This Show is For:
- Fans of The Batman
- Anyone who enjoys seeing Colin Farrell do his thing while trapped in what he described as a hellish fat suit
This Show is NOT For:
- Those looking for a superhero show
- Watchers that are tired of gritty Batman reboots
The Penguin – Episode 1 Spoiler Free Review
I had many feelings after watching The Batman: Movies are getting too long, damn this is visually impressive, and wow they underutilized Colin Farrell. Then, to my delight, a spinoff series for Farrell’s Penguin was announced! Of course, with strikes, general delays, and the shitshow that is Warner Brothers Discovery, it seemed like The Penguin might never make it to the small screen. Well, here, in the Fall of 2024, the show has finally arrived, and it’s pretty damned incredible.
Farrell is somehow funny, menacing, and unhinged all in the same breath. Oswald (The Penguin) can go from a lovely conversation with an old friend to hiding a corpse within seconds. This unpredictability drives what could have otherwise been a slow pilot. I was expecting a little more action for a Batman spinoff, but I was surprised to find The Penguin didn’t need it. Yes, there are a few fights, but most of the pilot is spent in tense conversations between characters that may or may not kill each other in the near future.
This quiet, slow burn gives every character the chance to shine, and shine they do. Aside from Farrell’s magnificent Penguin, I was surprised and delighted by Cristin Milioti’s Sofia Falcone. I’ve never seen her in a role like this, and I love it. In a series that will no doubt be full of villains, she holds her own and gives Penguin a run for his money. Rhenzy Feliz also proves a perfect sidekick. His wide-eyed upstart criminal is a needed counterweight to Penguin’s deranged antics.
I can’t wait for more episodes to drop. For fans of The Batman, I highly recommend this show. It has the same slow-burn sensibilities and shines a spotlight on one of that film’s greatest characters. New episodes of The Penguin premiere Sundays on MAX (formerly HBO Max, Formerly HBO Go, formerly just HBO) with the next episode dropping on 9/29.
4.5/5 – Farrell’s Penguin is on its way to entering the hall of greats (where I assume Danny DeVito is serving drinks)
Psst, I’ve got a new novella available for Pre-Order, Lake of the Damned. It’s only $1.99 on Kindle, or free if you have Kindle Unlimited. It tells the story of campers fighting for their lives as an evil rises from a nearby lake. My goal was to create a campy horror story with equal parts terror and delight.
https://www.amazon.com/Lake-Damned-Ashton-Macaulay-ebook/dp/B0DH97NN71
Ashton Macaulay 