Lili Reinhart has been selected as TVLine's Performer of the Week for her role in the series finale of Mubi's family drama Hal & Harper. The eight-episode series, created by Cooper Raiff, explores themes of family trauma and personal growth. Reinhart's portrayal of Harper, a young woman grappling with her mother's suicide, delivers a standout emotional performance.
Performance Highlights
In the episode 'Are You Watching?', aired on November 30, 2025, Reinhart plays Harper, the co-dependent sister to Cooper Raiff's character Hal. The series features Mark Ruffalo as their emotionally distant father and Betty Gilpin as his pregnant partner. Reinhart's work stands out for its raw depiction of grief and the struggle for independence after two decades of family avoidance around their mother's suicide.
A pivotal moment occurs when Harper announces her plan to move after Hal's college graduation, seeking to connect with her mother's family. She delivers the line, 'It'll be so hard to leave, but for the first time, I really want to be apart,' capturing her internal conflict between sibling loyalty and personal freedom.
Series Context
Hal & Harper marks Reinhart's most acclaimed performance since her role as Betty Cooper in Riverdale. The show uses flashbacks, often with Raiff and Reinhart portraying their younger selves, to reveal childhood impacts. One affecting scene shows young Harper, after experiencing a 'normal' family on a playdate, running away and sobbing to her father, 'I want my mom, please. I want my mom.' This highlights the lasting effects of loss on a child.
The full series is now available to stream on Mubi. Resources for those in crisis include calling or texting 988 or visiting 988lifeline.org.