The debut episode of “The Penguin,” a spin-off from the movie “The Batman,” has been released to rave reviews from both critics and audiences alike. This might just be the nudge you need to start watching the series if you haven’t already.
Highly anticipated, the series finally premiered on the MAX platform, delighting Batman and DC Comics fans. “The Penguin,” directed by Matt Reeves and starring Robert Pattinson and Zoë Kravitz, expands the universe introduced in the film two years prior. The eight-episode series centers on Oswald Cobblepot, also known as the Penguin, played by Colin Farrell. It explores his rise in Gotham’s criminal underworld, positioning itself somewhere between “The Sopranos” and “Marvel’s Daredevil.”
- “The Penguin”: How does the Batman spin-off starring Colin Farrell measure up?
The first episode, which dropped on September 20, has already won over audiences, judging by the numerous comments on AlloCiné.
“Smells Like a Hit”
So far, AlloCiné members have given “The Penguin” an average rating of 4 out of 5 based on the first episode. Vador Mir (3.5/5) states: “Colin Farrell is outstanding, and the makeup for his character is phenomenal. The atmosphere is meticulously crafted.”
Meanwhile, Sulli Malim (5/5) usually “doesn’t judge based on a first episode”, but admits that “The Penguin” “definitely feels like a gem! Visually stunning, you get a full blast of this beautifully dark Gotham! Is HBO synonymous with quality? Absolutely!”
Naughty Dog (4/5) believes it’s “a truly successful spin-off series, supported by a fantastic cast, all without any fan-service (self-contained story)!”
Social media users have also shared their excitement for this first episode of “The Penguin.”
“A Delightful Surprise”
The press has also been enthusiastic about “The Penguin,” with Ecran Large (4/5) viewing this spin-off as a perfect continuation of Matt Reeves’ film:
“Darker and more radical than it seems, ‘The Penguin’ is an ideal continuation of ‘The Batman.’ It not only maintains the coherence of the universe created by Matt Reeves but also introduces its own stakes and unique perspective on this desperate Gotham City. A delightful surprise.”
Première (3.5/5) highlights the performances of its lead actors, Colin Farrell and Cristin Milioti:
“While not quite reaching the heights of Matt Reeves’ Batman, this spin-off focused on the Dark Knight’s foe stands out for its frantic narrative and two strong performances: Colin Farrell, voracious in the title role, and an impressive Cristin Milioti.”
The press also warns viewers that “The Penguin” is a talkative crime drama, a gangster series that doesn’t necessarily rely on constant action, even though it is overall very compelling, especially for Le Parisien (3/5):
“Action scenes are sorely missing in this very talkative series, filled with lengthy dialogues between gangsters and sociopaths. It’s best suited for fans of crime dramas…”
It remains to be seen if the internet audience will remain as enthusiastic throughout the series. We’ll have to wait until the weekly episodes conclude with the eighth and final episode airing on November 11 on MAX.
The first episode of “The Penguin” series is now available on the MAX platform.
