Critic Reviews

A master class. .... Pelphrey, his eyes staring into nothingness, and Ruffalo, his shoulders hunched beneath the weight of the world, are outstanding, as are the supporting players, embodying gritty souls caught up in unforgiving machinations — until there is, somehow, some forgiveness. Ingelsby understands that the extremes of the crime genre provide the perfect basis for searing human drama, provided they’re handled with skill and conviction. “Task” has more than enough of both.

Mare of Easttown’s creator has crafted another riveting HBO crime drama in Task, packed with emotional complexity and powerhouse performances.

Enriched by regular moments of grace, “Task” still moves at an engrossing, steady pace. Ingelsby preserves the thrills of a relentless investigation while foregrounding his ensemble’s relatable — often painfully so — experiences with guilt and forgiveness.

Together, they [Ruffalo and Pelphrey] elevate “Task” into something that resonates far beyond its procedural frame.

Like Mare, but slightly more elegant in its plotting, Task uses the detective-story format and the specificity of its rural Pennsylvania setting to explore elemental human problems. .... Ingelsby’s latest makes an astute study of guilt, revenge, and forgiveness.

The performances, consistently lived-in and assembled by casting director Avy Kaufman, are what weave the many threads into a tapestry. .... Like “Mare” before it, “Task” can be unrelentingly grim, and the shifts in perspective — if not tone — offer something of a reprieve as the walls close in on all the characters.

Every last frame becomes naturally compelling and leaves viewers wanting more after seven episodes. Task proves that the HBO + Ingelsby formula is one of modern television's safest bets. It's hands down the best drama series of the 2026 Emmy pool and a can't-miss show this September.

Perhaps the best crime thriller of the year, it’s also a validation of the seven-, eight-, or nine-part TV series.

There's not an ounce of levity or joy to be found in "Task," as dour a crime drama as its HBO predecessor "The Wire," and just as morally complex. .... You can't look away while waiting to see if either of them will find it [freedom].

Like “Mare,” it’s a polished act — from the directing and writing to the career-high performances from a perfectly selected cast.