THE PENGUIN: THE COMPLETE LIMITED SERIES
Studio: DC Studios, Warner Bros. Discovery Television
Label: Warner Bros. Discovery Home Entertainment
Series Debut: HBO, Max – September 19, 2024
Release Date: Digital – November 11, 2024; 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray, Blu-ray, DVD – March 15, 2025
Description: From Warner Bros. Television And DC Studios, The Penguin, starring Colin Farrell, is available to purchase March 18 on physical. The eight-episode limited series is now available to buy digitally in HD and SD, alongside the DVD, Blu-ray and 4K UHD Steelbook formats which are available to pre-order now.
Starring Colin Farrell as Oz Cobb (aka “The Penguin”), the DC Studios series continues filmmaker Matt Reeves’ The Batman epic crime saga that began with Warner Bros. Pictures’ global blockbuster The Batman. Based on characters created for DC by Bob Kane with Bill Finger, The Penguin is produced by Reeves’ 6th & Idaho Productions and Dylan Clark Productions in association with Warner Bros Television, where Reeves and 6th & Idaho are under an overall deal, and DC Studios. Daniel Pipski also serves as executive producer.
Developed by showrunner Lauren LeFranc, the five star-rated series centers on the character played by Farrell in the film, alongside Cristin Milioti (Sofia Falcone), Rhenzy Feliz (Victor Aguilar), Michael Kelly (Johnny Viti), Shohreh Aghdashloo (Nadia Maroni), Deirdre O’Connell (Francis Cobb), Clancy Brown (Salvatore Maroni), James Madio (Milos Grapa), Scott Cohen (Luca Falcone), Michael Zegen (Alberto Falcone), Carmen Ejogo (Eve Karlo) and Theo Rossi (Dr. Julian Rush). The series is executive produced by Matt Reeves, Dylan Clark, Colin Farrell, Lauren LeFranc, who writes and serves as showrunner, Craig Zobel, who directs the first three episodes, and Bill Carraro.
By James Harvey
An enthralling, albeit flawed, crime saga exploring the cost of power in Gotham City, The Penguin is a gripping watch packed with strong twists and superb character work. Spearheaded by incredible performances from Colin Farrell and Cristin Milioti, respectively as The Penguin and Sophia Falcone, there’s plenty to enjoy in this limited series, even if it ultimately doesn’t really have anything much new to say when it comes to mobsters or superheroes. Even so, The Penguin is a welcome return to the world of The Batman and a great choice for viewers looking for an entertaining, grounded crime drama.
Spinning out of the events of 2022’s The Batman, The Penguin finds Oswald “Oz” Cobb (aka The Penguin) seeking to control Gotham City following Carmine Falcone’s death. However, complications quickly arise as Oz’s attempts to legitimize himself among the city’s criminal underworld brings him into direct conflict with Sofia Falcone, Carmine’s daughter, and the Maroni crime family. As opposing sides collide, and Oz sets out to become the city’s next crime lord, a war erupts on the streets unlike anything Gotham has ever seen!
An effective balance of mafioso melodrama and volatile violence, The Penguin is a compelling drama with genuine shocks and surprises littered throughout. However, like the show’s title character, The Penguin‘s lofty ambitions are sometimes beyond its reach and even occasionally ill-fated. Despite the tremendous work in realizing this world and its inhabitants, there are characters and events that feel undeveloped and left behind as this series races excitedly full speed ahead to its (admittedly nail-biting) conclusion.
The Penguin has a lot of plot to waddle through, though sometimes a bit too much, but that thankfully doesn’t pull away too much from the series’ sharp focus from Oz Cobb’s (yeah…) ruthless attempts to claw his way to the top of Gotham City’s criminal underworld. Not every supporting cast member gets the adequate screen-time, though, leading to a few underdeveloped and jumbled motivations along the way, but the end result is still an unquestioned success. Oz and Sofia’s respective quests, and the lengths they’ll go to achieve it, is genuinely compelling story-telling, even if it’s been kinda done before (see: The Sopranos).
As Oz sets out to stake his claim to Gotham’s underworld, he’s forced to face-off against more than a few compelling and cunning adversaries (Clancy Brown’s Sal Maroni is an especially intimidating threat), but it’s not entirely wrong to say his biggest threat is, well, himself. Oz’s inability to control his temper at a crucial moment sets the bulk of Gotham’s criminal world on a path of pain and misery that, really, wouldn’t have happened otherwise. Time and time again, he’s digging himself out of one hole – a hole that he’s deservedly dug entirely for himself, mind you – only to find himself already with a shovel in hand for the next.
Of course, Oz can’t see this, and it’s his delusions of who he is as a person that makes him equally captivating, unpredictable, and deliciously frustrating. While he envisions himself as a man of the people, The Penguin reminds us time and time again that he’s ultimately a brutal, callus gangster. Oz’s self-serving behavior makes him the perfect foil for Sophia, who only wants what she rightfully deserves after being wrongfully shoved away in Arkham Asylum for over a decade by her father, the deceased Carmine Falcone.
The Penguin also dutifully tracks Sofia’s story as well, following her from betrayed victim to vindicated (albeit volatile) villain. Like Farrell with Oz, though without the prosthetics, Milioti embodies the role of Sophia with reckless abandon and total commitment, creating a rich, erratic antagonist (with an incredible wardrobe) who works perfectly off Oz. Oz and Sophia are true wildcards, both of whom will keep viewers on their toes as, really, you can’t quite peg what these two will do next to stake their respective claims.
