HBO’s 6-Part Psychological Thriller From ‘Baby Reindeer’ Creator Is Built For A Weekend Binge

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If you loved the hit Netflix series Baby Reindeer, you’ll want to check out the new 6-part psychological thriller now streaming on HBO Max. Created by the same writer, the show is perfect for a weekend binge, with four episodes already available. It stars Richard Gadd, who won three Emmy Awards, and Jamie Bell, known for his recent role in the critically acclaimed film All of Us Strangers. Bell plays the brother of Gadd’s complex and often explosive character.

The HBO Max series Half Man launched on April 23, 2026, and received generally positive reviews, with scores of 77% from critics and 78% from audiences on Rotten Tomatoes. While often compared to Richard Gadd’s popular Netflix series Baby Reindeer, Half Man hasn’t reached the same level of widespread success. However, many viewers find it to be a compelling and even more disturbing show than Gadd’s breakthrough hit.

HBO’s New Psychological Thriller Series Is Built For A Weekend Binge Now

You can now watch all but two episodes of Half Man on HBO Max, making this weekend a great time to start the series. The final episode will be released on May 28th, and watching now will let you enjoy the last two episodes as soon as they’re available. Like other popular limited series such as Baby Reindeer and Adolescence, Half Man is a challenging but ultimately satisfying show best viewed in one sitting.

The story opens with Ruben, who seems emotionally unstable, unexpectedly showing up at his stepbrother Niall’s wedding after years of not seeing each other. The series then flashes back to explore the history of their complicated relationship. We learn that Niall was a shy, intelligent student secretly struggling with his sexuality, and was severely bullied in high school. Things changed when Ruben suddenly moved in and began attending the same school, unexpectedly standing up for Niall.

Niall unexpectedly finds Ruben dancing intimately in his room and admits he was turned on by it. Although Niall and Ruben aren’t related by blood, their complex connection grows increasingly unhealthy throughout the show. Like Baby Reindeer, Half Man explores themes of unhealthy reliance, past trauma, and hopelessness. However, while Baby Reindeer was based on the creator’s own life, Half Man is a completely fictional story.

Half Man Is Even Darker Than Netflix’s Global Smash Hit Baby Reindeer

If you’ve watched Baby Reindeer, you’ll have some sense of what Half Man is like – neither one is lighthearted or easy to just fly through. Honestly, after watching the first four episodes, I think Half Man actually pushes the boundaries even further than Baby Reindeer did, so be prepared for that going in. But don’t let that scare you off! I actually found the show’s depiction of really flawed people surprisingly insightful, and at the very least, it felt incredibly real.

I’ve seen some people say Half Man is too intense, violent, and just really unsettling – they think it’s not worth the hype. But honestly, most critics and viewers seem to absolutely love it! They’re praising the story for being so real and gripping, the actors for giving incredible performances, and the writing as being top-notch. If you watched Baby Reindeer, that’s the closest thing I can compare it to – it’ll give you a good idea of what you’re in for. It’s definitely not an easy watch, but if you can handle the intensity, Half Man might just become your new favorite show. I’m planning to binge it this weekend!

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2026-05-14 23:28