The Penguin’s Biggest Challenge: Making Oz Unlikable

Essential Insights

Transforming The Penguin into a more relatable character may create challenges in reestablishing him as a villain.
The rise of antiheroes in pop culture has made it harder to distinguish between heroes and villains, complicating viewers’ loyalties.
Without a contrasting figure like Batman, The Penguin might struggle to maintain his status as a clear antagonist.

Widely recognized as one of the breakout hits of 2024, The Penguin has captured audiences for its fresh approach to a classic Batman villain. Showrunners Lauren Lefranc and Matt Reeves have expertly reframed this character through a more realistic perspective. Gone are the eccentric traits; he doesn’t sport an umbrella with gadgets or consume raw fish, nor does he embody typical bird-like characteristics. Instead, he appears as a mobster labeled with an unfortunate nickname due to a physical ailment.

This grounded portrayal not only renders The Penguin more credible but also surprisingly sympathetic. As viewers follow Oz Cobb, who faces mistreatment from nearly everyone in the narrative at various points, it becomes easier to relate to and root for him. He exhibits resilience and intelligence; rather than being a mere doormat, he stands up for himself. Hence, he embodies a kind of protagonist in the series, which poses a significant obstacle considering he originates as a traditional Batman antagonist. Eventually, Reeves and Lefranc will likely wish to shift audience favor away from him, making that transition a complex challenge.

The Penguin Is Not an Antihero

In recent years, there has been a notable increase in the popularity of characters that straddle the line between hero and antihero. Iconic figures like Deadpool and characters from The Mandalorian exemplify this trend. Many video games also allow players to explore antihero dynamics, offering the option to guide characters down more morally ambiguous paths.

Creator/Showrunner	Lauren LeFranc
Stars	Colin Farrell, Cristin Milioti, and Rhenzy Feliz
Number of Episodes	8
Air Dates	September 19, 2024–November 10, 2024
Streaming On	HBO Max

This growing trend encourages audiences to identify with antihero characters, painting them as aspirational figures. However, Oz Cobb—despite any sympathy he might evoke—is fundamentally a villain. He is a source of chaos in Gotham City.

Oz’s dealings with other antagonistic figures, particularly Sofia Falcone, complicate matters further. No matter how charismatic she may become, she too will eventually need to be positioned as a character Batman fans could dislike—unless her narrative concludes unfavorably in the finale of The Penguin. Should they meet in a confrontation and both survive, they could emerge as antagonists facing Batman in future installments, thereby flipping viewer allegiances.

The creative team may have inadvertently cultivated a character that audiences genuinely enjoy. As the season progresses, Oz’s actions may be forgiven or rationalized, complicating traditional storytelling structures that pit good against evil. Without a robust antagonist to weigh against his character, fans may start to see him not just as a misguided villain but potentially as a protagonist.

The Issue of No Batman Presence

It’s clear why the creators opted to develop a series without the presence of Robert Pattinson’s Batman—introducing him would dominate the narrative focus. However, it appears that having a contrasting hero would have helped highlight the ramifications of Oz’s actions, illustrating that his deeds are ultimately unacceptable. Initially, Vic believed Oz posed a lethal threat, indicating a deeper complexity to his character beyond mere villainy.

Colin Farrell, who portrays Oz Cobb, suggests that by the series’ conclusion, it may be challenging for fans to maintain their affinity for him. There are pivotal moments that could sway public opinion against him, yet this is not a certainty. Farrell hints that despite potential missteps, he may be underestimating the audience’s capacity for empathy towards the character.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mUaBx796hNM

Colin Farrell: 'Scenes In The Penguin Are Pretty BRUTAL' (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mUaBx796hNM)

If Oz were to commit acts resulting in the death of Vic or Sofia, that could alienate some audience members. The absence of a real heroic figure opposing him—one capable of pushing The Penguin into committing truly egregious acts—might indeed hinder the narrative momentum when transitioning to Matt Reeves’ upcoming projects.

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