Unveiling the Dark Truth: Painkiller Producers Illuminate the Opioid Epidemic in Their Binge-Worthy Netflix Series

Summary

Painkiller is a Netflix miniseries that takes a fictionalized approach to exploring the events that led to the opioid epidemic in America.

The show offers a variety of viewpoints on the story, featuring investigators, the Sackler family, drug representatives, and individuals impacted by addiction. Uzo Aduba and Clark Gregg, along with the rest of the cast, deliver exceptional performances that bring authenticity and complexity to their respective characters.

Painkiller is a fictionalized retelling of the events that led to the opioid epidemic in America. It explores the invention of OxyContin, the persuasive marketing tactics employed by pharmaceutical companies, and the devastating consequences for patients who became addicted. The miniseries offers multiple perspectives, including those of investigators, the Sackler family, drug representatives, and individuals whose lives were shattered by OxyContin.

Starring a talented ensemble cast featuring Uzo Aduba, Clark Gregg, Matthew Broderick, Sam Anderson, Taylor Kitsch, Carolina Bartcza, Tyler Ritter, John Ales, Ron Lea, Ana Cruz Kayne, and West Duchovny, Painkiller brings to life the compelling story created and written by Micah Fitzerman-Blue and Noah Harpster. The series is based on Patrick Radden Keefe's book, "The Family That Built an Empire of Pain," and Barry Meier's "Pain Killer: An Empire of Deceit and the Origin of America’s Opioid Epidemic." Directed by Peter Berg, Painkiller is a gripping Netflix miniseries.

Eric Newman & Barry Meier Talk Painkiller

: Executive Producer Eric Newman and Consulting Producer Barry Meier Open Up About Netflix Miniseries Painkiller, Praising Stellar Performances and Discussing the Adaptation Process

Screen Rant: Oh my god, this show is so good! I was hooked immediately and it's so powerful!

Barry Meier: That's great!

Eric Newman: That's great to hear!

Barry Meier: Good news!

Eric Newman: Never get tired of hearing that.

The cast is remarkable, especially Uzo Aduba and Clark Gregg who truly shine. What elements did they bring to their performances that elevated them beyond the original script?

Eric Newman: I appreciate you acknowledging that. The selection process for our cast was extremely meticulous, as we value authenticity and recognize the complexity of certain roles. Uzo, in my opinion, is among the finest actresses of her generation. Her portrayal was extraordinary, particularly because she served as the audience's gateway into this narrative.

She is loosely based on several individuals, including Barry, who early on noticed that something was amiss before OxyContin gained its notoriety. It relied on individuals like Barry to raise concerns and say, "Hold on, something isn't right here." Thus, she had to portray not only a naive person who eventually becomes an expert, but also a seeker of justice with high stakes. Unfortunately, it is a bit of a spoiler alert that she fails to find it. It was crucial for the story.

Clark is an old friend of mine and an exceptional actor. We knew he would fully embody the role of Arthur Sackler, a character who is both out of place in time and shamelessly focused on marketing. It is because of Arthur's influence that the epidemic occurred. So, yes, we were truly fortunate with our cast.

Barry, how did it feel to witness the transformation of this story into a Netflix show? And why was it necessary to provide different perspectives, not just focusing on Eddie's narrative, but also exploring the actions of the executives and individuals involved in the use and promotion of OxyContin, including the drug reps?

Barry Meier: I completed the writing of this book back in 2003. Since then, it has been an extraordinary journey spanning two decades, leading up to the release of this show. In the book, I don't play a direct role. There is an investigative character, along with attorneys investigating the matter. However, the book primarily delves into the marketing strategies employed for OxyContin, the Sackler family's involvement, particularly Arthur Sackler's cunning influence, and how it shaped the marketing campaign for OxyContin.

About the failures of all those involved, including public health officials, professional medical organizations, regulators, who were unable to prevent this tragedy. In the show, a similar situation unfolds, where one feels the urge to exclaim, "Hold on! This is insane. Can someone not intervene?" Unfortunately, the answer is heartbreaking and grim: no one did.

Yeah, I was shocked by just the systemic failure and corruption that led to all of this.

Barry Meier: Yes, it was there in spades. Yes.

Can you discuss the research process for the individuals you interviewed? Having addiction in my family, the portrayal of how it affects people felt extremely authentic.

Eric Newman: Sadly, there were numerous experts available. It is a tragic aspect of this story that everyone, yourself included, knows someone affected by addiction. Almost everyone has experienced loss. Therefore, we didn't have to search far for sources. Taylor [Kitsch] openly shares his own personal journey of dealing with a loved one's addiction, and I've had my own experiences with loved ones as well. Luckily, Taylor's loved one was able to overcome the struggle with opioids, whereas mine was not. We were fortunate to have a multitude of people, including parents who share their stories in each episode by reading our disclaimer and discussing their child. So, we had no lack of individuals to draw upon for this project.

The fragment

Furthermore, we were fortunate to have Barry, Patrick Radden Keefe, and Alex Gibney, all of whom have played a significant role in raising awareness about the dangers of OxyContin and opioid addiction. It is truly disheartening that the impact of this issue has affected so many individuals. This is exactly why it was crucial for us to undertake this endeavor, to share this narrative and ensure it reaches as wide an audience as possible.

One of the remarkable aspects of Netflix is its immense viewership. If we can capture just 10% of their audience, that amounts to nearly 30 million people who will have the opportunity to witness this story and realize, "I never knew that my doctor was doing me such a disservice when prescribing OxyContin, reassuring me it wasn't addictive, and suggesting I increase my dosage if needed."

Eric, I'm thrilled to hear that you're also involved in another exciting Netflix project called Rebel Moon. Can you provide some insight into the process of bringing this highly original sci-fi epic to life?

Eric Newman: Zack Snyder and I collaborated on our first movie together, Dawn of the Dead, which remains a standout experience in my career. We've maintained a strong friendship over the years. We had been discussing the idea of creating something together for quite some time. Initially, there was hope for it to be part of the Star Wars universe, envisioning a space-centric story with similarities to the iconic Magnificent Seven. However, the world we live in has unfortunately become more susceptible to the threat of totalitarianism, requiring us to stand united against it. This theme holds greater relevance now than ever before.

About Painkiller

And Zack just completed Army of the Dead on Netflix, which is where I work. It seemed logical for Zack, Debbie, Wes, and me to collaborate on this project. It has been an incredibly enjoyable experience. The movie is massive in scale. Sometimes, as I drove onto the set, I would gaze into the distance and wonder if that part would be a part of our show, and without fail, it always was. This is the most significant endeavor I have ever undertaken, and it is truly amazing. I am eagerly anticipating the audience's reaction. I believe you will absolutely adore it!

Painkiller is a riveting scripted limited series that delves into the origins and consequences of the opioid crisis in America. This captivating show offers a fictionalized retelling of the events, shedding light on the individuals affected by the invention of OxyContin – from the wrongdoers to the victims and those dedicated to uncovering the truth. Their lives are forever transformed as the impact of this drug unfolds.

Painkiller premieres on Netflix on August 10.

Source: Screen Rant Plus