Task (2025)

The limited series is a riveting cat-and-mouse chase structured around competing agendas between law enforcement and criminals. It excels in exploring all sides of the criminal-crime fighter divide through nail-biting setpieces.

The review praises the richly drawn world, complex family dynamics and engaging ensemble in this dual-protagonist cat-and-mouse tale. It notes the show starts slow but draws viewers in with care and deliberation in the scripts.

Ruffalo is well cast as the careworn FBI agent in this emotionally grounded crime drama from the Mare of Easttown creator. The series is positioned as an understated follow-up focused on a new task force assignment.

The critic finds the series a slow but rewarding character study that rewards patience with strong performances and emotional depth. Pelphrey's turn as the complex criminal Robbie stands out as particularly compelling.

The critic praises the spellbinding depth and texture of the drama and Ruffalo's magnetic performance but notes the glacial pacing, serviceable plotting and overwhelming doomy darkness without Mare of Easttown's warmth or levity.

The critic notes plenty to like in the glum crime drama but says it cannot match Mare of Easttown due to its slow pace, long set-up and complete lack of humour. Ruffalo and Pelphrey elicit sympathy but the tone is relentlessly downbeat.

The critic calls it a relentlessly glum crime drama whose unrelenting misery flattens the characters despite strong craft and cast. Questions of forgiveness hang over the story but the point of watching remains unclear.

The critic finds that Task tests viewers' patience with its slow, predictable crime plot and generic elements. It singles out the strong ensemble performances and heartfelt family drama for praise amid the flaws.

The critic finds the series a formulaic, relentlessly bleak and humourless box-ticking exercise that becomes boring and manipulative. It lacks the life, black humour and believable relationships of Mare of Easttown.

The critic calls the HBO series a powerful, kindhearted crime drama that will bring viewers to tears. It praises the emotional depth in the parallel stories of two tortured fathers and strong performances from the leads.

The critic finds the series a gritty, unrelenting crime thriller that serves as a bleak meditation on grief, faith, and revenge, anchored by strong performances from Mark Ruffalo and Tom Pelphrey along with a compelling ensemble. It differentiates itself from Mare of Easttown with its dual narrative and Sons of Anarchy-like grit but is held back by uneven pacing and some predictable tropes.