Painkiller is an American drama limited series made for Netflix and created by Micah Fitzerman-Blue and Noah Harpster.[1] The six-episode series, which is based on Patrick Radden Keefe's New Yorker article "The Family That Built an Empire of Pain" and Pain Killer: An Empire of Deceit and the Origin of America's Opioid Epidemic by Barry Meier,[2] focuses on the birth of the opioid crisis, with an emphasis on Purdue Pharma, a company owned by Richard Sackler and his family that was the manufacturer of OxyContin.[3] The Sackler family have been described as the "most evil family in America",[4][5][6][7] and "the worst drug dealers in history".[8][9]
Painkiller premiered on Netflix on August 10, 2023.[10]
Cast and characters Uzo Aduba as Edie Flowers[11] Matthew Broderick as Richard Sackler[12] Sam Anderson as Raymond Sackler Clark Gregg as Arthur Sackler Taylor Kitsch as Glen Kryger Carolina Bartczak as Lily Kryger Tyler Ritter as John L. Brownlee John Ales as Gregory Fitzgibbons Ron Lea as Bill Havens Ana Cruz Kayne as Brianna Ortiz West Duchovny as Shannon Schaeffer Jack Mulhern as Tyler Kryger Dina Shihabi as Britt John Rothman as Mortimer Sackler John Murphy as Michael Friedman Noah Harpster as Curtis Wright Episodes No. Title Directed by Written by Original release date 1 "The One to Start With, The One to Stay With" Peter Berg Micah Fitzerman-Blue & Noah Harpster August 10, 2023 2 "Jesus Gave Me Water" Peter Berg Micah Fitzerman-Blue & Noah Harpster August 10, 2023 3 "Blizzard of the Century" Peter Berg Will Hettinger and Micah Fitzerman-Blue & Noah Harpster August 10, 2023 4 "Is Believed" Peter Berg Boo Killebrew & Micah Fitzerman-Blue & Noah Harpster August 10, 2023 5 "Hot! Hot! Hot!" Peter Berg Boo Killebrew & Micah Fitzerman-Blue & Noah Harpster August 10, 2023 6 "What's in a Name?" Peter Berg Micah Fitzerman-Blue & Noah Harpster August 10, 2023 Production Production began in Toronto in April 2021 and wrapped in November 2021. The series was directed by Peter Berg.[13]
Reception On review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes, 44% of 36 critics gave the series a positive review, with an average rating of 6.1/10. The website's critics consensus reads, "Painkiller honors the victims of the opioid crisis with effective dramatic beats but is undermined by its stale satirical flourishes, resulting in a tonally confused bit of muckraking."[14] On Metacritic, the series holds a weighted average score of 59 out of 100, based on 26 critics, indicating "mixed or average reviews".[15]
Writing for American Council on Science and Health, a pro-industry group, Cameron English criticized the series, alleging that it unfairly pins the blame for the opioid crisis on Purdue and the Sackler family.[16]
See also "Watch Painkiller | Netflix Official Site". www.netflix.com. Retrieved February 3, 2022. Porter, Rick (October 4, 2021). "Taylor Kitsch Boards Netflix's Opioid Crisis Drama 'Painkiller'". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved February 3, 2022. Biggs, Jade (Au
