Watch Code Black

Code Black is a riveting and emotional documentary that delves into the high-pressure world of doctors, nurses, and patients in the emergency room of Los Angeles County Hospital. The film, which premiered at the Los Angeles Film Festival in 2013, is directed by Ryan McGarry, an emergency room physician at the hospital. The documentary takes its name from the term for the busiest level of an ER, where the number of patients exceeds the number of available resources. McGarry uses personal interviews, candid footage, and powerful scenes to explore the challenges and rewards of working in this intense environment.

The film introduces viewers to the residents and attendings of the hospital, including Dr. Cheng, Dr. Eads, and Dr. Eng, who struggle to balance their personal lives with the pressure and chaos of caring for critically ill patients. McGarry also puts a human face on the patients as they come in with a variety of conditions and emergencies, from gunshot wounds to drug overdoses to heart attacks.

Throughout the film, McGarry emphasizes the dire need for reform in the American healthcare system. He shows how the ER has become a safety net for patients who lack access to primary care, and how the hospital struggles to keep up with the influx of patients. McGarry argues that healthcare reform must prioritize preventative care over emergency care to alleviate the burden on the ER.

One of the most striking aspects of Code Black is its unfiltered portrayal of the raw emotions and humanity of the doctors, nurses, and patients. McGarry refuses to sugarcoat the reality of life and death decisions made in the ER, and he captures the intense psychological toll that such decisions can take on healthcare providers. He also brings a touch of humor and humanity to the film, showing the doctors and nurses bonding over their shared experiences and hardships.

The film also addresses the subject of medical training. As an ER physician himself, McGarry has unique insight into the grueling residency program that young doctors must endure. He uses the residents' experiences to highlight the physical and mental strain of medical training, and the toll it can take on personal lives and relationships.

Code Black is a powerful and thought-provoking documentary that will leave viewers with a newfound respect and appreciation for the doctors and nurses who work tirelessly to save lives in the ER. The film's raw emotional honesty will resonate with anyone who has experienced the trauma of illness or injury, and its call for healthcare reform is a vital reminder of the urgent need for change in the American healthcare system.

Overall, Code Black is an intense and emotionally charged documentary that sheds light on the often overlooked world of emergency medicine. It is a must-see for anyone who is interested in healthcare, social justice, or humanizing the face of modern medicine.

Code Black is a 2014 documentary with a runtime of 1 hour and 18 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.3 and a MetaScore of 77.