It is already a universal truth in Hollywood that better than being Batman is being an antagonist of the hero on the screen. For decades we have been discussing the actors who take on the mask of the millionaire vigilante – the current one is Robert Pattinson – but in general, we seem to remember the villains even more than the hero. The premiere of the The Penguin series on the MAX platform reinforces this line of thinking.

As always, some have complained about many things in the series, but again in general, there is also unanimous praise for Colin Farrell – literally unrecognizable because of the makeup – as the antagonist known as the Penguin. He appears briefly in the 2022 film, as he is not yet Batman’s main rival (that position belongs to the Riddler, played by Paul Dano), but in the TV miniseries, Oswald Chesterfield Cobblepot (the criminal’s real name) is the big star. Yes, here we go understanding the villains’ motivations to sympathize with them.

Reversing sympathies has been a popular process in Hollywood since the early 2000s, and having a shallow antagonist greatly spoils the success of the work. On TV, the last 25 years have been about antiheroes as protagonists in a complex process of understanding the worst actions taken by them.

The first step to achieving this success is having a charismatic star. Jack Nicholson surprised the world with his role as the Joker in Tim Burton‘s film, but it was Heath Ledger who deservedly won a posthumous Oscar in Christopher Nolan‘s 2009 version. Among Batman‘s villains, the Penguin is one of the most iconic because, unlike many villains who have purely psychopathic or vengeful motivations, the Penguin is usually portrayed as a criminal entrepreneur. The series will show us how he got there.

Obviously, everyone was surprised when Colin Farrell was announced for the role. We immediately knew that he would bring a dense dimension to the role that we see in the film and the series, but physically he couldn’t be further from the mark. Often described as short, stocky, and with a bird-like nose, it would be somewhat difficult to imagine the actor – who is considered handsome – looking so ugly. That’s where the makeup came in.

At first, director Matt Reeves didn’t want to “lose” the actor in a pile of prosthetics and highlight his psychological deformity even more than his physical one, but he finally gave in when he saw what his team could do. The studios and critics were surprised to choose an actor who could be a heartthrob to deform him to the point of forgetting he was him, but Colin Farrell is 100% dedicated to the Art. And no one doubts his chances at the 2025 Emmy for Best Actor.

It’s important to remember that we still don’t see him with a monocle, bowler hat, or tuxedo, and his umbrella only protects him from the rain, not yet hiding weapons and gadgets. Maybe we’ll never get to that version. The relationship between Batman and the Penguin is complex. While many villains see Batman as an enemy to be destroyed, the Penguin often sees him as an obstacle to his business. He prefers to operate in the shadows, using bribes and manipulations to maintain his influence, but he doesn’t hesitate to confront Batman when necessary. Extremely intelligent and cunning. He is a master strategist and a skilled manipulator, capable of planning complex crimes and escaping the clutches of the law.

All of this is in the series The Penguin, where Oz – he hates the nickname that will make him famous – is still looked down upon even by his accomplices. Here we see him beginning to build his criminal empire and we have all the explanations for how he survived being marked by bullying due to his peculiar appearance, which is precisely what motivates him to seek power and respect.

The character has been portrayed in many ways on TV, in movies, and in comics. From the more caricatured and comical version of Burgess Meredith in the 60s TV series, the tragic Danny DeVito in Burton’s version to the darker and more realistic interpretation of Robin Lord Taylor in the Gotham series, the character has evolved but has always maintained his essential characteristics. With Colin Farrell, he promises to become legendary.

The Penguin starts out as a henchman and rises to power through a combination of intelligence, cruelty, and luck. To do so, he takes inspiration from the most iconic mafia figures in pop culture, from Scarface to The Godfather, with touches of Sopranos. The idea is more of a police drama than a comic book story.

In the first episode, Colin Farrell takes our breath away by alternating repressed hatred, cowardice, and violence that alternate in a matter of seconds. Here, “Oz”, as he is better known, is still a mid-level mobster who sees the opportunity to turn the tables after killing his boss and his son, deciding to take over Gotham City’s drug trafficking. His empire will be built on a new drug called Bliss, as well as bribes, blackmail, and murder, of course.

Batman is not even expected to appear yet, even if mentioned here and there. The biggest obstacle for him is the daughter of his former boss, Sofia Falcone (Cristin Milioti), whose psychopathy was identified and “treated” at Arkham Asylum, in other words, it only got worse. Astute, she has already figured out Oz from a distance and will possibly form a lethal alliance with him for the city.

Oz has an oppressive relationship with his mother and accidentally chooses a partner to whom he becomes a father figure: Victor (Rhenzy Feliz), a young immigrant from the poor part of Gotham that was flooded at the end of the 2022 film.

Basically, the pilot makes us understand a little more about the Penguin’s ambitions and determination, but it is uncertain how much we will be surprised in eight episodes. There is a risk of dragging on. Everything rests on Colin’s shoulders. Will he be able to do it? I’m rooting for him.

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