The Wasteland Reviewer

Code 3 (2025) Written Review

What is one of the most underappreciated and underpaid professions out there? Being a paramedic. This might seem like a profession that would get plenty of praise for saving lives…but that is not the case. Christopher Leone’ new film, Code 3, shines a light on paramedics, their work, and the adversity they must overcome to keep moving forward. 24-hour shifts open the door for horror, soul-sucking experiences, and plenty of heartbreak. There is a gallows humor in this line of work but also plenty of deeply emotional experiences for Leone and company to explore. 

Does Leone make the most of this darkly funny journey? First off, humor certainly hits. There are multiple moments throughout the film where the staging and atmosphere set up riotous laughter. Leone gives his talented cast the space to explore these tough yet inspired moments of darkly tinged humor. The ridiculous nonsense that our paramedics deal with is so insane that you cannot help but laugh and Leone certainly understands that outlet of relief. But Code 3 is not just a bunch of fun and games. There are plenty of funny moments and the pacing moves it along, but Leone finds some serious moments to highlight and explore as well. There are multiple moments including children on the verge of death, seriously injured individuals, and mentally unstable people needing space to come down. If those scenarios were enough, Leone challenges his characters and the audience with so many tough roadblocks that feel insurmountable. This is an eye-opening, emotional, and hilarious experience that Leone has in his hands. 

Does Leone’s screenplay do justice to the hard work of these paramedics? This is a brutally honest look with a darkly fun tinge. The dialogue is certainly sharp, and the cast of actors know how to deliver them. The script is filled with impactful experiences that feel authentic even if familiar and a bit clichéd at times. There aren’t a ton of original moments in the film, but the level of respect given to these moments and challenges makes them so impactful. There are a few character decisions and revelations that feel a bit convenient to make the film come together but there are enough elements here that land to overcome some of the ones that might take you out. There are a few storytelling elements like fourth wall breaking that feel a bit cliched but luckily the film’s lead, Rainn Wilson, makes them work. The journey of Wilson’s Randy feels overly familiar, and a bit forced but the film works well for the overall experience. 

Does this talented cast do the film enough to elevate some of the most cliché elements? Wilson is quite impressive for sure. You expect him to be snarky and funny. Wilson delivers on all the humorous elements so well. He brings out the disconnection and loss of faith inside of Randy so well. But he really shines and shows his talents in the moments as he comforts a young boy whose life is on the line. Wilson sells the emotional crashing out that Randy is experienced as he looks for an out of this paramedic life. Randy goes on quite the journey and Wilson sells every moment of it. Lil Rel Howery is downright hilarious as Wilson’s partner in crime. There are so many laughs in the film thanks to Howery. You even have Yvette Nicole Brown as Wilson’s boss who shines in her own right. She has one phone call in the film which produces one of the biggest laughs of the whole film. Aimee Carrero portrays the trainee riding on with them. Her character has plenty of space for fleshing out but instead Carrero is saddled with a walking cliché. Rob Riggle is a standout as the sarcastic, caustic, and cruel emergency room doctor who shows next to no respect for the hard work of these paramedics. 

Is Code 3 a worthwhile and respectful exploration of the life and challenges of paramedics? You can tell Leone has a passion and respect for the work of these unsung heroes. The cast does plenty of heavy lifting to elevate some of the more cliché and expected elements of the film. Wilson gets a new chance to lead a film, and he shows why he should be getting more of those opportunities. There are plenty of hilarious moments and even more that dig underneath the surface with some serious drama. Feel good, funny, and committed, Code 3 makes for a franchise in the future.