Very rarely does a TV show leave me speechless, but every now and again, something so special comes along that it reminds me exactly why I love this industry. Shows like Half Man must be acknowledged and discussed in depth, as they have the power to shape the continued development of more UK dramas that push boundaries and don’t shy away from the complexities of human behaviour. The Half Man finale aired last week, and I’ve only just managed to compose myself enough to fully process my thoughts. So let’s dive in.
Half Man Ending Explained and why Richard Gadd’s Latest Show Ended Perfectly
Following on from the success of Baby Reindeer, which I spoke about in depth in previous articles over at Collider, Half Man has been a wild six-week emotional rollercoaster, culminating in a gut-wrenching ending that left viewers completely divided. However, this shouldn’t come as too much of a shock to anyone who has read interviews with Richard Gadd, as he always intended for the show to be open to interpretation. Speaking in an interview for the BBC, Gadd explained more about his initial vision for Half Man ahead of the explosive ending:
“With my past projects, I’ve touched on masculinity in the context of my own struggles with being a man. All of my stories explore human feelings, but this time, I wanted to come up with an idea that explores what it means to be a man in this ever-changing world through these two characters. To me, it feels like the debate about men has reached quite a high pitch and, at the same time, become somewhat simplified.”
“Toxic masculinity” is a phrase we hear a lot, and while it can risk feeling overused, it’s also being discussed so widely for a reason. What’s interesting is that, despite that visibility, there are still aspects of it that haven’t yet been fully explored in the mainstream. I think that much of how society has been structured can lead to men having an inability to express themselves and express love and vulnerability, so it felt interesting to posit that conversation through Niall and Ruben.”
What exactly makes Half Man such a standout show?
From its first episode, Half Man pushed boundaries rarely seen in UK TV. It’s not for the faint-hearted and is unlike anything else currently on our screens. Something I found especially refreshing during the entirety of Half Man was the choice to cast ‘unknowns’ as young Niall and young Ruben. By doing this, Gadd allowed audiences to fully connect with these characters without expectation or ego.
Stuart Campbell’s portrayal of Ruben showcased an impressive range of acting, the likes of which are typically only witnessed in those far beyond his years. His intuitive, volatile, and utterly terrifying performance complemented Richard Gadd’s portrayal of Ruben in later years perfectly, with the two seamlessly utilising the same mannerisms and movements throughout.
Switching from deeply emotional to rage-fuelled scenes in such a seemingly effortless way gives Half Man a raw and humanistic feel that leaves us as viewers feeling wildly uncomfortable, yet unable to look away. It’s an addictive, gut-punch of a show that goes one step further than you ever expect it to, with dark and dramatic results.
Mitchell Robertson plants young Niall, and must also be applauded, not only for his stellar acting skills, but also for his ability to take viewers on a journey through every emotion possible as we watch Niall go from seemingly innocent youngster to a profoundly complex and troubled young man, struggling with his sexuality and self-worth. Both young stars must be considered for every award going when the time comes, as they are truly incredible actors who elevated every scene in consistently nuanced and surprising ways.
During the show, time flips from past to present day, and the actors change to reflect this. Present-day Ruben is played by Richard Gadd himself, and it is clear that he invested a lot of time into developing Ruben’s animalistic appearance and mannerisms. With every brute-like walk and subhuman grunt, Ruben’s persona is terrifying yet deeply complex.
Gadd’s performance is rivalled only by the supremely talented Jamie Bell (Billy Elliot), who swoops in and immediately captivates. The range that we see Niall go through must have been physically and mentally exhausting, but the actor was always at the top of his game, never once missing a beat when it came to emotional range or the odd moment of comedic timing.
Gadd and Bell’s chemistry together is electric, and perfectly brings to life the elements of power play, emotional boundaries, abuse, and narcissism that the show so frequently delves into. Every scene between them played out like some kind of intricately choreographed dance. Their movements, the wildly intense mix of love, jealousy, hatred, and an underlying inability to survive without each other, were both disturbing and fascinating to watch. I’d have signed up for 10 more series of their absolute carnage alone, quite honestly.
What happened at the end of Half Man?
After the show played out in some of the most horrific ways possible, there was no chance of it slowing down for the final episode, really was there? The Half Man finale was filled with genuine moments of tenderness between Niall and Ruben (the scene at the prison was one of the best things I’ve witnessed on TV in a very long time), and just when you thought that it couldn’t get more brutal, of course, Half Man took it up one final notch. The final ‘fight’ between Ruben and Niall left me exhausted and a sobbing mess. The pure energy in these scenes was off the charts, and their commitment to realism was evident. Ultimately, leading to a grisly Romeo and Juliet-esque demise.
Did Reuben die at the end of Half Man?
Whilst it is pretty evident that Ruben dies in the final episode of Half Man, what isn’t clear is exactly how, and that’s the beauty of Gadd’s ending, which is open to interpretation. Whilst I do understand that some viewers will find the lack of clarity frustrating after the wild ride we’ve been on with these characters, I also believe that it is a fitting way to end the show. Gadd tells Men’s Health magazine that he had written the ending of Half Man from the get-go, way back in 2019, before the TV show of Baby Reindeer was even developed. Gadd’s vision was clear: Niall and Ruben couldn’t live together and “had to die, in a way, together”.
In my opinion, this bold choice in Richard Gadd’s Half Man finale perfectly aligns with every decision and complexity that the show has chosen from start to finish. There are no easy ways out here for either of our lead characters, and Gadd’s decision to keep his foot on the gas until the very last minute only highlights his confidence in his vision for what I’m positive will now be a cult classic show and one that is forever etched in my mind. I’m sure many of you will agree. I’m thankful to Richard Gadd and all of the Half Man cast for their part in creating something that made us truly feel something, in whatever ways we chose to interpret those storylines and the brutality and emotion involved from all.
Watch all episodes of Half Man on BBC iPlayer and stream on demand, now.
