Secrets Unveiled: An Inside Look at Matthew Broderick's Game-Changing Show on Netflix

Summary

Matthew Broderick takes the lead in the brand new Netflix series Painkiller, an engrossing drama that unravels the unsettling narrative of how OxyContin was forcefully marketed to American consumers, despite its widely recognized dangers.

With intriguing resemblances to the captivating style of The Wolf of Wall Street, the Painkiller trailer provides a glimpse into the morally bankrupt world of pharmaceutical salespeople that the series delves into.

The highly anticipated Netflix show Painkiller, directed by Peter Berg and featuring Matthew Broderick, is set to be released on August 10, 2023. Broderick, primarily known for his iconic role in the '80s classic Ferris Bueller's Day Off, steps into a dramatic role in this new series, which explores the rise of OxyContin. With his remarkable portrayal of a smart-talking teenager in Ferris Bueller, Broderick has become one of the most recognizable actors in the industry.

Most Recent Netflix Painkiller News

Despite a recent lack of success, the actor has received praise for his performance in the new Jennifer Lawrence comedy No Hard Feelings. Additionally, he is currently directing Painkiller on Netflix, a casting choice that has been proven to be highly successful based on the trailers. Painkiller is expected to mark a triumphant return for Broderick, as it will not only showcase his exceptional comedic talent but also his impressive dramatic skills. However, the Netflix Painkiller announcement suggests that there is more to look forward to than just Matthew Broderick. The film will delve into the unbelievable true story behind OxyContin, making it an exceptionally intriguing project.

Netflix recently released the trailer for a new series starring Matthew Broderick, called Painkiller. The trailer, which debuted on July 11, 2023, follows the character Richard Sackler, played by Broderick, and his team as they sell OxyContin, an opioid that is widely believed to have played a major role in the onset of the opioid epidemic. The trailer portrays the devastating impact of addiction on families and its widespread reach across America. However, it also highlights how this drug turned people like Sackler into billionaires. The Painkiller trailer exhibits striking similarities to the critically acclaimed film, The Wolf of Wall Street, as it immerses viewers in the morally bankrupt lives of these salespeople who seek pleasure at any cost. These parallels are expected to enhance the show's appeal.

Netflix Painkiller Release Date

The highly anticipated Painkiller will be released on August 10, 2023, following Netflix's typical batch release format. Unlike other Netflix series, all episodes of Painkiller were directed by acclaimed filmmaker Peter Berg, known for his work on Lone Survivor, Deepwater Horizon, and Patriot's Day. This suggests that Painkiller will offer a cinematic experience with exceptional cinematography, as previewed in the trailer.

With principal photography beginning in April 2021 and wrapping up in November of the same year, Painkiller has been in Netflix's pipeline for nearly two years. Although a slight touch-up in post-production may have occurred, it is still a considerable time span between wrapping up production and the forthcoming release. However, due to the global impact of COVID-19, numerous schedules and release dates were inevitably rearranged and delayed, which could explain the slightly delayed release of Painkiller.

Netflix Painkiller Cast

Matthew Broderick takes on the role of Richard Sackler, an American physician and the president of Purdue Pharma, who became a billionaire through the creation of OxyContin. Broderick is widely known for his performances in Ferris Bueller's Day Off (1986) and the cult classic WarGames (1983). Throughout his successful career, he has appeared in notable films like Godzilla (1998), The Producers (2005), and lent his distinct voice to characters such as adult Simba in The Lion King, Bee Movie, and The Tale of Despereaux.

In the Painkiller cast, Uzo Aduba portrays Edie, an investigator from the US attorney's office tasked with examining Sackler and his employees. Aduba's character in the Painkiller trailer showcases substantial dialogue and delivers fiery insults, perfectly suited for her talents. Aduba has already solidified her status in the television industry through her acclaimed portrayal of Suzanne "Crazy Eyes" Warren in Orange Is the New Black, earning Emmy Awards in 2014 and 2015 for her exceptional performance. Additionally, her portrayal of Shirley Chisholm in Mrs. America garnered her a third Emmy Award in 2021. Based on her impressive display in the Painkiller trailer, Aduba's potential for a fourth Emmy Award seems highly likely.

Sam Anderson has been cast as Raymond Sackler, Richard's brother in the Painkiller series. Known for his previous TV roles as Holland Manners on Angel and Barnard Nadler on Lost, Anderson's most notable appearance was in Friends, where he portrayed the doctor who delivered Phoebe's triplets and had a love for Happy Days. Joining the cast is Taylor Kitsch, who will be playing Glen Kryger in Painkiller. Kitsch is recognized for his roles in the 2012 Disney film John Carter and as Gambit in X-Men Origins: Wolverine. Additionally, Kitsch has worked extensively with Berg, having starred in Battleship and Lone Survivor.

The Netflix Painkiller True Story

The Painkiller narrative is based on actual events, chronicling the most notorious health epidemic of the 21st century. Portraying both sides of the crisis, Painkiller delves into the lives of families with loved ones battling an Opioid addiction, while also shedding light on the individuals profiting from these addictions. OxyContin, a brand of opioids, gained immense popularity through extensive marketing campaigns in the 2000s. This powerful painkiller pledged to alleviate users' suffering, but instead became a source of addiction, inflicting its own form of distress. The epidemic took hold when users discovered that crushing OxyContin allowed for an instantaneous release of its effects.

When the addiction spiraled out of control, Purdue intentionally concealed vital information about addictions from regulators, patients, and doctors in order to amass billions of dollars in sales of the drug. Painkiller delves into the depths of Purdue's chairman and his accomplices, who shamelessly profited from this crisis. The series unravels the clandestine conversations and deceptive marketing campaigns that were built upon a foundation of falsehoods. However, amidst the narrative of Painkiller, we also witness the stories of OxyContin's victims and the brave individuals who fought to bring an end to its reign, including real-life figures like Lindsey Myers, a rural Virginia doctor, an addicted cheerleader, and DEA agent Laura Nagel.

Trailer

The recently unveiled trailer for The Painkiller sheds light on the immense toll it took on middle-class households and its devastating impact on family bonds. Simultaneously, it unveils a contrasting perspective, where Purdue Pharma employees indulge in purchasing luxury sports cars to commute to their professional engagements.

The Painkiller trailer reveals the tightness of the screenplay, emphasizing the biting nature of this satirical dramedy. Matthew Broderick delivers his best performance yet, portraying a compelling villain.