HBO has officially released the trailer for the new crime series Task, created by Brad Ingelsby - the mind behind Mare of Easttown. The seven-episode miniseries premieres on September 7 on HBO Max.

The story is set in the working-class neighborhoods of Philadelphia, where an FBI agent leads a special team to stop a series of violent robberies being committed by an apparently average family man. The trailer gives a glimpse into the tone, setting, and high tension level of the series.

Mark Ruffalo Stars

The cast is led by Mark Ruffalo as FBI agent Tom. This marks his first collaboration with HBO since the miniseries I Know This Much Is True from 2020, for which he won an Emmy. Other roles include Tom Pelphrey, Emilia Jones, Thuso Mbedu, Fabien Frankel, Raúl Castillo, Sam Keeley, Jamie McShane, and Alison Oliver.

The series certainly didn't come out of nowhere. In June 2023, HBO announced that the series had been greenlit, with Brad Ingelsby as creator and writer, and Jeremiah Zagar directing several episodes. In December 2023, it was revealed that Salli Richardson-Whitfield would also direct multiple episodes. In November 2024, HBO announced the title of the series: Task.

Other Projects Of Ruffalo

In addition to Task, Ruffalo will soon appear in Crime 101 alongside Barry Keoghan and Halle Berry, and in the romantic comedy Good Sex with Natalie Portman and Meg Ryan. Furthermore, there are rumors that he will reprise his role as Bruce Banner/Hulk in Spider-Man: Brand New Day.



The above footage is introduced on YouTube with the line "You ever done something you can’t be forgiven for?". Available starting September 7 on HBO Max.

In the series The Queen's Gambit, the final shot of a specific episode shows protagonist Beth Harmon in a crucial match against her rival, left with a move that could either secure her a win or lead to a devastating loss. This unresolved moment is a classic example of a cliffhanger, a narrative device designed to keep audiences engaged.

This technique is not unique to chess dramas. A cliffhanger is a tool used to abruptly halt a narrative at a point of high tension or suspense, leaving a key question unanswered. The psychological response to this is a desire for resolution, which drives viewers to watch the next installment.

The Desire For Completion

The "cliffhanger effect" is tied to a psychological phenomenon known as the Zeigarnik effect. This concept, proposed by Soviet psychologist Bluma Zeigarnik, suggests that people remember unfinished tasks better than completed ones. The brain's need for closure creates mental tension.

When a series episode ends on a cliffhanger, the unresolved plot acts as an unfinished task. The brain's desire to find out what happens next creates a powerful motivation to continue watching. This mechanism is central to the binge-watching model of content distribution.

Neurochemical Responses

The suspense and emotional conflict created by a cliffhanger trigger a neurochemical response. The anticipation of a resolution can lead to the release of dopamine, a neurotransmitter associated with pleasure and reward. The body seeks more of this feeling.

This dopamine release reinforces the behavior of watching the next episode. A clinical psychologist, Renee Carr, stated that "The neuronal pathways that cause heroin and sex addictions are the same as an addiction to binge watching." This highlights the brain's strong response to the pleasurable feedback loop of continuous viewing.

Practical Examples of the Effect

In the series Breaking Bad, the mid-season five finale ends with DEA agent Hank Schrader discovering a book in Walter White's bathroom, revealing his brother-in-law's secret identity as the drug kingpin "Heisenberg." This sudden revelation left viewers with an intense need to see what would happen next.

Another instance can be seen in the sitcom Friends, where a season finale concluded with Ross saying Rachel's name at the altar instead of Emily's. This cliffhanger, while comedic, created emotional suspense and speculation for months. These examples show how cliffhangers are not limited to one genre.

Used Sources

- The Psychology Behind Binge Watching - Psychology Today
- What Is the Zeigarnik Effect? - Verywell Mind
- The Binge-Watching Brain - The New York Times
- Why We Get Addicted to Binge-Watching TV - CNBC

During the filming of Hollow Man in 2000, director Paul Verhoeven had a significant clash with actor Josh Brolin. The science fiction thriller, with a budget of nearly $100 million, heavily relied on groundbreaking special effects. More than half of the budget was spent on these visual feats, creating extra tension on set.

