# I Know This Much Is True (2020)

> Identical twin brothers Dominick and Thomas Birdsey live parallel, often broken lives across twentieth century America, bound by betrayal, sacrifice and forgiveness.

Canonical page: https://ember.film/tv/74844

## Facts

- Seasons: 1
- Episodes: 6
- Episode runtime: 60 min
- Status: Ended
- Genres: drama
- Created by: Derek Cianfrance
- Network: HBO
- Cast: Mark Ruffalo, Melissa Leo, Rosie O'Donnell, Archie Panjabi, Kathryn Hahn, John Procaccino, Rob Huebel, Michael Greyeyes
- TMDB rating: 8.1/10
- IMDb: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0425118/

## Ember's analysis

- Pacing: measured
- Intensity: strong
- Complexity: dense
- Violence: moderate
- Tone: melancholic, intense, sincere, bleak, cathartic

## What critics say

Audience reception is positive, with viewers praising the emotional weight of the twin storyline and Mark Ruffalo's dual performance.

## Synopsis

I Know This Much Is True (2020) is an American limited series created by Derek Cianfrance for HBO. Mark Ruffalo plays both identical twin brothers, Dominick and Thomas Birdsey, whose parallel lives unfold across decades of twentieth century America. Melissa Leo plays their mother, Concettina Ipolita Tempesta 'Ma' Birdsey, whose hold over the family shapes both sons. Dominick, a troubled man, and Thomas, who struggles with his own fragile mind, are pulled back into old wounds, sacrifices and betrayals as they try to build lives for themselves. Kathryn Hahn and Rosie O'Donnell appear among the principal supporting cast. The six-episode story moves between timelines, letting childhood trauma and adult choices speak to one another. Told as a single continuing arc rather than case by case, it is a slow, emotionally heavy family drama with a visceral, melancholic register. Its concern is loyalty and the difficulty of forgiving those we love most. Fans of Olive Kitteridge, Big Little Lies and Mr. Robot will find resonance in its intimate character focus and its searching look at damaged family bonds.

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