Public Holiday Fest Streaming 26' - Half Man - Miniseries

Following the success of Baby Reindeer, Half Man is the latest gritty drama created by Richard Gadd.

The British six-part series, is a co-production between BBC and HBO. 

The series stars Gadd, Jamie Bell, Stuart Campbell, and Mitchell Robertson. Ruben (Campbell) & Niall (Robertson) grew up as brothers despite not being related by blood—one strong and fiercely loyal, the other quiet and gentle. 

Thirty years later, they reunite at Niall’s (Bell) wedding, but Ruben (Gadd) seems uneasy and on edge; when a sudden act of violence erupts, it sends the story back through their shared past, revealing how their bond was shaped and how even the closest relationships can ultimately fall apart.

This series was bold, rough and damn terrifying at times. Some scenes were just way too full on. Like honestly, so gruesome.

Toxic masculinity on steroids is Half Man in a nut shell. The series (like Hacks) also is a fail for HBO Max in Australia, as Stan got the streaming rights for this big title.

Meaning two out of three HBO finales this past week, live outside of HBO Max. Why would anyone sign up to that service? Particularly if they are being merged with Paramount one day...

In the grim finale, four years pass, and Ruben is in jail for attacking Benji, but he wants to turn his life around for Mona and their son, Baird, who was born while he was in jail. 

Niall's semi-autobiographical novel about his experiences with Ruben becomes a hit, but the public is more interested in Ruben than in him. Ruben's mother Maura dies, and Niall informs Ruben in prison, causing Ruben to lash out at Niall. 

Niall's lifestyle of drugs and sex spirals until he reunites with Alby, years after Ruben's assault, and they rekindle their romance. With Alby's encouragement, Niall visits Ruben in prison and finally comes out to him. To his surprise, Ruben is accepting, having always suspected, and criticises him for wasting his life trying to belong. Niall blames Ruben's language for his self-loathing, but Ruben deflects back at Niall for rejecting his own truth. 

Ruben also reveals he was a victim of sexual assault from his own father when he was young, resulting in him feeling like a "half man." The two become open and vulnerable to one another, but the mood sours when Niall reveals that he slept with Mona and fathered Baird, infuriating Ruben. 

In the present, Ruben attacks Niall in the barn during his wedding for sleeping with Mona, and they have a gruelling fight. Niall manages to stab Ruben's side, mortally wounding Ruben, but Ruben manages to smother Niall to death, telling his brother that he loves him. The dying Ruben sits down on a bale of hay, staring at Niall's corpse.

It was an intense final hour. This show, showed a bleak outlook for angry young men. It was an interesting, yet brutal watch. Viewers be warned, this is full on!