NEW THRILLER “TASK” ON HBO MAX IS YOUR NEW ADDICTION

Brad Ingelsby, best known for Mare of Easttown, returns to his Philadelphia roots with the new HBO limited series Task. Unlike Mare, which centered on Kate Winslet’s grief-stricken detective, Task is more of an ensemble drama, blending crime thriller with layered family struggles. The story follows FBI agent Tom (Mark Ruffalo), a widower coping with personal loss, as he goes head-to-head with Robbie (Tom Pelphrey), a garbage collector leading a crew robbing a local biker gang.

While the show offers the expected cat-and-mouse tension, its real strength lies in the deeply human portrayals of fractured families, moral compromises, and generational trauma. Ruffalo brings soulful gravity, while Pelphrey shines with a surprising optimism that energizes his role. Supported by a strong ensemble including Martha Plimpton, Alison Oliver, and Thuso Mbedu, Task weaves crime and family drama into a gripping narrative. Gritty, emotional, and character-driven, it proves Ingelsby’s gift for storytelling remains sharp.