HBO’s Boldest Crime Thriller Unveiled Now

The trailer for Task gives off a sense of chaos. The environment, characters, and notions of justice are all unrefined. In a landscape swarming with highbrow crime dramas akin to ad promotions, HBO’s new series—conceived by Mare of Easttown creator Brad Ingelsby—makes an entrance in a grimy hoodie demanding your attention.

Set against the gritty backdrop of suburban Philadelphia, Task features Mark Ruffalo as a seasoned FBI agent at the helm of a team tackling a spike in drug-related burglaries. His main target? An unassuming man named Robbie, portrayed with a chilling subtlety by Tom Pelphrey. The surprise: Robbie isn’t the typical offender—he’s the neighbor who trims your lawn, dutifully pays taxes, and harbors profound secrets.

“You won’t destroy their lives just because you ruined yours.”
— A line from Ruffalo’s character, which seems to encapsulate the essence of the show.

While the structure feels familiar, the tone is distinct

The conflict between law enforcement and criminals is a worn-out trope—seen in The Wire, True Detective, and Mayor of Kingstown. Yet, Task leans away from mere crime-solving and delves into the depths of guilt. It’s not so much a procedural drama, but a deeply personal exploration. It’s less about lawbreakers and more about those who are already grappling with inner turmoil.

This thematic emphasis aligns perfectly with Brad Ingelsby’s storytelling style, evident in works like Out of the Furnace, The Way Back, and Mare of Easttown, where characters seldom experience ‘arcs’ but rather spirals. They don’t just evolve—they decay, recover, relapse, and repeat the cycle.

Pelphrey: A departure from Breaking Bad?

Tom Pelphrey could be the most fascinating casting decision in this series. Renowned for his intense performance in Ozark, he replaces that furious energy with something more nuanced—imagine a kettle simmering, building towards a boil without a whistle. His character appears as a counterpoint to the Walter White mold: ordinary, neither a genius nor a villain, simply an individual trapped between survival and desperation.

As for Ruffalo? He’s no swashbuckling hero. He appears weary—not just from lack of sleep, but from a long-standing disillusionment with justice. This makes his portrayal more relatable than many others.

A location that serves as more than mere scenery—it’s integral

Filmed on-site in Philadelphia, Task wields its environment like a surgical instrument. Ingelsby recognizes that crime flourishes in hidden places and not in isolation. Think of The Wire’s Baltimore or Mare of Easttown’s Delaware County, but here, the darkness feels more profound.

“It’s not that Philadelphia lacks representation on screen; it’s just seldom portrayed with this level of rawness,” remarks local filmmaker and critic Isaiah Thomas (not the basketball player).

The harsh reality is:

More cop-centric series are unnecessary. However, we genuinely need more shows like Task—ones that provoke reflection on our reasons for tuning in to such programming.