Emergency is a movie about serious and deep issues, wrapped up in a comedy exterior. It is a pleasant surprise, and the leads have amazing chemistry.
Emergency starts off a hilarious comedy, but then about twenty minutes in takes a sharp turn and never looks back. It remains a movie with many comedic moments, but it becomes so much more than that as it is unafraid to tackle racism and police bias. Kunle (RJ Cyler) and Sean (Donald Elise Watkins) are planning a night of partying to become their school’s first Black students to complete the legendary party tour, but things do not go as planned.
Before their night even really gets started they discover an uncurious white girl in their home who has clearly had way too much to drink. Instead of calling the police, for fear of what it looks like, they decide to get her the help she needs. As the film goes on they are constantly getting hit with more obstacles — making them feel like sometimes it isn’t always the best choice to do the right thing.
Emergency feels like it has some real stakes, as unfortunately these young men have everything to lose. Kunle has just gotten into Princeton and is afraid that he could lose everything if he continues to help this young girl named Emma (Maddie Nichols), who often acts like she does not want to his help.
She slips in and out of consciousness throughout the course of the movie, and is probably the most annoying part of it. Although her sister, played by Sabrina Carpenter, who is out looking for her, is not a walk in the park either.
This movie is real, raw, and heartbreaking at times. There are intense moments that feel like a race against the clock and will have you on the edge of your seat. It is unafraid to bring important issues with the world to light. One scene in particular, towards the end, is extremely hard to watch. It brought tears to my eyes because I knew it wasn’t far fetched at all — and probably happens every day.
For those that are easily disgusted, there are some gross moments. There is a little bit of blood, but there is a whole lot of strangely colored vomit that is definitely gag worthy.
All that being said, Emergency is not without its flaws. Something that really stuck with me is during one of her lucid moments, Emma climbs up a tree as she is running away. If she is supposed to be so drunk that she is vomiting and consistently passing out, how does she get bursts of energy randomly throughout the film?
When Emergency switches gears, yes, it gets intense at times, but it doesn’t lose its humor. There are several laugh out loud moments, which help to break up the tension. Watkins and Cyler have great on screen chemistry as best friends, and it is fun going on this journey with them — even if it isn’t all rainbows and unicorns.
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Rating: 3.5 out of 5
About Emergency
Straight-A college student Kunle and his laid-back best friend, Sean, are about to have the most epic night of their lives. Determined to be the first Black students to complete their school’s frat party legendary tour, the friends strap in for their ultimate assignment, Solo cups in hand.
But a quick pit stop at home alters their plans when they find a white girl passed out on the living room floor. Faced with the risks of calling the police under life-threatening optics, Kunle, Sean, and their Latino roommate, Carlos, must find a way to de-escalate the situation before it’s too late.