Brolin shares in the podcast Happy Sad Confused that he respects Verhoeven but ended up in a "big fight." "He yelled at some extras, which I thought was unacceptable," the actor stated. According to Brolin, Verhoeven also didn't have a clear vision of the film he was making.

Seven Months Of Absurd Scenes

For Brolin, who was still trying to make a name for himself in Hollywood at the time, Hollow Man was a bizarre experience. "That f*cking movie, man… Seven months of that nonsense," he laughs. In one scene, he and co-star Kevin Bacon had to look at 'invisible monkeys' through special glasses. "Kevin said afterward: 'You have talent.' And I thought: what are you talking about? We're looking at invisible monkeys!"

Brolin suspects he got the role only because others had turned it down. Despite the frustrations, he now views it as a remarkable chapter in his career.

From The Goonies To Hollow Man

Although Brolin had already appeared in films such as The Goonies, he was still working on his breakthrough. Hollow Man, which starred Kevin Bacon as a scientist who becomes invisible, received mixed reviews but attracted audiences worldwide.



For Verhoeven, it was one of his last major Hollywood productions before returning to Europe to make films such as Black Book.

No Hard Feelings, Just A Story

Despite their conflict, Brolin speaks about the collaboration without resentment. "These are things I can now just talk about," he says.

By now, he is among the top in Hollywood with roles in No Country for Old Men, Avengers: Infinity War, and Dune.

Later this year, LEGO and Wednesday enthusiasts can look forward to two new building sets. LEGO will be releasing both set 76785 Thing’s Apartment and set 76786 Morticia’s Cottage.

The first set, 76785 Thing’s Apartment, consists of 828 bricks and measures 13 cm high, 23 cm wide, and 11 cm deep when closed. At the heart of the design is a toy suitcase that unfolds into a detailed apartment, complete with a bed, chair, and various accessories, including a rotating shower handle.

Thing’s Apartment In Detail

Inside, alongside the furniture, there is also space for small items like stickers and nail polish. The set comes with a movable figure of Thing and a mini doll of Enid Sinclair. The retail price is around 80 euros and the set is suitable for builders aged 10 and up.

The second release, 76786 Morticia’s Cottage, has 1002 bricks and measures 21 cm high, 19 cm wide, and 12 cm deep in its closed state. The house features six rooms across two floors and includes openable side panels and a removable back wall with a fireplace.

Seance Room

In addition to a kitchen, seance room, and bathroom, this set includes a buildable family car that fits four mini dolls: Bianca Barclay, Lurch, Morticia Addams, and Wednesday Addams. The price is set at 100 euros, also suitable for ages 10 and up. Both sets will officially release on October 1, 2025.

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Disclaimer: This article is not sponsored by LEGO or any other supplier and has been written as the subject aligns with series and films.

Netflix recently announced the premiere date for the fifth and final season of Stranger Things. This concluding series will be released in three parts, culminating in a grand and epic finale.

However, this does not spell the definitive end of the Stranger Things franchise. A few years ago, it was revealed that a live-action spinoff is in development. According to co-creator Matt Duffer, this series is "different from what anyone expects, even Netflix itself," as he indicated in 2022.

New Reveal By Finn Wolfhard

Now, Finn Wolfhard, known as Mike Wheeler in the original series, has shared new information about this yet-to-be-announced spinoff.

In an interview with Variety, Wolfhard states that it will be an anthology series. While Stranger Things seasons pay homage to iconic 80s films and series, the spinoff draws its inspiration from an influential work from the early 90s.

Inspiration From Twin Peaks

"It feels reminiscent of David Lynch's Twin Peaks," Wolfhard shares. "A kind of anthology with various styles and tones, but within the same universe. It will probably be set in different locations, all connected by the mythology of the Upside Down."

