Jean-Stéphane Sauvaire manages to establish a deeply depressing atmosphere in “Asphalt City,” which is a difficult, intense experience likely to challenge many viewers. Adapted from Shannon Burke’s 2008 novel “Black Flies,” the movie portrays the harsh realities of New York City through the perspective of paramedics working amid the chaos and violence that exists beneath the surface of American urban life. The film centers on Ollie Cross (Tye Sheridan), a young paramedic who is assigned to the night shift with experienced partner Gene Rutkovsky (Sean Penn) as he prepares for medical school. Each 911 call exposes a city in crisis, and while these men risk their own safety to assist others, the nightly horrors begin to take a severe toll on Ollie’s mental state, sending him into a disturbing downward spiral. The film presents an intense and uncompromising depiction of emergency medicine's difficult realities, immediately immersing viewers in the action. By accompanying these paramedics in the ambulance, Sauvaire creates a sense of realism that is both striking and dramatic, establishing the tone for what follows. It’s not easy to watch, but it’s certainly captivating. The movie explores complicated ideas, particularly how moral and ethical ambiguity affects the characters. As the story progresses, it takes a dark turn, showing the psychological impact of witnessing trauma and death as part of a typical evening's work for these men. This leads to mental health crises, resulting in changes to Ollie’s personality and a descent into darkness. The situation worsens when the men begin to believe they are saviors acting like gods on the streets of NYC. A caution for sensitive viewers: the medical scenes offer a very realistic and graphic depiction of emergency procedures. They are detailed and disturbing, and those who dislike blood and gore may find this film difficult to endure. Those interested in medicine will likely appreciate the level of detail and accuracy. Despite strong acting and an engaging story, “Asphalt City” is let down by a predictable ending that relies on overused conventions of dark drama. I genuinely enjoyed most of the movie; it’s so bleak that I felt like I needed to shake off the sense of darkness and despair that lingered with me even after the credits finished.

Source on TMDB