Adam McKay’s influence can be felt throughout the Netflix miniseries Painkiller, despite his absence from the credits. The series, created by Micah Fitzerman-Blue and Noah Harper, shares McKay’s restless pacing, heavy-handed metaphors, and an intrusive narrator who demands the audience’s attention. However, while Painkiller attempts to highlight the weighty narrative of the launch of OxyContin and the subsequent opioid epidemic, it goes overboard with its flashy style, ultimately distracting from its important message.
One of Painkiller’s standout features is its opening sequence. Each episode begins with a non-actor reading a disclaimer about the series being based on real events but incorporating dramatized elements. These individuals share their personal stories and memories of loved ones who were killed by opioids, serving as a reminder of the devastating consequences of this crisis. It’s a subtle yet effective way to emphasize the real-world impact of the narrative.
The series aims to balance edification and entertainment, but often leans more toward the latter. Painkiller draws its facts from Barry Meier’s book Pain Killer and Patrick Radden Keefe’s New Yorker article, “The Family That Built the Empire of Pain.” The story revolves around Richard Sackler, who introduces OxyContin in the 1990s and reaps immense financial success for Purdue Pharma. However, the drug’s abuse-resistant claims prove to be false, leading to a widespread addiction crisis. Painkiller leans into fantasy sequences, rapid-fire montages, and obvious needle drops to spice up the narrative. While the intentions are noble, the execution distracts from the substance of the story.
The series attempts to provide a comprehensive view of the OxyContin debacle through different perspectives. Shannon, a naive sales rep, and Glen, a family man suffering from a back injury, allow the audience to witness the effects of OxyContin on various individuals. However, these characters, along with others, feel like generic composites rather than fully fleshed-out individuals. The standout fictional character is Edie, a federal investigator involved in a lawsuit against Purdue Pharma. Uzo Aduba delivers a powerful performance, exuding righteous anger and sorrow. In contrast, Matthew Broderick’s portrayal of Richard Sackler is appropriately cold and calculating. Painkiller explores Richard’s psychology with imaginary conversations between him and his late uncle, shedding light on his motivations.
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The series highlights how much of Purdue Pharma’s actions were technically legal, underscoring the importance of understanding the “hows” and “whys.” Painkiller delves into the cracks in the regulatory system that allowed Purdue Pharma to exploit the situation. The show emphasizes the manipulation of language, with the drug’s abuse-resistance being based on the belief of unspecified individuals. Purdue Pharma’s marketing strategy is also exposed, portraying charming sales representatives persuading doctors to prescribe higher doses.
The stark portrayal of these events is horrifying, even for those familiar with the OxyContin crisis. However, Painkiller’s approach, while ambitious, often becomes overwhelming. The show prioritizes style over substance, relying on excessive visual and auditory cues to capture the audience’s attention. The constant bombardment of symbolism and repetition undermines the development of believable characters, nuanced analysis, and emotional resonance. Painkiller would have benefited from a more restrained approach, allowing its core narrative to shine through without the need for excessive visual distractions.
Despite its flaws, Painkiller’s central narrative is undeniably important and deserves attention. It sheds light on a crucial moment in history and explores the devastating consequences of corporate greed and manipulation. However, the series is encased in layers of unnecessary flashy elements, making it laborious to dig through to its heart. Painkiller serves as a reminder that even with good intentions, an excess of bells and whistles can hinder the delivery of a powerful message.
