HBO’s 7-Part Crime Thriller With A Near-Perfect RT Score Is Built For A Weekend Binge

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HBO Max’s thrilling 7-episode crime series is a perfect choice for a weekend binge-watch. With a fantastic 96% score on Rotten Tomatoes and a total runtime of around 7 hours, this critically acclaimed HBO original is ideal for starting on a Friday night or a relaxing Sunday – it’s one of the best new shows available to stream on the platform in just a few sittings.

This series is receiving incredible praise, boasting a 96% rating on Rotten Tomatoes – even higher than beloved HBO shows like The Sopranos, The Wire, The Leftovers, and Succession. It’s quickly becoming one of HBO’s greatest series ever. With a second season already planned and strong viewership last year, this 7-part crime drama is predicted to be a major contender at the 2026 Emmy Awards next September.

HBO’s 7-Part Crime Thriller Is Built For A Weekend Binge

HBO’s new 7-part crime series, Task, is perfect for a weekend binge. Created by Brad Ingelsby—the writer behind the Emmy-winning Mare of Easttown starring Kate Winslet—Task boasts a fantastic cast including Mark Ruffalo, Emilia Jones, Tom Pelphrey, Alison Oliver, and Fabien Frankel.

If you enjoyed Mare of Easttown, you’ll likely appreciate Task too. Both shows are realistic crime dramas taking place in suburban Pennsylvania, and both feature lead characters who are seasoned law enforcement officers dealing with significant personal loss. Despite their own struggles, they dedicate themselves to solving a puzzling crime that disrupts a close-knit community. In Task, Mark Ruffalo stars as Tom Brandis, an ex-priest who now works as an FBI agent and leads a team investigating a string of home invasions.

In the series, the primary criminal responsible for the home invasions is Robbie Prendergast, played by Pelphrey. However, he’s not simply a villain; he’s a complex character and almost a co-lead, destined to cross paths with Tom. Robbie is surprisingly easy to sympathize with, as he turns to robbing drug houses out of desperation to support his family. Though retired, Tom is drawn back into action to catch Robbie, but as the story unfolds, it becomes clear that the lines between hero and villain are blurred, and the two men share more similarities than differences.

Task Is One Of HBO’s Most Acclaimed New Crime Series

Like Mare of Easttown, Task has earned high praise and is quickly becoming one of HBO’s most anticipated new dramas. Its success has led to the development of second seasons for both shows. Task demonstrates that Ingelsby and HBO have a strong partnership, consistently delivering gripping crime series that are both thrilling and emotionally resonant.

Critics are praising Task, with Ebaster giving it 9 out of 10 stars and calling it an ‘HBO masterpiece’ due to its immersive and authentic storytelling. IndieWire highlighted the show’s engaging pace and its ability to balance thrilling investigation with relatable characters dealing with complex emotions. Rotten Tomatoes shows overwhelmingly positive reception, with only 6 out of 83 reviews being negative.

If you were an HBO Max subscriber last year, you probably already know about Task. HBO released a lot of great shows in 2025, like The Pitt, The Chair Company, and IT: Welcome to Derry, and Task is definitely one of the highlights. It’s easily one of the best shows available to binge-watch on HBO Max, whether you’re watching it for the first time or revisiting it.

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2026-04-06 04:38