on the DC Comics character, The Penguin is a TV spinoff of the 2022 superhero blockbuster The Batman with Colin Farrell in the title role. Although the series only premieres on Max on September 19th, early reviews are already calling it one of the best comic book adaptations of all time and quickly labeling it as “Certified Fresh”. Farrell is expected to deliver another outstanding performance as the Penguin, while co-star Cristin Milioti steals the show from the prosthetic-laden actor. Comparisons to other classics of the crime genre are polarizing, as the series tries to stand on its own, but overall it is The Penguin is said to be a must-see miniseries.

What critics say about The Penguin:

Are the expectations met?

It is the best entry into the new DC film universe, exceeding all expectations while laying the foundation for future stories. The Penguin is a miracle.
— Tyler Doster, AwardsWatch

The Penguin is exactly what the fans needed.
— Joshua Ryan, FandomWire

The Penguin comes with subdued expectations … [The] The eight-hour excursion into the mafia foot soldier Oz Cobblepot (aka the Penguin) is competently made and sporadically captivating.
—Dan Einav, Financial Times

The Penguin is a comic series for people who don't like comic series, and as a comic fan, I say that with the utmost respect.
—Kyle Wilson, The Lamplight Review

So it's not just the same old villain backstory?

It would be too simplistic to call it the origin story of a villain.
— Aramide Tinubu, Diversity

The Penguin is not just another supervillain origin story, similar to The Batman was not just another superhero movie.
— Christopher Cross, Asynchronous Media

In the end, The Penguin is the story of a gangster who becomes a boss and the sacrifices he's all too willing to make along the way. That it's so successful may be surprising given its origins as another Batman-without-Batman lump of Warner's intellectual property.
— Glen Weldon, NPR

The Penguin occupies a place in the middle of a subgenre that I can never completely exclude because every now and then there is a Located 1.7 km from Bates Beach, Bates Motel provides accommodation with free WiFi and free private parking. or even a Perry Mason (HBO version), amidst too many entries that never seem necessary.
—Daniel Feinberg, Hollywood Reporter

(Photo by Macall Polay / Max)

Does it remind you of other TV series?

There is no shaking HBO's TheWire And The Sopranos while watching The Penguin.
— Christopher Cross, Asynchronous Media

It is a crime story in the style of The Sopranos with fantastic performances and a captivating visual style.
— Joshua Ryan, FandomWire

It seems right to compare the show with The Sopranos with its portrayal of the inner machinations of organized crime families.
— Tyler Doster, AwardsWatch

My only criticism is that people could see The Penguin as influenced by The Sopranos.
—MN Miller, Geek Vibes Nation

It is a watered down Boardwalk Empire whose main character happens to have some traits in common with a famous personality.
—Alan Sepinwall, Rolling Stone

I am not saying HBO's The Penguin is a variation, but it is the second television series in less than six months in which Colin Farrell plays a character obsessed with the glamour of old Hollywood black-and-white films.
—Daniel Feinberg, Hollywood Reporter

What is the writing like?

The Penguin's writing style is sharp and layered. The themes are eye-openingly complex. The character depth is rich and fully developed.
—MN Miller, Geek Vibes Nation

What unfolds is a largely unpredictable series of events that shake the power structure in Gotham.
— Joshua Ryan, FandomWire

There is a surprising depth in some The Penguin's character work.
— Christopher Cross, Asynchronous Media

Because of the rushed nature of the plot, it is not uncommon for many of the film's best-known supporting actors – Ejogo, Brown, Michael Kelly, Shohreh Aghdashloo and Theo Rossi – to be neglected.
—Daniel Feinberg, Hollywood Reporter

(Photo by Macall Polay / Max)

How about Colin Farrell as the Penguin?

As in The BatmanFarrell's wild, uncompromising performance makes the series a must-see.
— Hoai-Tran Bui, Inverse

He continues to deliver a wonderful, truly transformative performance that is unlike anything he has ever done before.
—Eric Goldman, TVLine

Farrell is once again fantastic in the role of the chaotic character.
— Chase Hutchinson, Collider

Colin Farrell is a tour de force and delivers one of the best comic performances of all time.
— Joshua Ryan, FandomWire

Farrell's Penguin is an absolute masterpiece of both mask and performance, completely absorbed in his character.
— Luke Y. Thompson, SuperHeroHype

Will go down in history as an icon in most comic circles – if there is any justice in this world, it should receive an Emmy-worthy award.
—MN Miller, Geek Vibes Nation

Does anyone else notice this?

