The Batman: Ending Explained

Colin Farrell's portrayal of Oswald Cobblepot/The Penguin is a sight to behold, and his part in the story becomes even more essential once Falcone's death leaves a whole new world of crime at his fingertips. That's something to keep an eye on come the sequel.

All the mayhem going on floods parts of Gotham (thanks to The Riddler blowing up the dams) and means Jim Gordon and his GCPD pals are left helpless to patrol certain areas. That, you won't be shocked to learn, is when Cobblepot kicks it into high gear and starts going mad with power all over again.

He can smell chaos, and he likes it.

It's almost like the scriptwriters were teasing Penguin as the main threat for The Batman 2. That, as we'll get to, isn't actually the case. There's erm...someone else on the scene who will delight hardcore Bat-fans. Most folks reading this have probably already figured out who, but play along.

It's hardly like Cobblepot is going to be swept aside anyway. Farrell's portrayal is so well-done that there's more to get stuck into for Reeves and fellow writer Peter Craig. The Penguin strikes a frustrated pose for much of The Batman, if only because he knows he's capable of so much more, and could eventually claim Gotham's crime syndicates as his own long-term.

He views the city as ripe for the pickings, even more so when flooding makes it harder for the police to stamp out his schemes. Then, finally, there's The Riddler and his potential new running mate. Edward Nashton ends up in the frightening Arkham Asylum and meets someone rather...cherished? Is that the right word?

You decide...