Half Man review: Richard Gadd delivers a brilliant, bruising Baby Reindeer follow-up

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Half Man is a compelling TV show that explores difficult topics like bullying, prejudice, hidden emotional pain, substance abuse, and past trauma. It tells the story of two half-brothers whose lives become deeply and sadly connected.

Okay, so this new show is all Richard Gadd’s doing – you might know him as the guy behind Baby Reindeer on Netflix. That show blew up earlier this year, everyone was talking about it, and it racked up a ton of awards. It’s really exciting to see what he comes up with next!

In his new show, Half Man, he once again writes, stars, and explores themes of shame, self-hatred, and harmful masculinity. Like his previous work, Baby Reindeer, the show features a villain who uses a seemingly affectionate nickname – ‘Bambi’ – for their target.

However, the plot quickly diverges into unexpected territory. Gadd’s character, Ruben Pallister, is a stark contrast to the struggling comedian Donny Dunn, and ultimately becomes both the show’s greatest strength and its most impressive accomplishment.

What is Half Man about?

I’m really excited about this new series, Half Man! It’s set in Scotland and focuses on Niall and Ruben, these two guys whose lives get connected when their moms start dating. The show basically follows their journey and how their lives become increasingly linked, all building up to Niall’s wedding. It sounds like a really interesting story about family and connection.

The ceremony serves as a backdrop for the main drama: Ruben unexpectedly arrives and immediately tries to steal the spotlight with a showy speech during the dinner. This leads to a confrontation with Niall in a nearby barn.

The show mainly uses scenes from the present day at the start and finish of each episode. Most of the time, however, it shows flashbacks that reveal what the characters’ lives were like before, and how they all connect.

The story uses flashbacks to build suspense in this dramatic and darkly humorous tale, gradually showing us Ruben’s reasons for being at the wedding and what he’s hoping to achieve.

Who are Niall and Ruben?

Niall and Ruben are very different people. Niall is quiet, reserved, and grappling with his sexual identity, while Ruben is more outgoing, assertive, and also facing personal challenges.

Jamie Bell portrays Niall in current scenes, while Mitchell Robertson plays the younger Niall in flashbacks. These flashbacks show Niall being bullied at school and hiding things from his mother.

Things are already difficult, and they’re made worse by the arrival of Ruben, who recently got out of a youth detention center after a violent incident involving someone’s nose.

Ruben embodies the same intense, volatile energy as both Gadd and Stuart Campbell’s portrayals of the character. He’s always on edge, like he’s about to explode. Driven by deep-seated anger and a desire for control, Ruben attempts to dominate everyone around him, regardless of the fallout.

Ruben and Niall begin as rivals, but a strange reliance on each other leads to a shaky friendship. However, Ruben’s indirect hostility and Niall’s feelings of insecurity and envy cause their relationship to constantly swing between close companionship and intense conflict as they grow older.

Following a formula

Every episode slowly unveils details of the wedding day, and also explores a different time in the couple’s past.

The show dedicates an hour to each of Niall’s life areas: school, university, his legal battle, and building his career and relationships—all leading up to a significant personal event.

As the series goes on, it falls into a predictable pattern: Niall’s mother delivers upsetting news about Ruben, Niall gets worried, and Ruben manages to do something good. However, Ruben inevitably feels mistreated, loses his temper, and this leads to destructive and often chaotic outcomes.

The show generally follows a pattern in its central episodes, but the finale takes a different approach. Instead of the usual storyline, it focuses on Niall making questionable choices, leading to a shocking conclusion that’s likely to spark discussion.

Richard Gadd delivers a monstrous performance

The performances are consistently amazing throughout the film. Every supporting actor shines, and the young actors, Robertson and Campbell, are particularly captivating as Niall and Ruben – you genuinely feel sad when older actors Bell and Gadd take over their roles.

However, both actors then give remarkably different, yet equally impressive performances. Bell portrays a quiet, internal suffering as Niall tries to assert himself, growing increasingly annoyed that Ruben is taking over his life and becoming the central figure in his own story.

John Boyega is captivating as Ruben, almost unrecognizable with a messy beard, impressive physique, and constantly bloodshot, intense eyes.

Sometimes the character can be dull, switching between rambling and physically fighting with Niall. However, thanks to Gadd’s powerful performance and the character’s erratic behavior, he’s far more complex than a simple villain – and potentially something even more disturbing.

Is Half Man good?

Half Man is a challenging but captivating show, similar to Baby Reindeer in that it raises complex issues without providing simple solutions. It’s a bold and exciting six-part series that feels truly unique.

The show delves into the complex intersection of sex and violence, blending psychological drama with thrilling suspense. However, it handles these sensitive topics with care, using them to explore the patterns of abuse and violence, and the lasting impact of trauma. This makes for a thought-provoking and emotionally resonant experience.

The story and its difficult themes, along with the character of Ruben, create a consistently tense experience. However, Richard Gadd’s exceptional writing and performance are so compelling that it’s impossible to look away. I suspect the character of Half Man will stay with me – and possibly disturb my sleep – for a long time.

Half Man hits HBO on April 23, 2026, and the BBC on April 24, 2026.

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2026-04-21 16:20