Randy is a veteran paramedic running on empty. Years of witnessing the city’s darkest moments have left him emotionally drained, cynical, and completely burnt out. He’s made the decision to quit, leaving the high-stakes world of emergency medicine behind for good. But before he can turn in his kit, he has one final obligation: a grueling 24-hour shift where he must train his bright-eyed and optimistic replacement, Mike.

What Randy expects to be a long, tedious day of going through the motions quickly becomes anything but. The city throws everything it has at them—from the tragically absurd to the heart-wrenchingly dire—forcing Randy to confront the reasons he started the job in the first place. “Code 3” is a gritty, heartfelt, and darkly funny ride-along that explores the immense toll faced by first responders and the unexpected connections that can bring a broken spirit back to life.

Code 3 official cast

1. Rainn Wilson as Randy

Rainn Wilson delivers a career-best performance, stripping away his usual comedic antics to reveal a deeply layered and nuanced portrait of burnout and compassion fatigue. His Randy is a man armored in cynicism and gallows humor, using both as a shield against the daily trauma of his job. Wilson masterfully conveys the weight of a thousand lost patients behind every weary glance and sarcastic remark, making his character’s emotional shutdown utterly believable and profoundly human.

Wilson’s journey throughout the film is a powerful slow burn. As the relentless shift challenges his trainee, Mike, it also forces Randy to slowly dismantle his own defenses. Wilson allows glimmers of the dedicated, caring medic he once was to break through the hardened exterior, creating a heartbreaking and ultimately hopeful arc of a man rediscovering his purpose not in a dramatic moment, but in the quiet, relentless act of showing up for one more person.

2. Lil Rel Howery as Mike

Lil Rel Howery is the perfect counterbalance as Mike, the eager and idealistic new EMT assigned to Randy for his last shift. Howery brings his signature charm and relatable everyman energy to the role, but he also showcases impressive dramatic range. His Mike is not naive; he is hopeful, armed with fresh training and a genuine desire to help people, which constantly clashes with Randy’s jaded worldview.

Howery provides the film’s heart and much of its humor, often serving as the audience’s surrogate into the chaotic world of emergency response. His chemistry with Wilson is the engine of the film, their dynamic evolving from frustrating antagonism to a grudging respect and, finally, to a powerful, unspoken bond forged in the crucible of a single unforgettable day. He is the catalyst for Randy’s change, and Howery makes you believe he could soften the hardest of hearts.

3. Aimee Carrero as Jessica

Aimee Carrero shines as Jessica, a dedicated and resilient 911 dispatcher who acts as the calm, guiding voice in Randy and Mike’s ear throughout their chaotic shift. Carrero brings a grounded strength and warmth to the role, portraying Jessica as the unseen lifeline for both the paramedics in the field and the desperate callers on the line. Her performance, often from a isolated booth, is crucial in building the film’s tense atmosphere.

4. Rob Riggle as Dr. Serano

Rob Riggle is brilliantly cast against type as Dr. Serano, the no-nonsense, overworked, and perpetually exasperated ER attending physician. Riggle trades his typical loudmouth persona for a gruff, world-weary intensity that is both funny and authentic. His interactions with Randy are filled with the shorthand and dark humor of two veterans who have seen too much together, adding a layer of gritty realism to the hospital scenes.

5. Yvette Nicole Brown as Shanice

Yvette Nicole Brown brings authority and heart to the role of Shanice, the paramedic crew chief and Randy’s longtime friend and boss. Brown portrays Shanice as a leader who has managed to keep her compassion intact without losing her edge, a feat Randy deeply respects. She is the one person who can see through his cynicism and call him on it, and Brown brings a perfect mix of stern professionalism and deep caring to their scenes.

6. Page Kennedy as Officer Taggert

Page Kennedy appears as Officer Taggert, a seasoned police officer who frequently crosses paths with Randy and Mike on their calls. Kennedy brings a cool, collected presence to the role, representing a different but equally vital facet of first response. His character’s camaraderie with Randy speaks to years of shared experience on the streets, adding to the film’s authentic ecosystem.

7. Xolo Maridueña as Rookie

Xolo Maridueña makes a memorable appearance as a young, green police officer—a “rookie”—on one of the calls. Maridueña effectively captures the nervous energy and uncertainty of a first responder still learning to cope with the horrors they witness, providing a mirror to Mike’s own journey and a reminder of what Randy once was.

The Patients

The film features powerful, albeit brief, turns from its ensemble of patients, including Tree O’Toole as a Heroin Addict and Therese McLaughlin as a Crazy Woman. Their performances are raw and unflinching, providing the crucial human stakes that define Randy and Mike’s profession and force them to confront the profound impact of their work.

Why Code 3 Is a Must-See

• A Powerful Lead Performance: Rainn Wilson like you’ve never seen him before—raw, dramatic, and utterly compelling.

• Authentic Grit: Offers a realistic, unglamorous look at the daily lives of paramedics that is both heartbreaking and darkly humorous.

• Dynamic Duo: The chemistry between Wilson and Lil Rel Howery provides a perfect blend of comedy and deep emotion.

• A Tribute to First Responders: A film that truly honors the sacrifices, trauma, and incredible resilience of those who run towards danger.

His Final Call is Just the Beginning. Code 3 premieres in theaters September 12, 2025.