Half Man Review: Richard Gadd's Unflinching Dive into Male Trauma
Richard Gadd is at it again, delivering another powerful and unsettling television masterpiece. His new drama, Half Man, conceived before the stratospheric success of Baby Reindeer, is a fiercely intelligent and harrowing exploration of the damage men inflict upon each other. This series pulls no punches, offering a queasy yet essential viewing experience that every man should witness.
A Brutal Narrative Unfolds
The story begins in the present day, with two men, Niall (Jamie Bell) and Ruben (Richard Gadd), circling each other in a dark barn. Niall is dressed in full Scottish wedding attire, while Ruben stands stripped to the waist, hands wrapped like a boxer. The tension is palpable, hinting at an impending fight that seems far from fair.
From there, the series flashes back over thirty years across six brutal episodes to piece together their shared history. We first meet a gentle, bookish Niall at age fifteen, portrayed by Mitchell Robertson, as he endures horrific bullying from classmates. His day worsens when he learns that Ruben (Stuart Campbell), the seventeen-year-old son of his mother's partner, is being released from a young offenders' institute after biting off a boy's nose and will be moving in with them.
The Complex Dynamics of Brotherhood
Ruben quickly takes over Niall's bedroom, replacing the younger teen's belongings with his own—a foretaste of the control he will exert over Niall's life. The two become as close as siblings, with Ruben coining the phrase "My brother from another lover", which evolves into a refrain, a promise, and ultimately a threat.
Ruben assists Niall by dealing with his bullies and even helps him lose his virginity in a scene infused with Gadd's signature mix of desire, coercion, tenderness, and hate. However, the price Ruben demands escalates relentlessly over the years. He operates on survival instinct and animal cunning, exacting a toll that devastates Niall's emotional, mental, and physical freedom, especially as Niall grapples with his sexuality and the paralyzing fear of Ruben discovering the truth.
Interrogating Masculinity and Responsibility
The series delves deep into the adage that hurt people hurt people. Ruben, as revealed through Gadd and Campbell's performances, is a study in how terrorized individuals terrorize others. He instinctively senses vulnerability and exploits it, but the drama unflinchingly interrogates whether he can control his rage and violence when thwarted or expressing affection.
To a rare degree, Half Man challenges men—not just extreme cases like Ruben but also less toxic versions like Niall and the shadowy father figures in the story—to take responsibility for their actions. It poses blunt questions about when and why violence occurs, urging viewers to reflect on their own behaviors and power dynamics.
A Bleak and Brilliant Masterpiece
While the series has its weak spots, such as underwritten female characters and a potentially unconvincing final detonation, these are minor quibbles. Half Man is a brave and blazing achievement, leaving audiences with the rare feeling that everyone involved, from Gadd to the actors, has given their very best. Jamie Bell delivers a career-best performance, and the entire cast shines in this visceral exploration of human frailty.
If Jack Thorne's Adolescence is shown in schools, then Half Man deserves to be screened wherever men gather. Ruben represents an extreme on a scale that affects nearly half the population, highlighting that none of this behavior is acceptable. Let Gadd's drama serve as a powerful reminder of why change is necessary.
Half Man is available on BBC iPlayer in the UK from 6am on Friday 24 April. In the US, it airs on HBO Max, and in Australia, it is available on Stan.
