Following strong early buzz and anticipation, The Penguin has debuted with promising reviews from critics, earning solid scores on Rotten Tomatoes and Metacritic. The new DC series continues the story from The Batman, with Colin Farrell reprising his role as Oswald Cobb. This gritty crime drama is quickly gaining attention for its grounded portrayal of Gotham’s criminal underworld.
DC’s The Penguin reviews praise Colin Farrell and more
Critics are praising DC’s The Penguin, highlighting its dark and gritty take on Gotham’s crime world.
Colin Farrell’s performance as Oswald “Oz” Cobb stands out, with Jonathan Sim of ComingSoon noting that Farrell is “splendid in this iteration of The Penguin” and credits his transformation to both his acting and the makeup team’s efforts, making him “completely unrecognizable.”
Luke Y. Thompson from SuperHeroHype calls Colin Farrell’s portrayal of Oz “a masterpiece of both makeup and performance.” He describes the show as a gritty, Sopranos-style crime drama, with “fun” machinations despite its predictable outcome. The rivalry between Cobb and Sofia Falcone (Cristin Milioti) adds depth to the power struggle in Gotham.
Variety described the series as “twisted, disturbing, and deeply enthralling,” showcasing its ability to captivate audiences with a crime drama edge.
Jacob Fisher of Discussing Film awarded the series five stars, emphasizing its superiority among current comic book adaptations on television. CinemaBlend’s Sean O’Connell praised Farrell’s work as “incredible,” and Simon Thompson called it “one of [his] favorite shows of the year.” Darren Mooney noted the show’s tone, comparing it to The Sopranos in its complex storytelling.
The Penguin has started strong with solid ratings on both Rotten Tomatoes and Metacritic.
The series holds a Certified Fresh rating with an 89% score on Rotten Tomatoes, praised for its grounded portrayal of Gotham’s crime world and strong performances by Colin Farrell and Cristin Milioti. On Metacritic, the series has a score of 69, indicating generally favorable reviews.
Set to premiere on September 19, The Penguin continues the story of Oswald Cobb as he seeks control in Gotham City following the events of The Batman. With its dark and gritty crime saga, the series draws comparisons to classic gangster dramas and further expands Matt Reeves’ vision of Gotham.
As more reviews come in, these scores may shift, but the initial response suggests The Penguin is poised to be a significant addition to the DC Universe.
