A Mistake (2024) is a medical drama directed by Christine Jeffs, adapted from Carl Shuker’s 2019 novel. The film stars Elizabeth Banks as Elizabeth “Liz” Taylor, a distinguished surgeon in a New Zealand hospital. During a routine operation on a 29-year-old patient named Lisa, Liz allows her inexperienced registrar, Richard, to perform a critical part of the procedure. Richard’s error leads to complications, and despite the team’s efforts, Lisa dies from advanced sepsis post-surgery. This incident sets off a chain of events that challenges Liz’s professional standing and personal relationships.

As the hospital initiates a new policy of publicly reporting surgeons’ performances, Liz faces scrutiny from her superiors, colleagues, and the patient’s grieving parents seeking answers. The head of surgery, Andrew McGrath, prioritizes the hospital’s reputation over transparency, pressuring Liz to conform to the official narrative. Simultaneously, Liz’s partner, Robin, a nurse at the hospital, becomes distant, further isolating her. The film delves into themes of accountability, medical ethics, and the personal toll of professional pressures, offering a nuanced portrayal of a surgeon grappling with the aftermath of a single, life-altering mistake.