‘Critical: Between Life and Death’ Netflix Series Review - Delving Into Real-Life Medical Cases

If you are someone who is intrigued by Grey’s Anatomy, Doctor Strange, and The Good Doctor (these are all the medical shows I have watched and could think of so far), then this docuseries is just for you. We have always watched shows that are a fiction version of reality. But what if you get to see the facts this time with real doctors, real patients, and real cases? Netflix brings us that with the documentary “ Critical: Between Life and Death”. Using over 40 embedded cameras and shot for 21 days, we are taken into London’s Major Trauma System, where matters are critical and life hangs in the hands of the caregivers, aka the medical staff.

Every episode you see will take you straight to the emergency ward where we not only follow the story and journey of the patient, but also that of the doctors and nurses involved. One thing is for sure: once you wrap up watching this, you will have immense respect for doctors and the rest of the medical staff. Not to mention, this series goes so deep that it even shows us how the patients are brought into the hospital- through ambulances, and airlifted post a major accident. Right from amputation to brain trauma, we see a plethora of cases through this docuseries. It also sheds light on what the medical staff undergoes daily. And mind you, none of it is easy. They handle patients and undergo an equal or greater amount of stress in life.

However, I must give warnings. If you are someone who cannot watch blood or medical stuff, then this might not be a good watch for you. I say so because there are moments when you, as a viewer, might feel uncomfortable with the cases that are shown. The fact that all this is real can also add to the feel of discomfort.  So watch only if you are a fan and a brave heart.

The series is high on emotion for obvious reasons. It's also fast paced and doesn’t feel dull. Some cases of the patients can stretch over multiple episodes, but that’s fine. It creates and maintains the flow and continuity.  Through life clippings of operations and similar clippings, the series brings reality very close to us. We also get to see how the UK’s healthcare system functions in times of emergency.

To sum up, this show is heart-warming and impactful. It requires time to watch, so only if you can dedicate time, take up this six-episode docuseries. It teaches us that behind human resilience is another profession of medics and paramedics who go out of their way as caregivers. Without them, none of us would survive, which is another reason to be thankful. So step away from fiction for a while and watch this reality.

Final Score- [8/10]
Reviewed by - Neerja Choudhuri
Follow @NeerjaCH on Twitter
Publisher at Midgard Times