Introduction
Before Bruce Wayne becomes the Dark Knight, Gotham shows us the city that shaped him — and it’s as gritty, corrupt, and chaotic as you’d expect. Premiering in 2014 and running for five seasons, this crime-drama superhero hybrid mixes police procedural with comic book madness in all the right (and sometimes gloriously over-the-top) ways.
If you ever wondered what Gotham was like before Batman showed up, this series dives headfirst into the murky mess of mobsters, freaks, and broken systems — and somehow makes it all wildly entertaining.
Plot Summary
The show kicks off with the murder of Thomas and Martha Wayne, leaving young Bruce behind. But Gotham isn’t really about him — at least, not at first. The focus is on rookie detective Jim Gordon (Ben McKenzie), who’s trying to do the right thing in a city that chews up good cops for breakfast.
As Gordon navigates the criminal underworld, we meet rising villains like Oswald Cobblepot (Penguin), Edward Nygma (Riddler), Selina Kyle (Catwoman), and a growing list of characters who are just a few bad days away from full-on supervillain mode. It’s a slow-burn transformation of both the heroes and villains — and the city itself.
Cast and Characters
- Ben McKenzie as Jim Gordon – brooding, idealistic, and relentless
- David Mazouz as young Bruce Wayne – a serious kid growing into the cape
- Robin Lord Taylor as Penguin – honestly steals the show
- Cory Michael Smith as Riddler – sharp, creepy, and captivating
- Camren Bicondova as Selina Kyle – street-smart with real chemistry
- Donal Logue, Sean Pertwee, Morena Baccarin — all delivering strong performances
The casting is spot-on, especially the villains. This version of Penguin? Iconic.
Reviews and Ratings
Gotham definitely has its ups and downs — some seasons are tighter than others — but the fandom is strong for a reason. It’s bold, weird, and doesn’t play it safe.
- IMDb: 7.8/10
- Rotten Tomatoes: Varies by season, average audience score ~80%
- Metacritic: Season 1 – 71/100
It’s got cult-favorite energy and some truly wild twists.
Why You Should Watch
- Origin Stories Done Right: From Penguin to Riddler to Scarecrow.
- Visually Stylish: Gothic, noir, and sometimes full-on comic book chaos.
- Character Arcs: Watching Bruce, Selina, and others evolve is half the fun.
- Big Twists: The show isn’t afraid to go dark, weird, or straight-up bananas.
Where to Watch
You can stream all five seasons of Gotham on:
- Netflix (U.S. and select regions)
- HBO Max
- Amazon Prime Video (available to rent or buy)
Final Thoughts
Gotham isn’t your typical superhero series — it’s darker, messier, and full of strange charm. If you like crime dramas with a comic book twist, layered villains, and a slow-build toward something epic, this show is worth sinking your teeth into.
Checkout our other movie reviews here.
