“Task” Pushes Past Typical Genre Tropes To Deliver A Powerful & Emotional Crime Story

It becomes clear in the first episode of “Task” that series creator and proud Pennsylvanian Brad Ingelsby has a gift for building a strong sense of place, making his latest project feel like a spiritual successor to “Mare of Easttown.” This time, however, Ingelsby resists the urge to stay in familiar territory. Instead of centering on one character, he expands the narrative into a multi-threaded crime drama that connects different groups of people, all linked through men carrying heavy burdens.

One thread follows former priest-turned-FBI agent Tom Brandis (Mark Ruffalo). Still reeling from the sudden death of his wife, Tom struggles to keep his family from falling apart, particularly his relationship with his teenage daughter. Unable to cope, he numbs his grief with vodka poured into a worn Philadelphia Flyers cup. His retreat from the world is interrupted when his foul-mouthed bureau chief, Kathleen McGinty (Martha Plimpton), forces him back into the field to investigate a string of robberies targeting drug houses, a case with the potential to spark wider violence.

The other central thread focuses on Robbie Prendergast, a garbage collector barely holding his life together after his wife abandons him and their children. Furious at his inability to provide for them, Robbie turns to crime, believing that robbing drug houses is the only way to secure a future for his kids and his niece Maave (Emilia Jones), who longs for a life outside of constant caregiving. Ingelsby places Tom and Robbie on a path destined to intersect, setting up a gripping collision between two men who see themselves as fighting for just causes.

What makes “Task” stand apart from similar cat-and-mouse thrillers is the strength of Ingelsby and David Obzud’s writing. They slow down long enough to let relationships breathe, building flawed, layered characters whose struggles feel authentic. These pauses in the action allow for small, reflective moments that feel just as compelling as the bursts of tension. The show invests equally in both leads and their circles, giving audiences reasons to empathize with Robbie even as his choices grow reckless, while also feeling the weight of Tom’s grief and duty. Helping maintain this balance are directors Salli Richardson-Whitfield and Jeremiah Zagar, whose steady hands guide the story even when some plotlines lose momentum before regaining their footing.

At times, the sheer amount of family drama spread across the ensemble makes the series feel stretched thin. Certain characters fade into the background as the limited runtime forces attention elsewhere. Yet the performances are strong across the board. Thuso Mbedu shines as sharpshooting task force member Aleah, and Jamie McShane adds menace as a Dark Hearts motorcycle gang member. Allison Oliver is particularly endearing as Lizzie, a State Trooper turned task force recruit whose mixture of self-doubt and bubbly energy provides levity. Her Pennsylvania accent is so convincing that it evokes memories of Evan Peters’ memorable monologue in “Mare of Easttown.” Jones also does impressive work as Maave, though the series ultimately rests on the shoulders of Ruffalo and Tom Pelphrey.

Ruffalo, a four-time Oscar nominee and Emmy winner, brings another masterful performance. As Tom Brandis, he is a hollowed-out man who moves through the world with weariness, quietly observing others while withdrawing from his own life. Ruffalo conveys this with subtlety, making Tom’s pain both raw and restrained. His brokenness mirrors Robbie’s in ways neither man would admit. Pelphrey, meanwhile, delivers his strongest performance since “Ozark.” His Pennsylvania accent is spot-on, but more importantly, he disappears into Robbie’s tough exterior, exposing a man desperate for stability beneath the hardened surface. Watching their parallel journeys unfold across the season makes “Task” deeply compelling television.

“Task” is more than a worthy follow-up to “Mare of Easttown.” It is poised to dominate conversations in the weeks ahead as it takes over HBO’s coveted Sunday night slot. Even when it falters, the series never loses sight of its goal: to be an emotionally resonant drama that combines intimate character studies with gripping tension. By the time it reaches its conclusion, “Task” proves itself as one of the year’s most engaging and affecting television experiences.