Hal & Harper MUBI
If you’re in the mood for something messy, heartfelt, and quietly adventurous, Hal & Harper, now streaming on MUBI, might just be the series you didn’t know you needed.
Created, written, and directed by Cooper Raiff, the show centers around a brother-sister duo: Hal (played by Raiff himself) and Harper (played by Lili Reinhart) who’ve grown up deeply intertwined — emotionally, physically (they share a bed for a large part of their childhood), and mentally. When their father (played by Mark Ruffalo) returns with a bombshell announcement — he’s having a new baby with his girlfriend — it sets off a ripple effect of introspection, reckoning, and unraveling.
The series plays with structure in interesting ways: it shifts between the siblings’ adulthood and their childhood — often using the same adult actors to play both versions of themselves. It sounds odd, and yes, sometimes it is. But somehow, the surreal framing works — or at least, it keeps you curious.
What Works
The performances are easily the standout. Lili Reinhart brings surprising depth to Harper — she’s funny, broken, closed off, and painfully aware of how much of her identity is wrapped up in her role as Hal’s emotional crutch. Raiff, as Hal, leans into vulnerability and awkwardness with a kind of charm that doesn’t feel forced.
The emotional honesty of the series is refreshing. This isn’t your typical trauma-fest or melodrama. It’s more about the quiet things: the way we carry childhood grief, the way our parents shape us without trying, and how hard it is to become your own person when your identity has always been shared.
There’s also a quiet ambition in how the show is made — from its dreamlike transitions to the way it captures nostalgia without romanticizing it. It’s beautifully shot, but never overly polished. It lets the cracks show — and those cracks are often where the light gets in.
What Might Not Work for Everyone
The pacing is slow. It meanders. There’s no huge twist, no shocking ending, no villain. If you like tight, plot-heavy TV — this might not be your jam.
The decision to have adult actors play their child selves is… divisive. Sometimes it lands with emotional impact. Other times, it’s distracting — almost theatrical in a way that pulls you out of the moment.
And while the series is packed with emotion, it’s not a comforting watch. It deals with grief, codependency, loneliness, and generational silence. It’s not “feel good” — but it is feel deeply.
Final Verdict : It’s flawed, a little indulgent, but full of heart. Definitely worth the watch if you’re craving something honest, messy, and human.
Rating: 4/5
