Painkiller
Painkiller

Movie spotlight

Painkiller

2022
Movie
88 min
English

Steven Sullivan, a lonely office worker in an Australian metropolis longs to escape his feelings of self-loathing. Forcing himself into a life of hedonism, degeneracy and high-risk situations with a complete disregard for self-preservation, Steven begins his descent from a banal but normal life into a place with no return.

Insights

IMDb6.1/10
Rotten Tomatoes65%
Metacritic58/100
Google Users75%
Director: Shaun James GrantGenres: Crime, Drama, Thriller

Plot Summary

A gripping thriller set in the ruthless world of pharmaceutical sales, Painkiller follows a driven sales executive who gets entangled in a dangerous web of corporate greed and corruption. As she climbs the corporate ladder, she uncovers the dark secrets behind the miracle drug that is devastating communities. Facing immense pressure from her superiors and the law, she must make a choice that could change her life and the lives of countless others forever.

Critical Reception

Painkiller received mixed to positive reviews from critics, who praised its timely subject matter and strong performances, particularly from Vera Farmiga. However, some found the narrative to be somewhat predictable and the portrayal of the opioid crisis to be occasionally sensationalized.

What Reviewers Say

  • Vera Farmiga delivers a compelling performance as a morally compromised pharmaceutical executive.

  • The series tackles the opioid crisis with a sense of urgency, though its narrative can be formulaic.

  • Explores themes of corporate responsibility and the devastating impact of addictive drugs.

Google audience: Viewers generally appreciated the show's exploration of the opioid crisis and found Vera Farmiga's performance captivating. Some critics noted that while the series is engaging, it occasionally relies on familiar tropes within the genre.

Fun Fact

While the series focuses on a fictionalized account, it draws heavily on the real-life opioid crisis in the United States and the aggressive marketing tactics employed by pharmaceutical companies.

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