In Batman Returns, the Penguin is portrayed as a grotesque and misunderstood character, abandoned by his wealthy parents as a child due to his physical deformities and raised by penguins in the sewers. He seeks revenge on the citizens of Gotham for their cruelty towards him and aims to gain power and acceptance through his mayoral campaign.
Meanwhile, Max Schreck is a corrupt businessman who is willing to team up with the Penguin to further his own interests, including a plan to build a power plant that will drain Gotham's resources.
Catwoman, played by Michelle Pfeiffer, is initially introduced as Selina Kyle, a shy and awkward secretary who works for Schreck. After discovering his evil plan, Schreck pushes her out of a window and she is revived by a group of cats. She returns as Catwoman, a seductive and deadly villainess who has a complex relationship with both Batman and Bruce Wayne.
As Batman tries to stop the Penguin and Schreck's plans, he is faced with a battle on two fronts as Catwoman also wreaks havoc on the city. The film explores themes of identity, power, and corruption, and features dark and surreal visuals that capture the tone of the Batman comics.