HBO’s The Penguin Makes The Sopranos Look Tame

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HBO is known for producing high-quality, critically acclaimed TV shows, and The Sopranos is often considered its best. This groundbreaking mob drama was hugely influential when it originally aired and continues to be the benchmark for shows in the genre.

The new series The Penguin, a continuation of Matt Reeves’ The Batman movie, has impressed viewers with its strong story, excellent performances, and intense violence – some have compared it to the iconic show The Sopranos.

The Penguin Was an Unexpected Masterpiece From HBO

Even though Colin Farrell’s Penguin was a standout character in The Batman, it was a challenge to generate widespread enthusiasm for a miniseries focusing on him. While fans enjoyed his performance, they weren’t completely convinced a whole series about his climb to power in Gotham City was a good idea.

Many attempts to expand the Batman universe through TV series haven’t been very successful. For example, Gotham had a dedicated fanbase, but it wasn’t particularly memorable, though it did feature some fun characters and hidden references. Because Gotham heavily featured the Penguin, some fans of The Batman movie’s portrayal of the character worried that the new Penguin series would just feel like a grim and familiar retread of what they’d already seen.

Fortunately, The Penguin is a standout series from HBO – one of their best in years. It’s a dark, mature show that takes the character in exciting new directions, actually surpassing its original portrayal. Unlike some shows from other studios, it’s not simply filler between movies and is genuinely enjoyable even if you aren’t already a fan of the character or the comics.

Instead, the show shares similarities with the acclaimed HBO series, blending character-driven stories with intense crime and shocking violence. In many ways, it even surpasses the level of drama and complexity seen in the story of Tony Soprano and his family.

The Penguin Goes Further Than The Sopranos Ever Did

Oz Cobb, known as the Penguin, is a genuinely awful person, and his growing influence throughout The Penguin series only makes him more detestable. Unlike some villains, audiences could usually find something to connect with, even if just a little. He grappled with being a gangster as organized crime was fading, and despite his frequent outbursts of anger, viewers often hoped he might change for the better, at least temporarily. But that’s not what happens with Oz Cobb.

This version of The Penguin isn’t a villain with hidden goodness. He’s genuinely cruel, resentful, and quick to anger, which makes him a fascinating character to watch. The show initially presents him in a way that’s almost sympathetic, similar to The Sopranos, but it quickly becomes clear what he’s really like. Viewers are then left disturbed as he ruthlessly pursues power at any cost.

Compared to The Sopranos, The Penguin takes violence to a new level with its relentless torture, shootings, and gruesome murders. While The Sopranos often focuses on the everyday lives of its characters and includes many non-violent episodes, The Penguin is a constant stream of intense brutality. When violence does occur in The Sopranos, it’s usually brief and shocking, but The Penguin delivers an unending wave of horrific scenes.

When The Penguin premiered on HBO in 2024, it was a pleasant surprise. While it doesn’t quite reach the level of The Sopranos, it’s one of the best shows HBO has produced in years. The series proves it was worth making as a continuation of The Batman, and it stands out as one of the most realistic and character-driven crime thrillers we’ve seen recently.

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2026-03-15 19:11