Netflix’s ‘Painkiller’ miniseries aims to shed light on the devastating opioid crisis that has plagued the United States for years. However, despite its emotional promise, the show fails to deliver on its impact. While it starts off with a haunting sequence that features real individuals affected by the crisis, the series quickly loses its connection to the emotional core and becomes a dramatized account focused on the blame placed on Purdue Pharma.
The six-episode miniseries follows the events that led to the widespread addiction to opioids, from the creation of the OxyContin pill by Richard Sackler to the complicity of the state and the aggressive marketing campaigns that contributed to the crisis. Uzo Aduba delivers a compelling performance as Edie Flowers, an investigator determined to hold Purdue Pharma accountable. She narrates the chronology of events while also sharing her own experience building a case against the Sackler family.
The opioid crisis and Purdue Pharma have been extensively covered in various forms of media, both fictional and non-fictional. With Painkiller, audiences were hoping for a fresh perspective on the issue. Sadly, the series falls short in providing that. Edie’s focus on the Sackler family seems like a missed opportunity to fully explore the systemic issues that allowed this crisis to unfold. The inclusion of Richard Sackler’s visions and repetitive conversations with his deceased uncle, Arthur Sackler, further detract from the serious subject matter.
While Uzo Aduba’s portrayal of Edie brings some gravitas to the show, Matthew Broderick’s performance as Richard Sackler suffers due to the writing that reduces him to a flat villain. Painkiller seems to lack the patience needed to deeply examine the pain it aims to address, making it a disappointing addition in comparison to other works like Dopesick.
Netflix’s Painkiller will undoubtedly invite comparison to Dopesick, as both tackle similar timelines and characters. However, Painkiller lacks the emotional depth necessary to make a lasting impact. Although the disclaimer shots at the beginning of each episode capture the true pain of the opioid crisis, the rest of the series fails to live up to that promise.
In conclusion, Painkiller fails to deliver on its emotional promise. While it highlights the devastating opioid crisis and the role of Purdue Pharma, it falls short in providing a fresh perspective. The series relies too heavily on dramatizations and loses sight of the larger systemic issues at play. Despite some strong performances, Painkiller ultimately disappoints in its portrayal of this important topic.
