2025 has already proven to be an exceptional year for television, and HBO Max continues to separate itself from the pack with Task, a gritty, character-driven crime drama that stands as one of the strongest series releases of the year.
Set in the suburbs of Philadelphia, Task delivers a master class in how to build a modern law-enforcement series—one that balances procedural tension, emotional depth, and morally complex storytelling without ever losing momentum.
What Is Task About?
Task centers on Tom Brandis, an FBI agent played with quiet intensity by Mark Ruffalo. When the series opens, Brandis appears stuck in career purgatory—working FBI career fairs where no one seems interested in joining the Bureau. However, it quickly becomes clear that his stagnation is rooted in unresolved personal trauma rather than professional incompetence.
Brandis is abruptly thrust into leadership, tasked with running a special FBI unit investigating a crew responsible for robbing drug houses tied to a powerful local motorcycle gang. What initially looks like a straightforward criminal operation quickly spirals into something far more dangerous and unpredictable.
Mark Ruffalo’s Performance Carries the Series
Mark Ruffalo delivers one of his most emotionally restrained yet compelling performances in recent years. Tom Brandis is a man going through the motions—professionally and personally—while quietly drowning in grief.
Brandis’ wife was killed by their adopted son, who struggles with severe mental health issues. As the series unfolds, Brandis prepares for his son’s sentencing, wrestling with guilt, regret, and the impossible question of whether he should speak on his son’s behalf. Complicating matters further, he is also raising an adopted daughter and a biological daughter, making his family life as fractured and emotionally loaded as his work.
This personal turmoil bleeds into his leadership of the task force, grounding the show in human stakes that elevate it far beyond a standard FBI procedural.
The Criminal Perspective: Robbie Prendergrass
On the other side of the law is Robbie Prendergrast, portrayed by Tom Pelphrey. Robbie is a former criminal trying—and failing—to escape the gravity of his past. Now working as a trash collector, he lives in unstable conditions with his niece and two children, desperately trying to keep his family afloat.
Robbie’s involvement in the robberies stems from a familiar but devastating reality: the pressure to make fast money. Task does an excellent job portraying how desperation clouds judgment. The criminals in this series make reckless, often frustrating decisions—but they feel painfully real. These aren’t masterminds; they’re people blinded by survival and short-term thinking.
As mistakes pile up, the series takes a sharp turn, flipping expectations and driving the narrative into darker, more volatile territory.
A Three-Sided Crime Story
One of Task’s greatest strengths is its three-sided storytelling structure:
- The FBI task force, struggling with leadership pressure and possible internal conflicts
- The criminals, dealing with the consequences of impulsive decisions
- The motorcycle gang, trying to determine who is robbing them—and how
As the season progresses, paranoia sets in across all factions. Trust erodes. Questions emerge about internal leaks, betrayals, and hidden agendas—both within the FBI and the criminal organizations. Every group is watching each other, unsure of who is working against them.
Layered on top of this are individual backstories for the task force members themselves, adding further emotional texture and motivation to their actions.
Writing, Pacing, and Performances
Across its eight tightly paced episodes, Task never feels slow. Each episode delivers action, tension, and character development without filler. The script is sharp, the dialogue feels authentic, and several scenes—particularly those involving criminal planning and moral rationalization—stand out as highlights.
The acting across the board is strong, with no weak links. Some characters are designed to be hated, while others earn empathy in unexpected ways. The show consistently places the viewer in uncomfortable emotional territory, forcing you to understand motivations even when you don’t condone the actions.
Themes That Add Weight
Beyond crime and law enforcement, Task addresses several heavy themes with surprising nuance:
- Adoption and family trauma
- Mental health and accountability
- Domestic violence
- Poverty and economic desperation
These elements are woven organically into the narrative, never feeling forced or preachy. Instead, they reinforce the show’s realism and emotional resonance.
Final Verdict: Is Task Worth Watching?
Absolutely. Task is one of those rare shows where you find yourself emotionally invested on multiple sides of the story. You root for the FBI, empathize with the criminals, and fear the chaos brewing between them.
The series is unpredictable, emotionally grounded, and expertly crafted. HBO Max has another standout original on its hands, and if future seasons are greenlit, Task has the potential to become a defining crime drama of its era.
If you’re looking for a smart, intense, and binge-worthy series, Task deserves a spot at the top of your watchlist.
Streaming now on HBO Max.
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