While most The Penguin For Farrell and his continued portrayal of the title character, it is Milioti's performance and characterization of Sofia that give the show the foundation it needs to justify its existence.
— Christopher Cross, Asynchronous Media

Milioti’s portrayal of Sofia “The Executioner” Falcone is perfect.
— Joshua Ryan, FandomWire

Milioti is a revelation.
—Kyle Wilson, The Lamplight Review

Milioti impresses in both flashbacks and present-day storylines as her character's backstory is expanded upon, delivering one of the best performances in Batman's screen history.
— Fay Watson, Total Film

The only artist who manages to largely break through all this silliness is Milioti.
—Alan Sepinwall, Rolling Stone

When Milioti isn't on screen, you want her to be there.
— Tyler Doster, AwardsWatch

The rest of the cast is exceptional, including an award-worthy role from Outer area'is Deirdre O'Connell, who is brilliant in the role of Oz's mother, who is battling dementia.
—MN Miller, Geek Vibes Nation

(Photo by Macall Polay / HBO)

How is Gotham City portrayed in the series?

The city of Gotham is also an important character here. By revealing the inner workings of Gotham, from the mayor's office to the underworld of Oz, the series exposes the villainy that manifests and thrives on every level.
— Aramide Tinubu, Diversity

We see a lot more of Gotham City, particularly the poorer neighborhoods struggling to survive in the aftermath. The show picks up on the film's theme of wealth and class differences, and explores the inequality and divide between the elite and the city's residents.
— Cassondra Feltus, Black Girl Nerds

The Penguin fits perfectly into the universe of Reeves' The Batmanand dutifully adds to the lore of this world. We see how Gotham is rebuilt and how the various political factions take hold in the city.
— Hoai-Tran Bui, Inverse

Gotham feels – as it should – like many different cities at once, and is so large that, at least initially, you can understand why Batman might be busy with other things.
— Luke Y. Thompson, SuperHeroHype

Does it look as good as The Batman?

Perhaps the biggest question everyone will ask is The Penguin is whether Farrell's prostheses work as a full meal, after the amuse-beak of The Batman. In this respect The Penguin is truly a conditional triumph.
—Daniel Feinberg, Hollywood Reporter

The Penguin builds on what people loved about The Batman visually and then, when the time is right, goes his own way.
— Jacob Fisher, Discussion about Film

Visually, The Penguin differs slightly from The Batman but not in quality – cinematographers Darran Tiernan, Jonathan Freeman and Zoë White definitely kept up with Greig Fraser's breathtaking camera work.
— Cassondra Feltus, Black Girl Nerds

Darren Tiernan’s camera work is far less interesting or memorable… The Penguin''s considerations on aesthetics remind us that in television, storytelling takes precedence over the technical departments.
— Christopher Cross, Asynchronous Media

(Photo by Macall Polay / Max)

Is this further proof that DC adaptations are in good hands?

The series gives audiences hope that DC Comics and Warner Bros. Discovery will not screw up the franchise.
—MN Miller, Geek Vibes Nation

The Penguin may not be a cure-all for superhero fatigue, but it does provide a powerful dose of medicine to relieve symptoms.
— Glen Weldon, NPR

It expands the world created in Reeves' film and leaves you excited to see what comes next. The Batman Saga… The Penguin is a very, very good sign for Batman – Part 2 and beyond.
— Megan O'Keefe, Decision Maker

There's some shameless fanboy pandering at the very end of the season, suggesting that future Penguin adventures might be more closely tied to the larger Batman mythos. But nods to other seasons and movies don't do much good if the current story isn't exciting in and of itself.
—Alan Sepinwall, Rolling Stone

Thumbnail by Macall Polay / Max
On an Apple device? Follow Rotten Tomatoes on Apple News.