According to Wolfhard, it is unlikely that characters from the original series will return. The project is still in the early stages, and no official plans have been confirmed yet.

No Hawkins, But New Locations

"There is no talk of Hawkins. No references to our characters," he explains. "They're toying with ideas in case Netflix is interested, which it likely is. But nothing is concrete yet. My favorite angle would be: if there was a lab in Hawkins, then there must also be one in Russia. Where else could there be?"

The fifth season of Stranger Things kicks off on November 26 on Netflix.

Fans of the Alien franchise are in for a treat this week with the release of Alien: Earth, the first series within the universe. Directed by Noah Hawley and produced by FX, this show brings Xenomorphs to Earth for the first time, not counting the Alien vs. Predator films.

The story revolves around a group of 'hybrids', synthetic beings with the consciousness of human children, employed by the Prodigy company to investigate a crashed ship. Onboard are several Xenomorphs owned by the notorious Weyland-Yutani, now forced to watch their bounty taken over by the competition.

Set Just Before The Original Film

Alien: Earth takes place in 2120, two years before the events of Ridley Scott's Alien from 1979. This means the narrative occurs right before the ill-fated Nostromo mission. Hawley even hinted that the series might reveal what happened on the 'other side of the phone' when Weyland-Yutani sent the Nostromo to LV-426.

The later films, Aliens and Alien 3, happen 57 years later, while Alien: Resurrection is set 202 years after Alien 3. Therefore, don’t expect many direct connections to those later installments, although Weyland-Yutani will still play a significant role here.

Links To Alien: Romulus

The series comes 22 years before Alien: Romulus, the hit film from 2024 set between Alien and Aliens. While Romulus featured important elements from Prometheus and Alien, Alien: Earth will largely skip over those prequels. Hawley has indicated that he drew inspiration primarily from Alien and Aliens, not from Ridley Scott's origin stories.



Fans hoping for more information on the 'Prometheus Strain' introduced in Romulus may be disappointed: Alien: Earth opts for a simpler approach, focusing on tension and classic horror elements.

Accessible For New And Old Fans

Though the Alien timeline now spans nearly three centuries, Hawley wanted to keep the series accessible. "If you try to follow everything, you’ll drive yourself crazy," he said during SXSW. Therefore, Alien: Earth is crafted to engage both new viewers and seasoned fans, with no prior knowledge necessary.

With positive early reviews and a solid score on Rotten Tomatoes, this approach seems effective. How the series events will connect to Alien or Aliens will soon be revealed: Alien: Earth premieres on August 12 with two episodes on FX Hulu and internationally on Disney+.

Bad news for Lionsgate, as they have to cope with a staggering quarterly loss of up to 94 million dollars due to the John Wick spin-off Ballerina starring Ana de Armas.

Ballerina, set between John Wick: Chapter 3 and John Wick: Chapter 4, follows Eve Macarro, who has been trained in the assassin traditions of the Ruska Roma. Just like John Wick, Macarro is out for revenge and takes on an army of killers to find those responsible for her father's death.

A Savior In Distress

Although John Wick, played by Keanu Reeves, made a cameo in Ballerina, his appearance did not manage to draw the audience to theaters like the John Wick films did. For instance, John Wick: Chapter 4 grossed 447.3 million dollars with a budget of 100 million dollars.

However, Ballerina concluded its global box office run with a revenue of 132 million dollars against a reported budget of 90 million dollars. Perhaps the two planned spin-offs can save the John Wick universe.

Solid Growth

One of the spin-offs is a franchise prequel and side story featuring Donnie Yen's character Caine, and if director Chad Stahelski is to be believed, there are also plans for John Wick: Chapter 5.


And what does the future hold for Lionsgate? In response to the company's recent financial results, Jon Feltheimer, the company's director, stated that they are "taking a number of important steps to achieve solid growth again by fiscal year 2027."

Help Is On The Way

They aim to achieve solid growth particularly with the next Hunger Games film, The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping, which is currently in production.