Mark Ruffalo’s 95% RT HBO Hit Is a Reminder to Watch Collateral

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HBO’s latest crime thriller is a big success on Rotten Tomatoes, earning high praise after just four episodes. From Brad Ingelsby, the creator of the Emmy-winning *Mare of Easttown*, comes *TASK*, starring Mark Ruffalo as the lead and Tom Pelphrey, known from *Ozark*. The series also features Emilia Jones (*CODA*), Thuso Mbedu, Alison Oliver, and Fabien Frankel (who appeared in *House of the Dragon*). Ruffalo plays FBI Agent Tom Brandis, who leads a small team investigating a series of local drug robberies and a child’s kidnapping.

While *TASK* is a thrilling crime story, it’s not the only one worth watching. Over 20 years ago, Michael Mann directed *Collateral*, considered by many to be one of his best films. Despite receiving two Oscar nominations – for Film Editing and Jamie Foxx’s Supporting Actor performance – *Collateral* remains surprisingly overlooked and deserves more recognition as a top crime movie from the 2000s. If you’re enjoying Mark Ruffalo’s performance and the suspense in *TASK*, it’s a great time to revisit his earlier work in *Collateral*, where he plays a police officer.

Collateral Boasts the Best Villain Performance of Tom Cruise’s Career

While *Collateral* features strong acting from Jamie Foxx, Jada Pinkett Smith, and Mark Ruffalo, Tom Cruise delivers one of his best performances as the film’s lead. Cruise doesn’t often play villains, and his portrayal of Vincent is particularly chilling and masterful. Despite being a ruthless killer, Vincent operates with a strange code and logic, making viewers surprisingly root for him at times.

Tom Cruise sometimes faces criticism for playing characters that feel too alike across his films. While he’s famous for doing his own stunts and intense action, his style and the types of roles he chooses haven’t changed much recently. This film stands out because the ruthless killer he portrays is unlike anything he’s done before.

Let me tell you, Tom Cruise delivers as always, but it’s not *just* the action that makes this film work. A huge chunk of it unfolds from inside the taxi driven by Jamie Foxx’s Max, and their conversations are phenomenal. Cruise effortlessly switches between explaining his dangerous profession to Max and hilariously posing as a lawyer to help Max deal with a truly awful boss. And the villain? He’s brilliantly hateable – you can’t help but be a little fascinated by him, which is a testament to the performance.

Mark Ruffalo Shines in a Supporting Role in This Acclaimed Neo-Noir

In the movie *Collateral*, Mark Ruffalo plays Fanning, an undercover detective investigating a drug case. When one of his informants is killed by Vincent, Fanning starts looking into a series of mysterious deaths and how they relate to Max’s unpredictable taxi rides. Ruffalo portrays Fanning as rebellious, reserved, and self-assured – a personality that creates tension when Fanning and Vincent inevitably cross paths.

Though Mark Ruffalo’s character doesn’t appear as often as Tom Cruise or Jamie Foxx, he brings a compelling intensity to the story. His presence creates suspense, leaving the audience wondering if he’ll be the one to finally stop the killer and save Max from being dragged into further danger.

Throughout much of his career, Mark Ruffalo often played similar types of characters. To avoid being typecast, he took on the role of Fanning, which allowed him to explore different kinds of parts. Soon after appearing in *Collateral*, Ruffalo became a prominent figure in popular crime thrillers, including *Zodiac* and *Reservation Road*.

I’ve been a huge Mark Ruffalo fan for years, and it’s amazing to see how far he’s come! He’s already been nominated for an Oscar four times – for *The Kids Are All Right*, *Foxcatcher*, *Spotlight*, and most recently in 2024 for *Poor Things*. It’s clear he’s moved way beyond just supporting roles, especially with how beloved he is as Bruce Banner in the Marvel movies. And get this – he’s going to be leading a new crime thriller called *Crime 101* in 2026! Even better, Chris Hemsworth is going to be in it with him, along with Jennifer Jason Leigh, Barry Keoghan, and Halle Berry. I can’t wait!

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2025-10-06 06:36