SummaryThe Richard Gadd-created series centers on how the once close friendship between Ruben (Richard Gadd) and Niall (Jaime Bell) changed and became estranged 30 years later.
Created By:Richard Gadd
Half Man
Season 1 Premiere:
Apr 23, 2026
Metascore
Generally Favorable
67
User score
Generally Favorable
7.0
My Score
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All Seasons
Top Cast
Metascore
Generally Favorable
67
50% Positive
14 Reviews
14 Reviews
46% Mixed
13 Reviews
13 Reviews
4% Negative
1 Review
1 Review
Apr 23, 2026
100
“Half Man,” as you probably can guess, is a bit of an endurance test. But it has a storytelling mightiness and an acting fury you can’t deny or ignore. It wrings you out, and leaves you in awe of all involved.
Apr 21, 2026
90
“Half Man” is an excellent but difficult watch. A viciousness runs through the narrative, and countless acts of violence depicted. For those who stick it out, the final episode features one of the most emotionally shattering scenes on television.
Apr 22, 2026
82
Half Man can be emotionally obliterating, and some of the particularly brutal sequences may permanently burn themselves into the viewer's brain. But the series is artful in its approach, avoiding using violence simply for the sake of shock value.
Apr 24, 2026
60
Gadd proves he’s not a one-trick pony (or reindeer), but “Half Man” never entirely takes flight.
Apr 21, 2026
60
I came out moved—devastated, really—but ambivalent about whether its payoff had been worth the pain.
Apr 22, 2026
40
Gadd has a knack for creating appealing, recognizably human side characters. But they can’t make up for the lack of substance at the center of “Half Man.” .... It’s probably not a good sign when the only people you care about in a show are the ones your hero mistreats.
Apr 22, 2026
37
It doesn't even take all six episodes for the story to become one-note, dull and tedious, even as it piles on innovative moments of torment for its characters.
User score
Generally Favorable
7.0
69% Positive
9 Ratings
9 Ratings
15% Mixed
2 Ratings
2 Ratings
15% Negative
2 Ratings
2 Ratings
Apr 25, 2026
4
Baby Reindeer was so original and from the heart, it’s disappointing to see this show full of fear, bullying and toxic masculinity that even if there is a story in there, it’s just not worth telling. What is the relationship between these two people? All of it seems artificial and disgusting.
