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Painkiller is new six-part Netflix series, and while this is a drama, based on real events and with some fictionalised scenes, it’s initially introduced by the mother of Christopher Trejo, who was prescribed Oxycontin, and died at just 32, way before his time. What a lovely lady and I hope this series does help get to the truth about everything that happened.
In fact, all six episodes are introduced in the same way, with some people who have passed away being older, and some younger. It’s heartbreaking to watch, and you long for the conclusion you want to happen.
The opening episode, then introduces the head of Purdue Pharma, Richard Sackler, played by Matthew Broderick (No Hard Feelings, and of course, Ferris Bueller’s Day Off), and thanks to age, he looks like an elderly Philip Seymour Hoffman. However, he is clearly a bit of a dumbass for putting his smoke detector high up on the ceiling. Why not do like me, and put it on top of the tall fridge? Easily reachable!
However, his company is being sued for starting the opiod epidemic, with hundreds of cases being condensed into one. Taking the lead is Edie Flowers (Uzo Aduba – Solos), who comes across rather like Whoopi Goldberg, and after Sackler gave his testimony, it’s now her turn, but she’s so disgusted with him, she doesn’t even want to be in the same room as the chair in which he sat!
The investigation into over-prescribing comes thick and fast from Ms Flowers, as we go back to 1998, and she’s tracking down doctors who charge for procedures they don’t perform, such as one who claims he performs 50 x-rays a day, yet she checks out the machine and… it’s gathering dust(!)
And when an example is given of how Oxycontin is given out freely “if you get hurt”, we’re shown a scenario at a vehicle repair garage, and it’s like the opening of an episode of Casualty, wondering to whom and when the bad stuff is going to happen…
I don’t want to say who ends up in a bad way, because it’s played out in a scenario where you can’t be sure.
As an aside, as it’s 1998, Edie plays the original Tomb Raider on the PS1. Ah, those were the days…
By way of more intros for the characters, some of whom are true-to-life, we come to Richard’s uncle, Arthur Sackler (Clark Gregg – Being The Ricardos), who performed lobotomies, then changed to drugs instead, including Valium. The business was later handed down to Richard, who brought in Oxycontin. He thinks this will solve everyone’s problems, and the drama neatly shows how he conquered the market, and marketed it to everyone.
Also thrown into the mix is young Shannon Schaeffer (West Duchovny, looking like a young Jennifer Lawrence), brought under the wing of Britt Hufford (Dina Shihabi – Jack Ryan Season 1), who grooms her into the job of selling as much product to every chemist and doctor they can, and this comes in a scene where, of course, I get triggered over the fact that Britt’s walking around in bare feet, and Shannon’s walking around indoors with outdoor shoes on!
Anyhoo, some of the problems include that Oxycontin can cause constipation. Damn, I hate that about codeine – you want to ease up on the pain, but sometimes, that is less of a hassle than the blockage!
However, even more concerning is that Oxycontin (which was brought in as a replacement for Vicodin) only works for so long – even though patients are led to believe that it would be fine for as long as they need it. Additionally, one side effect is death. But I’m sure Shannon and Britt will point that out, right? Erm…
Painkiller covers several situations, as the characters begin to eventually mix together. Edie is sassy as hell, and Uzo is a powerhouse at getting to the truth. The drama also shows the extremes of those in pain – such as the situation at the garage, along with those who are making a fortune out of it. Will any of them get their comeuppance?
This will definitely be one of the best series of the year, reminding me rather of 2019’s Chernobyl at covering a true story in drama form, and there’s not a single bad acting performance, here. Get it watched, now!
Well, no spoilers here. I’ve seen all six episodes of this, and it’s gripping from start to finish, as well as brilliantly directed, some episodes with Peter Berg in the director’s chair, who brought us the Mile 22, Lone Survivor, Patriots Day and the brilliant Deepwater Horizon. I still remember leaving the cinema after the latter, in a daze, because of being bombarded by the offshore drilling rig exploding in my face for two hours!
As an aside, it’s always great to see Matthew Broderick on our screens. Makes me wish so many other ’80s stars were still high-profile. We don’t see too much of Judd Nelson, for example, although he did a worthy job in the recent Girl In The Basement.
Thanks to our friends at Netflix for the screener prior to release.
Painkiller is not available to pre-order on Blu-ray or DVD, but is on Netflix from today.
Detailed specs:
Cert: 
Running time: 45-60 minutes (6 episodes)
Release date: August 10th 2023
Studio: Netflix
Format: 2.00:1
Series Directors: Peter Berg, Dan Skene
Producers: Chris Hatcher, Tim King
Writers: Micah Fitzerman-Blue, Noah Harpster
Cast:
Edie Flowers: Uzo Aduba
Richard Sackler: Matthew Broderick
Shannon Schaeffer: West Duchovny
Britt Hufford: Dina Shihabi
Glen Kryger: Taylor Kitsch
Raymond Sackler: Sam Anderson
Arthur Sackler: Clark Gregg
Lily Kryger: Carolina Bartczak
Tyler Kryger: Jack Mulhern
Brianna Ortiz: Ana Cruz Kayne
Howard Udell: Brian Markinson
Mortimer Sackler: John Rothman
Dr. Gregory Fitzgibbons: John Ales
Dr. Cooper: Johnny Sneed
Michael Friedman: John Murphy
Dr. Robert Kaiko: Matt Baram
Dr. Hartman: Darrin Baker
Dr. Paul Goldenheim: Cody Porter
Molly Dover: Maddy Hillis
Carol Brewster: Megan Vincent
Jess Brewster: Laura Afelskie
Joy: Natalia Gracious
John Brownlee: Tyler Ritter
Diane Schnitzler: Tara Samuel
Sheriff Wayne: Billy Smith
Alex: Emidio Lopes
Richard Sackler’s Maid: Rosie Callaghan
Tanya: Kathryn Bellamy
Sorority Girl: Mercedes Blanche
Drunk Frat Boy: David Tomlinson
Richard’s Secretary: Laura Cilevitz
Arthur Slacker Jr.: Dan Fox
Reviewer of movies, videogames and music since 1994. Aortic valve operation survivor from the same year. Running DVDfever.co.uk since 2000. Nobel Peace Prize winner 2021.