(may contain spoilers)
Douban rating: 8.7
Director: Craig Zobel, Helen Shaver, Kevin Bray, Jennifer Getzinger
Starring: Colin Farrell, Cristin Milioti, Rhenzy Feliz
Douban Comments: “This feels like the show of the year! Colin Farrell’s acting is absolutely top-notch. As the Penguin, he commits all sorts of crimes – arson, murder, theft, and framing others – basically, pure evil. Yet somehow, you still sense a glimmer of kindness and vulnerability deep inside him. The story is intense and full of suspense, with even the dialogue scenes carrying an undercurrent of tension. In the small details, you can feel the desperation of someone from the bottom of society, left with no other choices.”
“The final episode was incredible, with textbook-level character foreshadowing. I had a hunch about the mother’s storyline, but I never saw Victor’s ending coming. It wasn’t until the last 15 minutes that the true nature of the Penguin was revealed – such a bold and confident narrative structure. As for the final shot, it perfectly integrates this iconic villain into Gotham’s core Batman storyline. Honestly, there’s no need for a second season; it wrapped up flawlessly.”
”This script is miles ahead of Matt Reeves’ work. There’s no forced romantic subplot, and the characters feel grounded, telling a street-level story of struggle and survival for the underdogs. Oz’s story naturally resonates with a broader audience – his personal journey, the loyalty and betrayal among his crew, and the feuding within his family. Even in just one episode, so much groundwork has already been laid. The cinematography could use a little more polish, but hey, not everyone can match Dune’s cinematographer.
I’m especially glad Batman isn’t in this – it doesn’t need him looming over everything. But the comment section? Hilarious. People are comparing this to spin-offs like Agatha All Along, trying to hype themselves up with such a niche, low-tier character. What’s the point of comparing a fantasy-style spin-off to a crime drama? Come on, this is just funny.“
”This is what a top-tier entertainment series should look like – crisp pacing, straightforward storytelling, and layered, vivid characters. It weaves together the spectacle of crime and deep emotional arcs beautifully. The parallels between Oz and his mother, and Sofia and her family, are especially well-crafted. I’m already looking forward to seeing the Penguin face off with Batman in The Batman Part II!“
“The two best things about this show are: first, it doesn’t try to make the Penguin look good or justify his actions; and second, there’s no Batman or any other comic book characters making cameos or having crossovers.
Oz is a pure villain – he lies all the time, deceives himself, does all kinds of evil, and is extremely ruthless. He’s incredibly selfish but keeps telling himself he’s doing it for others – for his crew, for old friends, or for his mom. The only real emotion he shows is love for his mother, but even that love is fake in a way – more about holding onto his identity than true affection.
Despite this, all the small-time characters in the show, and even the audience, are completely drawn in by him. That’s the charm of someone like Oz.”
