Mark Ruffalo & Lili Reinhart in the Most Heartwarming Family Series Ever!

The moment Hal climbs through his sister Harper’s window at 3 a.m. to take her to McDonald’s, it’s clear their brother-sister relationship is far from normal. They share no boundaries, constantly communicate, and are essentially the focal points of each other’s lives. It’s endearing, humorous, and undeniably unhealthy. Welcome to “Hal & Harper,” Cooper Raiff’s latest series now streaming on Mubi.

A Young Director’s New Direction

If Cooper Raiff isn’t a name you recognize, this American filmmaker in his thirties has already made a mark in the indie film scene with two poignant movies: “Shithouse” and “Cha Cha Real Smooth” (featuring Dakota Johnson).

Known for his naturalistic dialogue, delicate love stories, and nuanced acting, Raiff typically works with modest resources but applies them in a straightforward yet poetic manner. With “Hal & Harper,” he ventures away from romance to tackle a more intricate theme: family and its underlying traumas.

Siblings Stuck in Time

Harper, portrayed by Lili Reinhart (famous from “Riverdale” and awarded Best Actress at SériesMania), is 24 years old, stuck in a dreary office job, and dragging along in an uninspired romantic relationship. Her younger brother Hal, played by Cooper Raiff himself, is a college student who prefers to skip class and hang out at his sister’s apartment.

Their father, played by the ever-compelling Mark Ruffalo, deeply loves them but tends to withdraw emotionally when life gets too intense. In short, this family functions… but not quite effectively.

A Brilliant Twist That Changes Everything

A few episodes in, the series reveals a pivotal feature: to explore the childhood trauma that arrested their development, a detail of which will remain undisclosed here, Raiff makes a radical choice. In the flashbacks, the adult actors play their 7 and 9-year-old selves. Lili Reinhart towers over a tiny elementary school desk. Cooper Raiff plays basketball against actual children. The effect is a mix of comedic and heartbreaking.

This visual approach isn’t just a gimmick; it perfectly encapsulates the idea that these siblings had to grow up too quickly yet remained trapped in their childhood. At age 9, Harper was secretly smoking and reading dense literary works. At 7, Hal was already an anxious pleaser. When one can’t fully be a child, they never truly stop being one.

A Series That Dares to Dig Deep

Despite its light humor and indie soundtrack, “Hal & Harper” doesn’t shy away from tough themes. When Harper finally sets a boundary with her brother and asks him to leave, her face crumbles. The series captures these moments with stark realism and rawness.

Lili Reinhart delivers a stunning performance. Her character appears to have everything under control, but two decades of bottled-up emotions simmer beneath the surface. When they erupt, it’s catastrophic. Mark Ruffalo, as the loving yet flawed father, strikes a perfect balance between affection and selfishness. And Betty Gilpin, in a small role as the father’s new partner, illustrates what healthy, non-toxic love looks like.

“Hal & Harper” is available on Mubi, with a new episode releasing weekly starting October 19.