Meet the Cast of Pain Hustlers: Actors & Characters in the Netflix Movie

Find out who's leading the cast of Pain Hustlers, the dramedy film now available on Netflix. Get to know the actors and the characters they portray in this guide.

The opioid crisis has been explored in different formats, but one of the standout portrayals was in the Hulu drama series Dopesick. Starring Michael Keaton and Kaitlyn Dever, it delves into the lives of ordinary people whose lives were shattered by Purdue's aggressive OxyContin marketing tactics.

Netflix ventured into new territory this year with the series Painkiller, which presented the familiar story in a refreshingly unique manner. Starring Matthew Broderick as the cunning Richard Sackler, head of Purdue Pharmaceuticals, the series sheds light on a profoundly impactful American tragedy.

Continuing in this vein, Pain Hustlers, directed by David Yates of Harry Potter fame, follows the journey of a single mother who is drawn into an opioid scandal after accepting a job at a pharmaceutical company.

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Pain Hustlers cast and characters

Listed below is a comprehensive compilation of the actors and their respective characters in the cast of Pain Hustlers. The gripping narrative, penned by renowned short-fiction writer Wells Tower, revolves around a single mother grappling with adversity. After losing her job, she embarks on a new venture at a faltering pharmaceutical start-up. However, she soon finds herself entangled in a criminal conspiracy and the job takes a perilous turn, far beyond her expectations.

“A fictionalized tale drawn from the New York Times article and subsequent non-fiction book by Evan Hughes, this is a story of American greed told on a grand scale.”

Liza Drake: Emily Blunt

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In this captivating Netflix series, Liza Drake, portrayed by the talented Emily Blunt, takes on the challenging role of a determined single mother. Struggling to support her daughter's epilepsy treatment, Liza's tenacity leads her to a job at Zanna Therapeutics. However, her true strength shines through as she taps into her hustler instincts to successfully sell the fictitious drug called Lonafen – a powerful Fentanyl spray. But how long can Liza's rapid rise to success last before it inevitably unravels?

In regards to the character, Yates described her as someone who possesses the ability to comprehend others and possesses a dreamy nature. Furthermore, she is driven by immense ambition and seeks validation and acceptance above all else.

Blunt, a highly acclaimed actress, boasts an impressive filmography which includes notable roles in The Devil Wears Prada, The Girl on the Train, A Quiet Place, Oppenheimer, and numerous other successful projects.

Pete Brenner: Chris Evans

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Chris Evans portrays Pete Brenner, a cunning marketing executive reminiscent of Jordan Belfort from Wish.com. Pete brings Liza into the Zanna team, a decision that not only benefits him but also fills his pockets. Pete's character description highlights his willingness to break the rules in order to make quick money; a mindset that may have detrimental consequences.

According to Yates, "Pete's life revolves around transactions. It's all about making sales. He lacks meaningful connections with others and is solely focused on achieving the right numbers. He may seem superficial, but there is also a vulnerability to him. What sets him apart is his unfiltered, loud, brash, and profane nature, which makes him highly entertaining."

Similarly to Blunt, Evans is a well-known figure in Hollywood. He gained fame for portraying Marvel's Captain America in multiple MCU movies. Additionally, he has showcased his talent in projects such as Knives Out, Ghosted, and The Gray Man.

Dr Jack Neel: Andy Garcia

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Dr. Jack Neel, portrayed by Andy Garcia, is the unconventional mastermind behind Zanna and the genius behind the surging popularity of its drug, Lonafen. Similar to Richard Sackler, he cunningly conceals his ulterior motives beneath a façade of selflessness.

Garcia is a decorated Hollywood star, having appeared in The Godfather III, Ocean’s Eleven, and New York I Love You. 

Jackie Drake: Catherine O’Hara

Catherine O'Hara stars as Jackie Drake, Liza's mother, who shares her daughter's ambitious desire for financial success. However, her involvement with the Zanna team brings about a series of challenges for Liza, including an unwise flirtation with Dr. Jack.

Brent Larkin: Jay Duplass

O’Hara is widely recognized for her portrayal of the mother in the beloved films Home Alone and Home Alone 2. Additionally, she has contributed her exceptional acting talents to various other notable projects such as A Series of Unfortunate Events, Six Feet Under, and the critically acclaimed television series Schitt’s Creek.

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In the role of Brent Larkin, Jay Duplass portrays Brenner's competitor and Zenna's vice president of marketing. Described as equally deceitful as Brenner, Larkin, unlike his counterpart, has a distinct lack of tolerance for showboating.

Jay Duplass, renowned as one-half of the Duplass brothers, has been collaborating with his brother Mark on film projects since their youth. Their notable works include the mumblecore films The Puffy Chair, Baghead, and Cyrus.

Apart from his successful career as a filmmaker, Duplass has also showcased his acting talent in various projects such as Transparent, Search Party, and Industry, among others.

Dr Nathan Lydell: Brian d’Arcy James

Netflix

Brian d’Arcy James has joined the cast of Pain Hustlers as Dr. Nathan Lydell, one of the first doctors persuaded by Liza to prescribe Lonafen to his patients. Similar to his roles in Dopesick and Painkiller, he also benefits from the arrangement by becoming one of Zanna's compensated speakers. However, how long will it take for this situation to unravel?

James is a renowned actor and musician, recognized for his performances on Broadway in productions such as Shrek The Musical, Something Rotten!, and Hamilton. Onscreen, he has appeared in the 2021 film adaptation of West Side Story, Spotlight, Love & Death, and other notable projects.

Phoebe Drake: Chloe Coleman

Netflix

Chloe Coleman portrays Phoebe Drake, Liza's daughter, who is facing a significant health issue and finds herself involved in significant trouble at school. Netflix explains, "Phoebe is overjoyed when Liza's efforts at Zanna begin to show results."

Though young, Coleman has established a reputation in the acting industry, with notable roles in Big Little Lies, Dungeons & Dragons: Honour Among Thieves, and My Spy.

Eric Paley: Amit Shah

Netflix

Amit Shah portrays Eric Paley in Zanna's marketing team, whose slimy behavior stems from an entirely different motive. Unquestionably, Brenner does not hold him in high regard, labeling him as a "factory of well-refined rejections."

Additionally, Amit Shah has appeared in various other acting roles including Happy Valley, Death in Paradise, The Witcher, and Crashing.

Here's everything we know about the main cast in Pain Hustlers, which you can now stream on Netflix. Check out more of our Netflix coverage below:

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