Also wrapped up in this gang war of Oz’s making is his mother, Francis (played by Deirdre O’Connell), and his freshly acquired protege, Vic (played by Rhenzy Feliz). When it comes to Oz and Francis, it’s a complicated, deep-seated love-hate dynamic that grows increasingly twisted as the limited series progresses, Francis’ dementia worsens, and secrets come to light. As for Vic, he’s someone who knows better than to get involved with organized crime, but sees no other way to make a name for himself. As one can guess, things don’t quite go as Vic expects.
Series director Craig Zobel and writer Lauren LeFranc’s exemplary efforts seriously excel here, creating a crafty crime series with only a small smattering of cracks. As mentioned, some characters get a little lost in the weeds, resulting in a plotline or two fizzling out, but the overall scope and execution is encompassing and exceptional. LeFranc also cleverly positions Oz in such a way that it’s admittedly easy to cheer for this twisted man to claim his dubiously-earned victory, but it becomes increasingly apparent with each episode that him winning the day is unquestionably the worst possible outcome.
There’s something perversely hypnotic watching Oz, unable to think beyond his own self-centered wants, maliciously selling out one person after another to get what he deems is his rightful cut, and watching the reactions and subsequent frantic fallout. And all of this intriguing character work is propelled by exceptional performances by Farrell and Milioti’s and incredible turns from the show’s strong supporting cast, including O’Connell’s brilliant turn as Oz’s struggling mother and Feliz’s compassionate Victor, who brings some desperately needed heart and empathy to the series.
Much like its title character, The Penguin barrels through its bustling plot with a snappy pace that rarely slows. The camera may linger for an extra beat from time to time, but there’s little time to waste as the series tends to throw Oz from one near-death experience to the next in his quest for glory. Laced with sporadic violence and gripping shocks and twists, The Penguin is a heart-pumping, dirty crime drama that fans of The Batman, along with the darker takes on the Caped Crusader, shouldn’t refuse.
For those looking to own The Penguin, Warner Bros. Discovery Home Entertainment has put together a pretty sterling three-disc collection on 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray. When it comes to the audio and video quality, this 4K collection frankly can’t be beat. The video presentation is impressive, bringing to life the dark, grimy streets of Gotham City with fantastic detail and deep, dark shadows. Even Farrell’s fantastic prosthetics hold up in 4K and look just as impressive as ever.
Moving on to the audio quality on Warner Bros. Discovery Home Entertainment’s The Penguin 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray title and, like the video, it’s pretty outstanding. The Dolby Atmos track is a weighty, immersive listen that never falters. Whether it’s the intense action or the quiet dialogue-driven moments, the transfer pulls in viewers with a great, spatial experience.
The special features included on the three-disc 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray collection are actually pretty informative and interesting, even though they don’t really amount to more than studio-provided promotional material. Disc One includes three segments of Inside Gotham: #1 (6:02), #2 (4:28), and #3 (4:57), along with Introducing the Penguin (5:09), The Origin of Oz (4:06), and Welcome to Gotham (4:23). Disc Two continues with Inside Gotham #4 (5:42), #5 (6:28), and #6 (7:43).
Disc three covers the remainder (and holds the majority) of the bonus content, and includes some of the best extras in the bunch. Features include Inside Gotham #7 (8:19) and #8 (8:07), plus Gotham Re-Envisioned (4:45), Becoming the Penguin (3:09), Who Is the Hangman: Portrait of Sofia Falcone (4:03), Hearts of the Penguin (3:54), A Tale of Two Gothams (3:53), and Victor Aguilar: The Making of a Henchman (7:23). For those interested in the process in creating Oz’s phenomenal prosthetics, and want to learn more about Sophia, Vic and Francis, there’s some pretty good material here.
Without question, those looking to own The Penguin on physical media should look no further than the fairly solid 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray release for the best possible experience. While the bonus material really just skims the surface of the production, which was clearly a massive undertaking, there’s still a few cool nuggets here and there and it ultimately makes for fine supplemental material. Given the uneven quality of home media releases these days, it’s a relief to see Warner Bros. Discovery Home Entertainment put in the effort.
A captivating and blistering crime drama, The Penguin is a riveting and rip-roaring look at Oz’s desperate attempts to become Gotham City’s next big crime lord. Addictively packed with startling violence, outrageous twists, and dramatic turns, it can be admittedly hard to look away as criminals clash over their respective claims to the city, though the onscreen savagery might not sit well with some. Anchored by show-stopping turns from both Farrell and Milioti, The Penguin may steer itself into some pretty dark places but nevertheless it’s a thrillingly fun time for crime and DC Comics fans. Highly Recommended!
Please note Warner Bros. Discovery Home Entertainment provided a copy of The Penguin: The Complete Limited Series on 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray for the purposes of this review.
Videos
Image Gallery
“The Penguin – Soundtrack from the HBO Original Series” available on Digital from WaterTower Music
“The Penguin” available in Print and on Digital, and in single-issue or collected format, from DC Comics
Watch “The Batman” to see what happened before “The Penguin!”
Click the image above for more on “The Batman!”
Check out The Penguin’s animated appearances by clicking the images below!
Get more video content at The World’s Finest’s YouTube channel!
