HBO's 'Task' Stuns Critics as Mark Ruffalo, Tom Pelphrey Shine

When Mark Ruffalo, lead actor on HBO's new limited series Task stepped onto the screen, critics knew they were in for something big.

Two episodes later, the show—crafted by the Emmy‑winning crew behind Mare of Easttown—has already earned a Rotten Tomatoes "Certified Fresh" badge and IMDB scores hovering between 8 and 9.

Set against the gritty backdrop of Delaware County, the series pits Ruffalo's FBI task‑force leader, Agent Tom, against Tom Pelphrey's ruthless family matriarch‑turned‑kingpin, Robbie. The cat‑and‑mouse dance feels less like a formulaic chase and more like a study in moral ambiguity.

Why "Task" Stands Out

Here's the thing: crime dramas have been churned out for decades, but few manage to weave cultural specificity into a universal thriller. In "Task," the small‑town sensibility of Delaware County grounds the violence in a reality that feels too close to home.

Roger Ebert's review called the series "a major‑player showcase where each character carries a deep well of grief that curdles into dangerous choices." That line sums up the emotional architecture—Ruffalo's Tom is "spiritually troubled," while Pelphrey's Robbie yearns for family peace, even if it means committing kidnapping to protect a child.

Character Deep Dives

Mark Ruffalo brings a weary, world‑worn charisma to Agent Tom, balancing duty with an internal battle that mirrors the criminal's own turmoil. "Tom is on the right path morally, but he's spiritually haunted," one critic wrote, noting that Ruffalo's subtle eye‑rolls convey more than any dialogue.

Tom Pelphrey, as Robbie, flips the script on the typical villain. In a scene that has sparked endless social‑media debate, Robbie rescues an eight‑year‑old boy from a basement during a botched heist, answering, "Are you my dad's friends?" with a reluctant "Yeah." Rather than killing the kid, Robbie kidnaps him—an act that showcases his twisted sense of honor.

The supporting cast shines, too. Jamie McShane delivers what reviewers call his "best work" as Perry, the cold‑blooded leader of a motorcycle gang whose drugs are being stolen. "McShane knows that a silent glare can be more menacing than a shouted threat," noted one industry insider.

Critical Reception and Numbers

• Rotten Tomatoes: 92% Certified Fresh
• IMDB user rating: 8.7/10 after two episodes
• Metacritic: 88/100 based on 25 critic reviews
• Average viewership for HBO’s Sunday slot: 1.4 million live streams
• Social‑media mentions within 48 hours: ~120,000 tweets using #TaskHBO

Critics have lauded the concise storytelling that limited series can deliver. "For the past five years, the best shows have been miniseries that cut the fluff and get straight to the point," wrote a veteran TV columnist. "Task" lives up to that promise, delivering a tight narrative arc that feels both inevitable and surprising.

Industry Voices

HBO’s head of Original Programming, Carla Batista, told Variety that the network wanted "a crime drama that feels intimate, that doesn’t rely on endless sequels, but instead offers a complete, emotionally resonant journey." The decision to air it in the Sunday slot aligns with HBO’s strategy to capture weekend binge‑watchers.

Television scholar Dr. Elaine Wu of NYU highlighted the series' "culturally specific lens"—the fictional town mirrors real‑life pockets of the Rust Belt where economic decline fuels both law‑enforcement pressure and criminal desperation.

What’s Next for "Task"?

The limited series runs eight episodes, with the next installment slated for release on October 13. Rumors suggest a mid‑season twist: Robbie’s niece, played by newcomer Sofia Alvarez, may become a pivotal player, potentially breaking out as a breakout star.

Fans are already speculating about a possible spin‑off focusing on Agent Tom’s earlier career—though HBO has not confirmed any plans.

Background: From "Mare of Easttown" to "Task"

The creative team behind "Task" includes series creator Kay Oyewumi, who co‑wrote "Mare of Easttown" and earned an Emmy for Best Limited Series. Transitioning from a Pennsylvania small‑town mystery to a Delaware County crime saga allowed Oyewumi to explore similar themes of grief, community, and the cost of justice, but with a darker, more violent palette.

HBO’s investment in limited series reflects a broader industry trend: audiences crave high‑quality, self‑contained stories that don’t demand multi‑season commitments. "Task" exemplifies that shift, delivering a punchy, emotionally layered experience that feels both fresh and familiar.