Watch Midnight Family

The movie "Midnight Family," directed by Luke Lorentzen, takes viewers on a thrilling, heart-wrenching ride through the streets of Mexico City as we follow the Ochoa family's ambulance service, known as the "Midnight Family." The Ochoas and their team aim to fill the major gap of emergency services in the city - with only 45 public ambulances for a population north of 9 million people.

The audience is introduced to 17-year-old Juan, who has taken over the family business since his father got injured. Throughout the documentary, we see the family's struggles to pay off loan sharks, and the ongoing battle with corrupt police officers who take bribes to allow them to continue their work. The Ochoa family's dedication to treating patients is commendable - they have to think innovatively and work long hours in order to keep their ambulance service operational and successful.

The film highlights many of the harrowing incidents that the Midnight Family encounters on a daily basis - often in the middle of the night when most of the city is sleeping. One such instance is when the team receives a call to tend to a young girl who has been in a hit-and-run accident. The team rushes to the scene, but when they try to take the girl to the hospital, they encounter issues with the police, who ask for a bribe to let them through. This sequence is a powerful reminder of the state of emergency services in the city and everything that the Ochoa family has to overcome daily to help those in need.

The film's visuals are both effective and raw, providing a rare insight into Mexico City's healthcare crisis, which is often overlooked by mainstream media. Through the lens of the Ochoa family's ambulance service, the viewer is able to see how a lack of resources can completely transform the way emergency medical services work - and ultimately what it means for people's lives. We see how patients are often forced to wait in the streets after an accident, without receiving any medical attention. And, for those that do manage to make it to a hospital, overburdened medical professionals means that they struggle to provide effective care.

With the backdrop of Mexico City's nightlife illuminating the streets, the film shows the stark reality of living in an under-resourced healthcare system. The Ochoa family's journey is a powerful indictment of systemic failings, and the team's resilience and ingenuity in the face of adversity is truly inspiring. It's a reminder of the ingenuity and determination that people are capable of, even in the face of seemingly insurmountable odds.

Overall, Midnight Family highlights critically important issues, while keeping the viewer both entertained and emotionally invested. The film captures the danger, emotion, and urgency of the situations faced by the Ochoa family and their colleagues, as they work to provide emergency medical care to those who need it the most. The Midnight Family raises important questions about the state of healthcare across the globe, and the significance of emergency services, which we take for granted. This film is a must-see for anyone who's interested in healthcare systems, and the human spirit to overcome significant obstacles to achieve their goals.

Midnight Family is a 2019 documentary with a runtime of 1 hour and 30 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.4 and a MetaScore of 81.