The Penguin first reactions call it a "near-perfect mobster story" and a "spiritual sequel to The Sopranos"

EntertainmentTVAction ShowsDC TV ShowsThe PenguinThe Penguin first reactions call it a “near-perfect mobster story” and a “spiritual sequel to The Sopranos"When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.

EntertainmentTVAction ShowsDC TV ShowsThe PenguinThe Penguin first reactions call it a “near-perfect mobster story” and a “spiritual sequel to The Sopranos"When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.

(Image credit: HBO/Sky)

Colin Farrell as Oz Cobb in The Penguin (2024)

The first reactions for The Penguin starring Colin Farrell have arrived – and some people are calling it one of the best comic book TV shows of all time.

“A masterful examination of criminality, The Penguin is twisted, disturbing, and deeply enthralling,“Varietywrote.

“The Penguin is a brilliantly crafted crime thriller that turns Colin Farrell’s Penguin into one of the best live-action comic book villains of all time,” saidDiscussingFilm.

“The Penguin series floored me. A near-perfect mobster story that lived up to everything it promised,“another journalisttweeted. “Gritty, compelling, vicious. With some psychological thriller embedded in its ferocious power struggle. Colin Farrell & Cristin Milioti fired on all cylinders.”

“The Penguin is a splendid addition to Matt Reeves’s Batman universe. Darker, grittier, and bloodier, this TV-MA crime drama feels like The Sopranos in Gotham, with Colin Farrell turning in unrecognizable, spectacular work,“said another. “Cristin Milioti steals the show as Sofia Falcone. Exciting, powerful character drama that gets you to hate and sympathize with everyone.”

“I’ve watched all eight episodes of The Penguin and it’s the best superhero-universe TV series I’ve seen since Daredevil, and perfect for those who wanted an R-rated version of The Batman,“one person tweeted.

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“The Penguin is an astonishing continuation of the grimy world Matt Reeves created in The Batman,” wrote CinemaBlend’s Sean O’Connell. “And also, its own riveting exploration of an unpredictable criminal. Colin Farrell does incredible work.”

“The Penguin is the spiritual Sopranos sequel we didn’t know we needed,” wroteDigitalSpy.

Our own reviewsays, “More gangster saga than comic book adaptation, The Penguin is a fresh take on its titular villain, but it’s Cristin Milioti who really shines as the brutal and captivating Sofia Falcone.”

The Penguin is set to hit Max on September 19. For more, check out our list of thebest new TV showscoming your way in 2024 and beyond.

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1Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension”

Nemesis board game models and tokens laid out on a board

1Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension”

1

Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension”

2Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package”

2Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package”

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Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package”

3Path of Exile 2 review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal dark adventure”

3Path of Exile 2 review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal dark adventure”

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4Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years”

4Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years”

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5Marvel Rivals review: “So preoccupied with trying to be like Overwatch that it forgets to play to its own strengths”

5Marvel Rivals review: “So preoccupied with trying to be like Overwatch that it forgets to play to its own strengths”

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1Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show”

Shadow brandishes a gun in Sonic The Hedgehog 3

1Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show”

1

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2Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie”

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3Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action”

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4The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien”

4The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien”

4

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5Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite”

5Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite”

5

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1

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2Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses”

2Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses”

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Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses”

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3Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist”

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Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist”

4Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands”

4Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands”

4

Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands”

5Cobra Kai season 6, part 2 review: “Returns to the sort of hard-hitting form that made it such a fan favorite in the first place”

5Cobra Kai season 6, part 2 review: “Returns to the sort of hard-hitting form that made it such a fan favorite in the first place”

5

Cobra Kai season 6, part 2 review: “Returns to the sort of hard-hitting form that made it such a fan favorite in the first place”

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