Netflix’s latest movie, “Pain Hustlers”, is a comedy-drama based on the true story of Insys Therapeutics, a small pharmaceutical company that bribed doctors to prescribe a highly addictive fentanyl spray for cancer pain. The movie stars Emily Blunt as a single mom who becomes a top sales representative for Insys, and Chris Evans as her boss and lover who masterminds the scheme. The movie also features interviews with real-life whistleblowers, victims, and investigators who exposed the corruption and greed behind the opioid crisis.
“Pain Hustlers” is directed by David Yates, who is best known for his work on the Harry Potter franchise. He said he wanted to make a movie that was “subversive, naughty, and different” from other stories about the drug epidemic. He also said he wanted to bring an audience into the issues and the opioid crisis overall.
The movie premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival on Sept. 11, 2023, and received mixed reviews from critics. Some praised the movie for its satirical tone and stellar performances, while others criticized it for trivializing a serious and tragic topic. The movie is now streaming on Netflix globally since Oct. 27, 2023.