Whenever there is a massive news worthy event, there’s always a question in the back of my mind – “How long before it is turned into a movie?” – but with the Covid-19 pandemic we were still in national and global lockdowns when the films started to churn out of the mill. Some, like Adam Mason’s Songbird, romanticised and catastrophised the already catastrophic whereas others adopted a you-have-to-laugh-or-you’ll-cry approach, such as the Charlie Brooker’s mockumentary Death To 2020. Channel 4’s Help, starring Jodie Comer and Stephen Graham, delivers a story that takes a long hard, yet honest, look at the crisis and is angry at what it finds.

With her family in need of money, Sarah (Jodie Comer) applies for a job as a carer in Bright Sky nursing home, a residential care facility that is home to many with illnesses such as Alzheimer’s or dementia. The somewhat unorthodox interview reveals her spirited and tenacious personality, and wins her the job, and we quickly see that she is a perfect fit for the role. As she settles into the routine of her position, her affable nature and chatty disposition sees her build relationships and friendships with the residents of Bright Sky, but particularly with Tony (Stephen Graham), a resident with Young Onset Dementia.

Although the story, from Enola Holmes writer Jack Thorne, starts off fairly lighthearted and uplifting – think Derek but slightly more somber – but this builds up false pretenses and the film’s tone takes a harrowing turn as Covid-19 starts to take its grip on the UK and the struggles faced by the care industry are played out on the screen.

As the virus spreads, and with supplies of equipment not forthcoming, the situation deteriorates as resident’s names are stripped from the doors, their rooms sealed up, and staff are forced to isolate and quarantine until the tension builds to a spectacularly powerful 26 minute one-shot scene that sees Sarah, on a 20 hour shift, struggle to look after Kenny, an older patient, as he suffers from a Covid related coughing fit. Sarah’s calm and collected demeanour slowly gives way to panic and anger as she realises that she is truly on her own.

With the whole scene is underscored by the automated recording of NHS’s 111 hold message, the final blow of its emotional gut punch is delivered in one single powerful line,

“I’m sorry Kenny, no one’s coming.”

In all honesty, I would have had no complaints had the film dropped its mic and ended there but instead, it takes a slightly odd left turn for its third act which feels a little unnecessary, although when you finally understand the reasoning behind it it does help to round out the relationship between Sarah and Tony. However, I won’t dwell on that part too much for sake of saving you from spoilers.

Whilst some may find this film hits a little too close to home, depending on their experiences during the pandemic, overall Help is a powerfully poignant drama, with intensely compelling performances from Jodie Comer and Stephen Graham, that showcases a significantly underappreciated part of our healthcare system. An absolute must watch.

Help is available to stream on All4.