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Season 1 – Critical: Between Life and Death

Play trailer Poster for Season 1 – Critical: Between Life and Death Jul 2025 Documentary Play Trailer Watchlist
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86% Tomatometer 7 Reviews Popcornmeter Fewer than 50 Ratings
From critical emergencies to the operating room, following London's trauma centers as they treat the most severely injured.
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Critical: Between Life and Death — Season 1

Critics Reviews

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Craig Mathieson The Age (Australia) Aug 18
3/5
It’s gory and authentic. There’s a major failing in how the events that created these crises are retrospectively depicted, but it’s compelling when the patients connect with the unflappable professionals, such as Dr Lala Asim. Go to Full Review Margaret Lyons New York Times Jul 30
All the action of the show is riveting, and all the health care providers are calm and competent. Go to Full Review Ben Dowell The Times (UK) Jul 29
3/5
It’s beautifully done, even the many drone shots of the London skyline — a cliché in much factual programming now. Only thing is, you feel it’s been done before. Go to Full Review Christopher Stevens Daily Mail (UK) Aug 4
2/5
It's arrogant of Netflix to assume they can elbow their way into this market and give the formula a new twist... the six episodes of Critical feel robotic and slightly insincere, a cynical attempt to steal another broadcaster's successful format. Go to Full Review Joel Keller Decider Jul 25
Critical: Between Life And Death doesn’t try to be chaotic; its format gives the cases that come through the various trauma centers real story arcs... which helps us connect with both the patients and the people working in London’s trauma system. Go to Full Review Ed Power iNews.co.uk Jul 23
3/5
Where Critical does well is in reminding the viewer that highly qualified consultants and surgeons are human, too. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Michelle F @Micha88 Dec 4 Loved it! Learned a lot and was fascinating to see the hospital world. Well made! See more Jim B @RT97827028 Nov 15 This is edge of your seat stuff! Gives you a new appreciation to all hospital staff especially the surgeons. I think this should be required watching for all UK politicians because then there would be no need to worry about funding for the crown jewel of the nation which is the NHS! This IS however not for the squeamish. See more Laura L @laurakali Oct 8 Seeing how London handles these emergencies is fascinating. Seems so organized with modern communication systems. Better than watching all the murder documentaries for sure. See more Leanne C @RT12305167 Aug 12 As someone who loves all things medical and wants to study medicine, I hope a season 2 of this show comes out. I love how it shows the real surgeries and the way the doctors, nurses and surgeons interact with each other so professionally, even the 999 staff! It is nice to see patients and staff being treated so well. In the healthcare field we need to see this. We need more real life medical shows!!!!! See more Hilary S @RT56522066 Aug 3 Absolutely fascinating and deeply moving. I thought I would be turned off by the considerable amount of gore -- the detail of major injuries is shown all too clearly -- but it's incredibly beautiful and touching to see the medical professionals performing miracles as they repair bones, tendons and blood vessels. And it's one heck of an advertisement for the National Health Service: NOBODY being treated fears the medical bills that wreck lives here in the U.S., and the hospital staff and paramedics -- of all races and genders -- are obviously highly skilled and deeply committed to their work. See more Dave C @RT09838700 Aug 2 Absorbing and informative, this bridges many of the gaps left by other similar dramas about the frontline emergency care services, as we see and hear more of what the trauma teams do in support of patients See more Read all reviews
Critical: Between Life and Death — Season 1

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Episodes

Episode 1 Aired Jul 23, 2025 London's Major Trauma System springs into action when a fairground ride malfunction in Brockwell Park results in multiple critically injured patients. Details Episode 2 Aired Jul 23, 2025 A life-threatening head injury from an assault and an open leg fracture from a motorcycle accident both require urgent surgery to prevent the worst. Details Episode 3 Aired Jul 23, 2025 As the surgical teams discuss options, the air ambulance rushes to help a patient who has been diagnosed with a polytrauma, the worst level of injury. Details Episode 4 Aired Jul 23, 2025 The operations unit dispatch an ambulance for a construction worker who sustained a laceration to his wrist after falling through a pane of glass. Details Episode 5 Aired Jul 23, 2025 The family of an assault victim wrestles with how much the trauma has altered his personality after the critical care team wake him from his coma. Details Episode 6 Aired Jul 23, 2025 A team of orthopaedic surgeons prepare for high-risk pelvic surgery, where any margin of error could cause permanent nerve damage. Details

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Critical: Between Life and Death — Season 1

Critical: Between Life and Death Critical: Between Life and Death Critical: Between Life and Death View more photos

Season Info

Network
Netflix
Rating
TV-MA
Genre
Documentary
Original Language
British English
Release Date
Jul 23, 2025
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