Michael Bay's 'Ambulance' Deserves a Second Look

The action thriller may have bombed at the box office, but it offers a fresh take on the genre.

Apr. 12, 2026 at 7:10pm

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An abstract close-up image featuring shards of broken glass and twisted metal fragments, conveying the intense, chaotic tone of an action movie.The raw, visceral visuals of Ambulance capture the gritty energy of a high-stakes action thriller set against the backdrop of Los Angeles.Los Angeles Today

Despite its $40 million budget and positive reviews, Michael Bay's 2022 action thriller Ambulance barely broke even at the box office. However, the film's innovative use of drone technology, focus on character dynamics, and integration of medical emergencies suggest it deserves a second chance. The author argues that Ambulance is a bold experiment that pushes the boundaries of what action cinema can achieve, even if it's not a perfect Michael Bay film.

Why it matters

Ambulance's box office failure highlights audience fatigue with Bay's signature style of loud, chaotic action. However, the film's unique approach, including its claustrophobic setting and grounded portrayal of Los Angeles, offers a blueprint for how action movies can evolve to be both innovative and emotionally resonant.

The details

Ambulance follows a bank heist gone wrong, with the criminals hijacking an ambulance to escape. The film leans into Bay's signature 'Bayhem' style, but does so in a self-aware way, using drone technology to create a sense of urgency and claustrophobia. The characters and their dynamics, particularly Jake Gyllenhaal's unhinged Danny and Yaya Abdul-Mateen II's conflicted Will, elevate the story. The medical aspect, with paramedic Cam (Eiza González) struggling to treat an injured cop, adds a layer of stakes not often seen in action films.

  • Ambulance opened against Sonic the Hedgehog 2 and an expanded release of Everything Everywhere All at Once in April 2022.

The players

Michael Bay

An American filmmaker known for his high-octane, visually-driven action movies, including the Transformers franchise.

Jake Gyllenhaal

An acclaimed American actor who starred as the unhinged criminal Danny in Ambulance.

Yaya Abdul-Mateen II

An American actor who played Will, the conflicted brother of Gyllenhaal's character, in Ambulance.

Eiza González

A Mexican actress who portrayed Cam, the paramedic struggling to treat an injured cop during the chaotic events of Ambulance.

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What they’re saying

“This is what action cinema can be when you strip away the pretension and just go for it.”

— Ray Christiansen, Author

The takeaway

Ambulance may have been a box office disappointment, but it offers a blueprint for how action films can evolve to be both innovative and emotionally resonant. By embracing the chaos of 'Bayhem' while also integrating grounded character dynamics and medical emergencies, the film suggests a future where action cinema can push the boundaries of the genre.