HBO

Check out the trailer for HBO's "Task" starring Mark Ruffalo

By Chris Morgan | Last updated Aug 13, 2025 1:38 PM ET

In the mood for some cheerful television? Well… too bad. 'Task' is headed to HBO Max, courtesy of the creator of 'Mare of Easttown'. Yes, it’s set in Philadelphia. Yes, it’s about crime. Mark Ruffalo stars, which means he can probably start blocking out his calendar for next year’s Emmys. There’s a trailer now, so take a look:

The release poster for 'Task' carries the tagline, “Every force has its equal,” which is about as crime drama as it gets. For the trailer, though, HBO Max went with, “You ever done something you can’t be forgiven for?” Mark Ruffalo may be best known for playing the Hulk, but he has a real fondness for dark, nihilistic dramas, and this one looks right in his wheelhouse. Unlike 'Mare of Easttown', however, 'Task' isn’t going all-in on the Philly accent.

If the vibe feels familiar, that’s the point. Like 'Mare', this seems poised to be a finely crafted entry in the “bleak-but-prestige” crime drama genre. If that’s your thing, HBO Max has you covered starting September 7.

Chris Morgan

Chris Morgan is a Detroit-based culture writer who has somehow managed to justify getting his BA in Film Studies. He has written about sports and entertainment across various internet platforms for years and is also the author of three books about '90s television.

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