Two Siblings Navigate Family, Growing Up, and the Complicated Bonds of Home
2025
Comedy, Coming-of-Age
9 episodes
TheNextHint Score
8.8
8.8 / 10
Overview
Hal & Harper is a comedy-drama centered on characters, following two siblings as they attempt to mature without fully releasing the family dynamic that molded them. Cooper Raiff developed the series and plays Hal alongside Lili Reinhart as Harper, with Mark Ruffalo portraying their father. The narrative kicks off when their father announces he is expecting a baby with Kate, causing a significant upheaval in the family and pushing Hal and Harper to face their tangled childhood. The series blends present-day scenes with flashbacks to examine their relationships, emotional burdens, and evolving views on adulthood. Instead of centering on a single big mystery or dramatic reveal, the show builds its narrative around family discussions, personal errors, grief, romance, and the uneasy experience of drifting apart while still loving each other deeply.
Quick Verdict
Hal & Harper suits viewers who like intimate family dramas that blend humor, relationship struggles, and character-driven storytelling. What sets it apart most is how it links the siblings' adult lives to their childhood experiences, rather than using their family history as mere backdrop. Those who prefer fast-paced plots might find its slower style less engaging.
Hal & Harper is a 2025 American comedy-drama series that Cooper Raiff created, wrote, and directed, and in which he also portrays Hal. The narrative centers on Hal and his older sister Harper, two siblings whose remarkably close bond has seen them through a tough childhood and into complicated adult lives in Los Angeles. Their usual rhythm is disrupted when their father reveals that he and his girlfriend, Kate, are expecting a baby, and that he is also getting ready to sell the family home where Hal and Harper grew up. This news pushes the siblings to confront the emotional patterns that have defined their relationship and shaped each of their lives.
The series shifts between the siblings’ current experiences and recollections of their childhood, revealing how their father’s own difficulties left their mark on them as they were growing up. Harper is played by Lili Reinhart, their father is portrayed by Mark Ruffalo, and Kate is played by Betty Gilpin. Rather than following a conventional sitcom format, the show blends family drama, awkward humor, relationships, grief, and coming-of-age themes. The series is defined by its intimate treatment of family dynamics and its naturalistic dialogue. Season one consists of nine episodes, with each episode running roughly 25 to 43 minutes.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Hal & Harper about?
Hal (Cooper Raiff) and Harper (Lili Reinhart) grow up too fast because of their father (Mark Ruffalo) in the dramedy from Raiff.
Who created, wrote, or directed Hal & Harper?
Created by Raiff
Is Hal & Harper based on a true story?
No. Hal & Harper is a fictional television series created and written by Cooper Raiff.
How many episodes does Hal & Harper have?
Season 1 has 9 episodes, with runtimes ranging from approximately 25 to 43 minutes.
Who plays Hal and Harper?
Cooper Raiff plays Hal, while Lili Reinhart plays Harper.
Where can I watch Hal & Harper?
The series is available through MUBI in supported markets, with additional purchase or channel options varying by country.
Story — Spoiler Free
Hal and Harper are grown siblings residing in Los Angeles, and their lifelong bond has allowed them to cope with the challenges of their upbringing. Their family is upended when their father reveals that he and his girlfriend, Kate, are expecting a baby, and the siblings' childhood home is simultaneously put up for sale. This revelation resurfaces old memories and buried emotions. As the narrative moves back and forth between the present and their early years, Hal, Harper, and their father start to face how their history has influenced their relationships, characters, and decisions.
8.8
TheNextHint Score
8.8 / 10
Hal & Harper suits viewers who like intimate family dramas that blend humor, relationship struggles, and character-driven storytelling. What sets it apart most is how it links the siblings' adult lives to their childhood experiences, rather than using their family history as mere backdrop. Those who prefer fast-paced plots might find its slower style less engaging.
Rating breakdown
Story
9.0
Acting
9.0
Direction
9.0
Visuals
8.0
Sound
9.0
Entertainment
9.0
External Ratings
Scores from other sources, shown in their own scale. These are not TheNextHint's rating.
Hal & Harper benefits from naturalistic family writing, strong performances from its central cast, a distinctive time-shifting structure, and an emotionally focused story that balances awkward humor with serious themes.
Cons
The slow, intimate storytelling and heavy focus on family relationships may feel less engaging for viewers looking for a fast-moving plot or conventional sitcom-style comedy.
Who Should Watch
Family Drama Fans
Character-Driven Drama Fans
Coming-of-Age Drama Fans
Who Should Skip
Action Fans
Thriller Fans
Release Date
2025-10-19
Runtime
25–43 minutes per episode
Director
Cooper Raiff
Producer
Thomas Hartmann
Writer
Cooper Raiff
Cast
Cooper Raiff, Lili Reinhart, Mark Ruffalo, Betty Gilpin, Alyah Chanelle Scott, Addison Timlin, Havana Rose Liu, Christopher Meyer, Ayla Manji, Lincoln Bloomfield, Azra Anna Kearns, Pierce Nation
One of the two central siblings, navigating adulthood while remaining closely connected to Harper.
Lili Reinhart
as
Harper
Hal's older sister, whose relationships and personal choices are closely tied to the family's history.
Mark Ruffalo
as
Dad
Hal and Harper's father, whose announcement about having another child becomes the catalyst for much of the story.
Betty Gilpin
as
Kate
Dad's girlfriend, who is expecting a baby with him.
Seasons & Episodes
Season 1
9 episodes October 19, 2025Completed
Hal and Harper confront the changes affecting their family while the series moves between their adult lives and formative childhood experiences, gradually revealing why their family remains so emotionally connected.
1Pilot
26 min October 19, 2025
Hal and Harper's childhood home is put on the market while their father's major announcement sends the family into an emotional journey through the past.
2Going to Each Other
25 min October 19, 2025
After concerning news about the baby, Hal and Harper travel to San Francisco to check on their father and Kate.
3Our House
30 min October 26, 2025
The siblings deal with social struggles during childhood while their father faces emotional wounds from his past and present.
4Adventure Landing
29 min November 2, 2025
Hal and Harper struggle to fit in with their classmates while Dad takes them to an arcade.
5Halloween
30 min November 9, 2025
Harper and Jesse reflect on their relationship while Hal tries to move forward after a difficult conversation with Abby.
6Didn't Even Hurt
33 min November 16, 2025
Dad remembers his past and the comfort he found in his children while facing an important decision in the present.
7Vegas
36 min November 23, 2025
Harper spends time with Audrey while Hal travels to Las Vegas with Kalen for his grandmother's funeral.
8Are You Watching? Part 1
25 min November 30, 2025
Past and present begin to collide as Hal, Harper, and Dad confront the emotional consequences of their shared history.
9Are You Watching? Part 2
43 min November 30, 2025
The season's concluding chapter continues the collision between the family's past and present.
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