In the Prime Video Original series On Call, we are put inside squad cars right beside the Long Beach Police to apprehend criminals. Dissecting the moral obligations of and the weight of responsibility on the police force, the series uses the experiences of two police officers, training officer Traci Harmon and rookie Alex Diaz, to get its point across.
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On Call Prime Video Directors
Eriq La Salle, Brenna Malloy
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On Call Series Cast
Troian Bellisario, Brandon Larracuente, Monica Raymund, Robert Bailey, Lori Loughlin, Eriq La Salle, Mac Brandt, Rich Ceraulo Ko
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On Call 2024 Writers
Tim Walsh, Elliot Wolf, Molly Manning, Bryan Gracia, Tiffany Bratcher, John Conley
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On Call Release Date
09 December 2024
The series has 8 episodes, each with a runtime of around 30 minutes. It’s shot with a mixture of hand-held cameras, bodycam and dash-cam footage to create a cinema verité effect.
On Call Review
Prime Video’s new police procedural series is a mix of thrills and emotions, getting its balance quite right. The series showcases a cop duo trying to make it through the day while one of them tries to apprehend the murderer of one of her trainees. The series showcases the emotional, physical and mental toll that the job entails and discusses the nuances of their job.
The series is quite an impactful watch, starting with police officer Traci Harmon’s revenge story and then moving on to that of Alex Diaz. The storyline is simple but effective. The creators keep the tension alive from episode to episode and keep us engaged throughout. The entire series rests on the dynamic between Harmon and Diaz and actors Troian Bellisario and Brandon Larracuente keep things light when things aren’t taking a nosedive around them.
The overarching storyline focuses on the police department trying to control the local gang who they are constantly in conflict with. Apart from the regular issues, there’s also a dangerous cartel that adds to the tension and the series does a fantastic job of keeping things messy but uncomplicated, leaving us invested but also tensed. Throughout the 8 episodes, the department, especially Traci, tries their best to put an end to their violent behaviour once and for all, but of course, things are never that easy.
It’s nice watching everyone wrestle with their decisions and their problems, constantly trying to do what’s right but getting their personal issues come in the way. It makes all of these people shockingly human and leaves us to relate to their plights even more. The storyline’s progress is also great, with personal and professional issues meandering around each other well. I really enjoyed the pacing and the storytelling – it never gets overwhelming and neither does it ever drag. On Call is a nifty entertainer that gets most of its beats right.
The series further focuses on a ton of different issues that it tries its best to bring home. It handles all of it well, giving it context and showcasing how it affects the police officers. Plus, it also does a great job of what duty means for the officers and the standard to which they are constantly held. It’s never easy and sometimes people fail, but it’s the moments in which they don’t when the series truly shines. Plus, I think the series felt thoroughly raw and approaching, making the direction and editing stand out.
Lastly, protagonists Troian Bellisario and Brandon Larracuente shine in their roles. They share great chemistry and their mentor-mentee relationship will make your heart warm. Although Bellisario’s Traci is fighting some big demons and is usually harsh, she has a soft heart for the rookies under her wing and that is evident in every scene that she shares with Diaz. It’s warm watching their interactions, regardless of whether or not they are fighting with each other.
Final Thoughts
On Call is an entertaining and enjoyable watch that leaves us hooked to the screen. It’s uncomplicated and keeps things quite simple. For viewers who enjoy something simple but action-packed, this one will be right up your alley.
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