Half Man: A Brutal, Riveting Look at Male Bonds

HBO’s limited series Half Man, from Baby Reindeer creator Richard Gadd, uses the volatile bond between two men—Niall Kennedy (Jamie Bell) and his step‑brother Ruben Pallister (Gadd)—to explore male loneliness, patriarchy, loyalty and violence across six episodes running from late 1980s adolescence to adulthood. The show delivers a brutal, riveting examination of masculinity and vulnerability, anchored by powerhouse performances and a finale that is emotionally devastating. It premieres April 23 on HBO with new episodes dropping weekly, marking a standout return to TV for Gadd.