The Surprising Explanation Behind Richard's Painkiller-Induced Fire Alarm Chaos

Though Painkiller shares the story of the real Sackler family, Screen Rant was asked to clarify that events in Netflix's series were fictionalized.

Summary

The series Painkiller depicts the Sackler family's role in the opioid crisis, with a notable focus on Richard Sackler as the primary antagonist due to his deceptive marketing strategies and manipulative tactics.

Throughout the show, the fire alarm symbolizes Richard Sackler's inner conscience, persistently reminding him of the devastating consequences resulting from his actions. His hostile response to the sound symbolizes his unwillingness to acknowledge the accountability for his behaviors.

Inspired by Edgar Allan Poe's "The Tell-Tale Heart," the fire alarm plot device in Painkiller draws parallels between Richard Sackler's guilt and the haunted conscience of the short story's narrator. However, the meaning behind Richard Sackler's fire alarm going off is never explicitly explained in the Netflix series. Instead, Painkiller depicts the rise and fall of Purdue Pharma, attributing OxyContin as one of the main culprits behind the opioid crisis. Through the composite character Glen Kryger, the show illustrates the detrimental effects of opioid use disorder on individuals and families. Furthermore, Painkiller strongly asserts that the Sackler family played a significant role in the opioid crisis, actively participating in the harmful practices of the company. In reality, the Sacklers were infamously known as "the worst drug dealers in history."

While the Sackler family as a whole is often criticized in Painkiller, Richard Sackler emerges as the primary antagonist of the series. He is the individual responsible for Purdue's deceitful marketing strategies and manipulative tactics. Moreover, he is the character who instructed the company to shift the blame onto those with opioid use disorder, rather than taking any responsibility for downplaying the risks associated with OxyContin. Although Edie Flowers's narration in Painkiller effectively elucidates Richard Sackler's narrative, the series fails to provide a thorough explanation for the fire alarm at the beginning and end of this story. Nevertheless, this story element remains a significant component of the series.

The Fire Alarm Represents Richard's Conscience In Painkiller

The fire alarm at the beginning and end of Painkiller constantly chirps, gradually increasing in frequency and volume. Richard Sackler finds the sound impossible to ignore. In the show, this fire alarm symbolizes his guilty conscience. Considering Richard's complete absence of remorse, his hostile reaction to the sound is understandable. He despises being reminded of his past misdeeds, as they haunt his nights. Consequently, he resorts to hurling objects and striking the fire alarm with a broom handle.

After his employee tampered with the fire alarm to silence its chirping, Richard urges him to investigate the remaining ones. This particular incident holds significant weight as Richard Sackler bears responsibility for more than just one life lost. His conscience grapples not only with the death toll but also with the hundreds of thousands of lives he had a hand in ending. As the series nears its conclusion, another fire alarm begins chirping, most likely a distinct one since Richard's employee had already broken the initial alarm. This occurrence serves as a reminder that he cannot evade the profound guilt he has been suppressing deep within.

Painkiller's Fire Alarm Is Inspired By Edgar Allan Poe

The fire alarm used as a plot device in Painkiller draws upon the chilling themes found in Edgar Allan Poe's "The Tell-Tale Heart." In this renowned short story, the protagonist is haunted by the incessant sound of a beating heart, serving as a reminder of the murder he committed. Similarly, Richard Sackler, the central character in Painkiller, is tormented by a relentless fire alarm that engulfs him with hostility and suspicion. As the alarm grows more overpowering, Richard's calculated and methodical approach to selling OxyContin, fully aware of its potential lethality, becomes increasingly evident. Ultimately, Painkiller indisputably finds inspiration in Poe's harrowing tale, "The Tell-Tale Heart."