The TV show "Painkiller" is a 2023 American drama miniseries available on Netflix. It centers on the origins and devastating effects of the opioid crisis in the United States, specifically focusing on Purdue Pharma and the Sackler family, who manufactured and marketed OxyContin. The series is based on investigative journalism articles that detail the company's role in fueling addiction and public health consequences. The narrative follows multiple perspectives, including an investigator exposing Purdue Pharma, a mechanic who becomes addicted after being prescribed OxyContin, and a Purdue sales representative caught in the ethical dilemma of promoting the drug. The show aims to depict the opioid epidemic's impact on individuals and society, highlighting the corporate greed and systemic failures behind it. While "Painkiller" provides a dramatized view of the crisis and the pharmaceutical industry's role, some critics have found it less impactful and original compared to other shows like Hulu's "Dopesick." The series has been noted for its attempt to balance personal stories of addiction with corporate accountability but may struggle with tone and narrative cohesion. Key details:
- Released: August 2023
- Platform: Netflix
- Format: Miniseries (6 episodes)
- Main themes: Opioid crisis, Purdue Pharma, Sackler family, addiction
- Notable cast: Uzo Aduba, Matthew Broderick, Taylor Kitsch
This depiction serves as a sobering dramatization of one of America's most severe public health crises.
