Will society ever reach a point where Emergency’s premise isn’t considered timely? The smartly written college comedy could have been released in the ’60s, ’70s, ’80s…you get my point…and would have been just as relevant and relatable.
Buchanan University roomies and BFFs Sean (RJ Cyler) and Kunle (Donald Watkins) couldn’t be more disparate. Kunle’s studious and on track to attend an Ivy League college. Sean’s goal is much less ambitious; he wants his photo on the Black Student Union wall. His plan? Make it into the Buchanan University history books by becoming the first Black student to complete the Legendary Tour. Sounds kind of impressive, doesn’t it? It is, I guess, if you consider hitting seven parties in one night impressive.
Sean’s Legendary Tour dream turns out to be a waking nightmare when he and Kunle discover an unconscious white girl (Maddie Nichols) on their living room floor. If this was the usual college comedy – you know, populated with goofy white guys – we’d be treated to some bumbling and stumbling before one of the dudes winds up falling for the girl. Or something of that sort. But Emergency isn’t a typical college frat boy film. Sean and Kunle aren’t going to be given the benefit of the doubt if they’re discovered with an obviously out-of-it white girl in their home.
Sean immediately realizes how quickly the situation can spiral out of control and refuses to allow Kunle to call the police. Their video game-obsessed roomie Carlos (Sebastian Chacon) sides with Sean, all too aware one wrong step – or even a right step interpreted the wrong way – could, best case scenario, lead to them being tossed in jail. The more likely outcome would involve one of the three roommates winding up dead, all because some random drunk girl walked through the wrong door.
Against all logic, Sean starts off as the de facto leader of the trio’s bizarre quest to dump the drunk chick somewhere safe. Kunle would be the better choice given that Sean’s cloaked in smoke, sucking on a vape and getting increasingly high as the night goes on.
Despite their good intentions, the bad decisions pile up and the odds of escaping the night without encountering the police decrease by the minute. And as the trio argue over how to survive the night, the film shifts from a college comedy to a gripping, insightful indictment of racism.
RJ Cyler and Donald Watkins are terrific, hitting all the right beats as Sean and Kunle’s last big night of partying before they leave Buchanan deteriorates into an evening of terror that could wind up destroying their lives. Screenwriter K.D. Dávila’s script is so spot-on, yet Emergency still manages to be incredibly entertaining while dealing with systemic racism. It’s not in the least bit nuanced; the message is in your face, unmistakable, and as attention-grabbing as flashing blue lights on a cop car.
GRADE: B+
MPAA Rating: R for drug use, some sexual references, and pervasive language
Running Time: 1 hour 45 minutes
Release Date: May 20, 2022 (limited) and May 27th on Prime Video
Directed By: Carey Williams
Studio: Amazon Studios
