Stephen King Praises HBO's New 90% Fresh Series: “It's Nailbiting Suspense”

While some viewers are searching for the next big premiere, the most celebrated master of suspense has already found one worth watching. Stephen King has expressed his admiration for the new HBO show – Task.

Stephen King Has Nothing But Praise for HBO's 'Task'

The author is known for his sincere and direct manner of speaking about the movies and TV series he enjoys. This time, King wrote on his X account:

“TASK (HBO): It's a crime story; it's nailbiting suspense. You'll care about the lawmen (led by Mark Ruffalo) and the criminals. Most of all, you'll care about the kidnapped little boy.”

What Is 'Task' About?

The plot centers on two parallel stories. The first follows the life of FBI agent Tom (Mark Ruffalo). After recently losing his wife and facing the imprisonment of his adopted son, he attempts to repair his relationship with his teenage daughter.

Tom is transferred to the career guidance department, but his quiet life is shattered when an armed group appears in the city and begins robbing drug dens.

The second story follows Robbie (Tom Pelphrey), a single father who leads a gang. After his brother is murdered, Robbie becomes obsessed with revenge. Initially, his actions resemble Robin Hood's noble deeds, but he soon crosses the line and becomes a vigilante.

'Task' Is a Perfect Pick for Those Who Liked 'Mare of Easttown'

If you were impressed by the dark, character-driven drama Mare of Easttown, then Task is your next must-see. It's no coincidence – the project's screenwriter and showrunner, Brad Ingelsby, also made Mare of Easttown.

Here, Ingelsby once again places a tired and suffering protagonist in a realistic small-town setting and entangles him in a tense crime plot. This plot serves as a backdrop for a profound exploration of trauma, grief, and family relationships.

Mark Ruffalo and Tom Pelphrey deliver incredible chemistry and emotional depth as the tormented FBI agent and the tragic, avenging antihero.

What Did Critics & Viewers Think of 'Task'?

Decider critic Meghan O'Keefe wrote:

“HBO's Task is not the addictive home run Mare of Easttown was, but it's arguably a far more profound watch, full of deeper themes and bolder swings.”

• Task has 90% from critics and 64% from viewers on Rotten Tomatoes.

• On IMDb, the series has a score of 7.7/10.