Is Painkiller on Netflix worth watching this weekend?
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Netflix's latest limited series Painkiller explores the creation and impact of Purdue Pharma's Oxycontin. Starring Uzo Aduba and Matthew Broderick, the six-part series is a complex and moving drama, with four interwoven storylines highlighting the devastating impact the drug had on millions of Americans.
However, with a run time of nearly five hours, is it worth watching this weekend? Here's everything you need to know.
What is Netflix's Painkiller about?
Based on the book Painkiller by Barry Meier and the New Yorker Magazine article 'The Family That Built an Empire of Pain’ by Patrick Radden Keefe, Painkiller is a six-part limited series telling the story of the Sackler family, in particular Richard Sackler (Matthew Broderick), who own Purdue Pharma and were known for developing OxyContin.
The series interweaves Richard's story with three other main plot lines which explore the impact of the drug's development. There's Edie Flowers (Uzo Aduba), a lawyer, determined to put an end to the destruction OxyContin is having on people's lives. Shannon Shaeffer (West Duchovny), a sales rep for OxyContin, taken in by the riches and glamour distributing OxyContin can offer. And Glen Kryger (Taylor Kitsch), a mechanic who becomes addicted to OxyContin after an accident.
Through these four character's lives we see the impact OxyContin brought to millions of Americans.
Who's in the Painkiller cast?
The cast of Painkiller is honestly next level. Starring as Richard Sackler is Matthew Broderick, who you'll probably best know from Ferris Bueller's Day Off, as the voice of adult Simba in The Lion King, and from the stage and screen productions of The Producers.
Uzo Aduba stars as Edie Flowers and you'll probably best know her from her role as Crazy Eyes in Orange Is The New Black.
Also in the cast is Taylor Kitsch as Glen Kryger, best known for his roles in Friday Night Lights, X-Men Origins: Wolverine, John Carter and True Detective. West Duchonvy takes on the role of Shannon Shaeffer alongside Dina Shihabi as Britt Hufford.
Clark Gregg, John Rothman and Sam Anderson star as members of the Sackler family.
What other shows is Painkiller similar to?
The most obvious comparison to Painkiller is the Hulu series Dopesick, starring Michael Keaton, Kaitlin Dever and Will Poulter, which centres on the opioid crisis with particular reference to the creation of OxyContin. So if you enjoyed that series, this is one for you.
If you're a fan of other series and films based on real life events such as Netflix's The Good Nurse or the 2019 film Dark Waters, then Painkiller is definitely your vibe.
So, should I watch Painkiller on Netflix? Our review
Ahead of Painkiller's release we binge-watched the series, which leads us to our first point, Painkiller is not the type of series to be watched in one sitting. Each episode is very heavy and there's a lot to take in, with occasional distressing and upsetting scenes, so if you're going to watch the series, take it one episode at a time.
Each episode begins with a disclaimer that the series is based on real life events, but some things have been fictionalised. A real person then shares the story of a loved one who has been impacted by OxyContin. These stories were incredibly moving, and a strong reminder that this isn't just a drama series, but about a real life drug that has impacted millions.
Each episode then sees the four main storylines interwoven, with the characters often overlapping to show the creation and subsequent impact of OxyContin. These storylines are told alongside an older Edie Flowers narrating the story through a conversation with lawyers.
The main problem with Painkiller is that at times it felt unclear if the series is supposed to be a dramatised documentary, or a drama. Edie's narration often takes you out of the heart of the story and, it can feel like you're watching a dramatic retelling in a documentary, which is a bit jarring.
If you can get over the slightly odd format of the series, the actual storylines of the four main characters are engaging and you become completely invested in them. Through Glen's storyline you come to understand how easy it would be to become addicted to OxyContin, and with Shannon's story the allure of working for Purdue becomes evident.
We challenge you not to have your heart broken during one particular scene with Glen in episode six, or to not feel the rage and pain of Edie throughout the series. And we can't not mention the performances of Uzo Aduba as Edie and Matthew Broderick as Richard, which are truly the stand out of the series.
One storyline we weren't so keen on however, was the sub-plot about Richard Sackler's smoke alarm, which (spoiler alert) doesn't really get resolved - or add anything.
Ultimately, Painkiller is worth a watch if you want to learn more about OxyContin and for Uzo Aduba's performance alone, but just be prepared for it to take a few episodes to really get into it.
Painkiller is available on Netflix now
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