REVIEW: ‘Task’ Delivers The Right Balance Of Twists, Tension And Top-Tier Performances
- Kevin Verma
- Aug 28
- 3 min read
HBO’s new miniseries Task once again proves why the network remains unmatched in prestige crime dramas. Directed and written by Brad Ingelsby, the creative force behind Mare of Easttown, the seven-episode series takes viewers into a morally complex and tension-filled world. At its center is Mark Ruffalo as a priest turned FBI agent who leads a task force hunting down a crew robbing drug houses. Task also stars Tom Pelphrey, Emilia Jones, Jamie McShane, Sam Keeley, Thuso Mbedu, Fabien Frankel, Alison Oliver, Raúl Castillo, Silvia Dionicio, Phoebe Fox, and Martha Plimpton.
The show opens on a steady note, dedicating its first two episodes to immersing viewers in its world. Ingelsby, known for his methodical pacing, takes the time to build the foundation of the story, fleshing out both the task force and the criminal ecosystem they face. While the early episodes may feel slower compared to the intensity of what follows, they are essential for grounding the series in realism and setting the stage for the chaos to come. By the time the narrative hits its stride, Task unfolds into a taut, addictive watch.
Ruffalo anchors the series with a performance that is subtle yet deeply affecting. He plays a man carrying an emotionally heavy burden while staying true to his duty. Though he starts quietly, his presence grows in power as the story progresses. Tom Pelphrey adds another memorable role to his career, bringing layers of strength and vulnerability to this character. Fabien Frankel and Alison Oliver inject charm and humanity, while Emilia Jones is perhaps the standout of the ensemble. Jones is fierce, magnetic, and impossible to ignore whenever she’s onscreen.
The writing is every bit as mature as one would expect from Inglesby. He doesn’t shy away from exploring dark, unsettling themes, but he handles them with nuance and care. The dialogue crackles with emotional depth, often cutting straight to the heart of the characters’ fears, doubts, and motivations. The direction from Jeremiah Zagar and Salli Richardson-Whitfield ensures that these moments linger, making the quieter exchanges just as impactful as the high-stakes action.
Episodes four through six represent the series at its absolute peak. The tension tightens, the twists come at just the right moments, and the emotional stakes climb higher with each passing scene. Ingelsby proves adept at balancing gripping crime-thriller storytelling with deeply human character studies. While the finale may not quite deliver the knockout punch the preceding episodes set up — feeling slightly underwhelming in comparison — the journey leading up to it is so strong that it still lands as a satisfying conclusion.
Task is yet another reminder that HBO remains the gold standard for prestige television. It boasts powerful performances, layered writing, and confident direction, making it a must-watch crime drama that will appeal to fans of Mare of Easttown and beyond. While it may not reach the same heights as Ingelsby’s previous triumph, it establishes its own identity as a dark, thoughtful, and compelling story of morality and justice. Anchored by Ruffalo and elevated by a brilliant supporting cast, Task cements itself as one of the most gripping dramas of the year.
Rating: ★★★★☆
About Task
Premiere Date:Â Sept 7, 2025
Episode Count:Â 7
Creator: Brad Ingelsby
Executive Producers: Ed Glauser, Becky Hartman Edwards
Distribution: HBO and HBO Max
Cast: Mark Ruffalo, Tom Pelphrey, Emilia Jones, Jamie McShane, Sam Keeley, Thuso Mbedu, Fabien Frankel, Alison Oliver, Raúl Castillo, Silvia Dionicio, Phoebe Fox, and Martha Plimpton.
Synopsis: Set in the working-class suburbs of Philadelphia, an FBI agent (Mark Ruffalo) heads a Task Force to put an end to a string of violent robberies led by an unsuspecting family man (Tom Pelphrey).
