When Brad Ingelsby, the creator of the HBO Max limited series Task, delivered the closing chapter titled A Still Small Voice, fans across the globe tuned in on Sunday, October 19, 2025, at 9:00 p.m. Eastern Time. The episode wrapped the seven‑part crime drama that follows FBI agent Tom Brandis, played by Mark Ruffalo, and his task force as they chase violent robberies tied to outlaw motorcycle gangs.
Series Overview and Critical Reception
Set against the gritty backdrop of Philadelphia in 2024, Task blends procedural rigor with a bleak, atmospheric tone. Critics have been almost uniformly laudatory: Rotten Tomatoes logged a 95% approval rating from 78 critics, noting the series’ "unrelentingly bleak but equally riveting" storytelling. Metacritic’s weighted average sits at 77 out of 100, solidly in the "generally favorable" range.
The show’s ensemble, besides Ruffalo, includes Tom Pelphrey, Emilia Jones, Thuso Mbedu, Raúl Castillo, Jamie McShane, Sam Keeley, Fabien Frankel, Alison Oliver, Silvia Dionicio, and Martha Plimpton. Their performances have been highlighted in several reviews for adding depth to a narrative that could otherwise feel merely procedural.
Episode‑by‑Episode Recap
Episode 1 – Crossings (Sept 7): The task force is assembled, and their first raid uncovers a network of stash houses hidden beneath abandoned warehouses.
Episode 2 – Family Statements (Sept 14): A family‑run biker gang retaliates, forcing Brandis to confront his own past connections to the region.
Episode 3 – Nobody's Stronger Than Forgiveness (Sept 21): A tense negotiation with a rival gang ends in an unexpected cease‑fire that proves fragile.
Episode 4 – All Roads (Sept 28): The team tracks a shipment of illegal narcotics to a derelict bridge, sparking a violent showdown.
Episode 5 – Vagrants (Oct 5): A series of burglaries targeting homeless encampments shifts the investigation to a broader conspiracy.
Episode 6 – Out beyond ideas of wrongdoing and rightdoing, there is a river (Oct 12): Brandis wrestles with moral ambiguity as evidence points to corrupt officials within the FBI.
The finale, A Still Small Voice, ties loose ends together, delivering a climactic raid that reveals the true mastermind—a high‑ranking law enforcement official who had been feeding information to the gangs.
Finale Details and Global Streaming Times
According to the official HBO Max release schedule published on September 7, 2025, U.S. viewers saw the episode at 9:00 p.m. ET. International audiences had staggered windows: the United Kingdom received the stream on Monday, October 20 at 2:00 a.m. GMT, while Australia got it at 9:00 a.m. AEDT the same day. The series is available worldwide through HBO Max’s distribution network, with each region’s stream timed to the nearest Sunday‑night slot in local time.
After the finale aired, Task became instantly on‑demand across all markets. HBO Max confirmed that no further episodes are planned, as the project was conceived as a limited series from the outset.
Production Insights and Casting Trivia
Filming took place primarily in Coatesville, Pennsylvania, with notable locations such as Lefty's Bar on 15 Strode Avenue standing in for Philadelphia hangouts. The production list includes Public Record, wiip, and HBO Max.
Interesting tidbit from IMDb: Michael Keaton was originally in talks to play Tom Brandis, but scheduling conflicts led to Ruffalo’s casting. The pronunciation dispute over "Lancaster"—local Pennsylvanians say "LANK‑iss‑ter" while the show's characters say "Lan‑CAST‑er"—has sparked lively debate on social media, underscoring the series’ attention to regional authenticity.
What the Finale Means for Modern Crime Drama
By ending on a note where the real villain is embedded within law enforcement, Task joins a growing cadre of series—think Mare of Easttown and Slow Horses—that probe institutional corruption rather than just street‑level crime. Experts, such as crime‑drama analyst Dr. Lena Ortiz of the Media Studies Center, argue that the show’s bleak aesthetic reflects broader public skepticism toward policing after recent high‑profile incidents.
For fans of the genre, the series demonstrates that a compact, seven‑episode arc can pack the punch of a full‑season drama without filler. Its strong ratings on Rotten Tomatoes and Metacritic suggest that audiences are hungry for tightly plotted, morally complex stories.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will there be a spin‑off or sequel to Task?
So far, HBO Max executives have confirmed that Task was always intended as a limited series. While no spin‑off has been announced, the show's creator Brad Ingelsby hinted at potential “expanded universe” stories in a September interview, leaving the door ajar for future projects.
How can viewers outside the United States watch the finale?
International audiences can stream the episode through their regional HBO Max portal. The platform typically aligns its release with the closest local prime‑time slot; for example, the UK got it at 2:00 a.m. GMT on October 20, while Australia saw it at 9:00 a.m. AEDT the same day.
Why did the series choose to film in Pennsylvania instead of Philadelphia?
Filming in Pennsylvania offered tax incentives and easier access to varied urban settings that could double for Philadelphia’s neighborhoods. Production designer Maya Chen explained that the state’s mix of historic districts and industrial sites provided the visual texture the show needed.
What were the most praised elements of the series?
Critics highlighted the nuanced performances of Ruffalo and Pelphrey, the atmospheric cinematography that captured Philadelphia’s underbelly, and the script’s willingness to tackle systemic corruption. The show’s 95% Rotten Tomatoes score largely stems from these strengths.
How does Task compare to other HBO crime dramas?
While shows like The Wire and Mare of Easttown span multiple seasons, Task condenses its narrative into seven tightly written episodes. This brevity gives it a faster‑paced, more relentless feel, which many viewers say makes every scene count.
