HBO is known for many interesting works, Game of Thrones alone is worth it. However, a separate important position in the channel's library is occupied by crime dramas. True Detective, The Wire, The Sopranos and other cult shows appeared precisely thanks to the efforts of HBO. Task is a new series from HBO, which is quite capable of taking a well-deserved place in this list. After all, this is an excellent crime drama that intrigues from the first minutes and does not let go until the credits of the final series.
Warner Bros. representatives provided the editorial staff of Mezha with early access to watch the full season of the series Task. The premiere of the show is scheduled for September 7, 2025, new episodes will be released weekly. In Ukraine, HBO shows are released on the streaming service Megogo.
| Name | Task |
| Genre | crime drama |
| Director | Brad Ingelsby |
| Cast | Mark Ruffalo, Tom Pelphrey, Emilia Jones, Tuso Mbedu, Raul Castillo and others |
| Channel | HBO |
| Episodes | 7 |
| Year | 2025 |
| Link | IMDb |
The plot of the series Task focuses on two main characters. FBI agent Tom (Mark Ruffalo) and criminal Robbie (Tom Pelfrey) become key figures in a large-scale conflict over drug trafficking. Both have a huge baggage of problems, doubts and personal troubles, so work is a kind of salvation for them. When another robbery of a drug production point goes completely wrong, the lives of many people in a small town begin to change significantly - and definitely not for the better.
The project is helmed by Brad Ingelsby, and for connoisseurs of quality crime dramas, this name speaks volumes. It was he who gave us Mare of Easttown, a true masterpiece of the genre. And Task is its worthy spiritual successor.
The series doesn't try to reinvent the wheel or radically change the rules of the game. Instead, it takes the familiar formula of a cat-and-mouse game and infuses it with incredible depth, psychology, and attention to detail, transforming a potentially standard thriller into a powerful human drama.
The cornerstones of the story are two outstanding performances. On the one hand, Mark Ruffalo as Tom. His long-term involvement in the Marvel Cinematic Universe as the Hulk has made many forget how talented and versatile a dramatic actor he is. Task is a powerful reminder of his true talents. His Tom is a devastated man, broken by personal tragedy, hiding from grief behind his work. Ruffalo plays in halftones, conveying fatigue, pain and suppressed rage with just a look or a barely noticeable movement.
On the other hand – Tom Pelphrey, whose Robbie is a hurricane of uncontrolled emotions. This is a man, driven into a corner by circumstances, who does terrible things with a desperate belief in his own rightness. And even then he does not turn into a monster: his motives can be understood, in many moments you feel sincere sympathy for him. The contrast between the tired, almost physically unpleasant FBI agent and the criminal, who often looks much better against the background of representatives of the law, creates an incredible tension, which is the driving force of the entire series.
But the series is not only strong in its leaders. The supporting cast works flawlessly, making the world of the show alive and believable. Emilia Jones as Maeve, Robbie's niece, is the moral compass and heart of its storyline – a young woman forced to grow up too quickly and bear the burden of others' mistakes. Martha Plimpton brilliantly plays Kathleen, Tom's jaded and cynical boss, diluting the gloomy atmosphere with witty humor. And the young agents on Tom's team, in particular the characters of Tuso Mbedu and Alison Oliver, add layers of idealism, insecurity and professional ambition to the story, creating a dynamic and realistic work team.
Ingelsby skillfully avoids Hollywood gloss. His world is a down-to-earth, gloomy and recognizable reality of working-class America. The series shows with equal attention both intense shootouts and everyday nuances of the characters' lives: a joint dinner, which is already sparkling with unspoken tension, an awkward attempt by a father to talk to his child, an almost sacred ritual of drinking alcohol - and then emergency measures to quickly sober up. And what is surprising, these "calm" scenes, filled with brilliant dialogues and real emotions, are no less exciting than direct action. The show proves that real drama is hidden not in shootings, deaths and screams, but in quiet dialogue in the kitchen or tense silence in the car.
The atmosphere of the series is almost physically heavy and dirty. This is achieved not only by the script, but also by the visual language: a muted color palette that emphasizes the depressiveness of the environment, a handheld camera that creates a documentary effect, and attention to detail – shabby houses, old cars, tired faces. There are no glamorous FBI offices or luxurious villas of drug lords. Instead, we see ordinary Americans trying to make ends meet. This focus makes the story universal, because it is not a story about abstract good and evil, but about people whose lives are intertwined in a tragic knot.
At a deeper level, The Task is a powerful exploration of grief and masculinity in crisis. Both protagonists, Tom and Robbie, are fathers, and both are defined by loss. Tom's grief has paralyzed him, turning him into a passive observer of his own life, unable to connect with his children. Robbie's fear of future loss, on the other hand, drives him to destructive, active actions, which he justifies with concern for his family. Moreover, fate seems to constantly throw up chances for both of them to atone for their sins, but the characters are almost unable to see them. The series subtly juxtaposes different approaches, without providing simple answers to the questions of what it means to be a "good father" and whether noble intentions can justify terrible actions.
However, such a detailed and realistic approach has a downside. The series develops at a rather slow, meditative pace, which may not appeal to everyone. Ingelsby strives for realism so much that the characters' dialogue is often fragmented, unspoken, and full of subtext that only the characters themselves understand. This adds authenticity, but sometimes it is difficult for us, as outside viewers, to catch all the nuances of their relationships without additional explanations. The show demands patience and full involvement from the audience, but it generously rewards it.
Task is a classic crime drama that takes the best of the genre and cements its own place with a flawless script and outstanding acting. It's a dark, uncompromising and incredibly human story that explores themes of grief, duty and what one person will do for their family. It's television of the highest quality, reaffirming HBO's reputation for producing quality and intelligent content.