Netflix’s Painkiller charts the delivery of the opioid disaster within the US by way of the story of pharmaceutical firm Purdue Pharma, who created the drug OxyContin.
Created by Micah Fitzerman-Blue and Noah Harpster, the miniseries follows the origins and influence of OxyContin throughout the US, a painkiller drug which was extensively marketed with none considerations for its negative effects and addictive qualities.
A synopsis describes the present as “an examination of crime, accountability, and the programs which have repeatedly failed a whole bunch of hundreds of Individuals”.
The present stars Uzo Aduba as Edie Flowers, an investigator pursuing Purdue Pharma over its advertising and marketing, alongside Matthew Broderick as the corporate’s president Richard Sackler. Different solid members embrace Sam Anderson, Taylor Kitsch and Carolina Bartczak.
What occurs to Richard Sackler on the finish of Painkiller?
Simply as a trial towards Purdue Pharma will get underway, the decide broadcasts the corporate has settled the matter out of courtroom, with Purdue agreeing to “plead responsible to 1 rely of fraudulently misbranding OxyContin”. Within the phrases of the settlement nevertheless, the corporate continues to be allowed to maintain making OxyContin.
After the decision, the present jumps forward to 2019 with the announcement that Purdue Pharma has filed for chapter on account of a number of lawsuits. In a textual content card on display, it’s famous that the Sacklers agreed to pay a settlement of $6billion.
We’re then proven a scene of Richard Sackler returning house to the ghost of his uncle Arthur, who proceeds to repeatedly punch Richard for “ruining the household enterprise”. Throughout this scene, we’re proven additional textual content playing cards highlighting how ultimate approval for Purdue’s chapter continues to be pending as of March 2023, and that no member of the Sackler household has ever been criminally charged over the advertising and marketing of OxyContin or any overdose deaths involving the drug.
The ultimate shot exhibits Richard, after imagining his useless uncle beating him up, strolling upstairs as he hears the sound of a smoke detector. The title ‘Sackler’ is then proven on display, earlier than it crumbles away.
What occurred to Edie and Greg on the finish?
After being dissatisfied with the settlement reached in her case towards Purdue Pharma, Edie Flowers leaves her job behind as an investigator for the US Lawyer’s Workplace. She decides as a substitute to deal with reconciling together with her household.
Within the ultimate shot, Edie is seen returning house the place she’s greeted by her brother Shawn, who has since been launched from jail.
Greg, in the meantime, has essentially the most heartbreaking conclusion. After showing to have a breakthrough in his habit restoration, the ultimate episode sees Glen relapse and overdose on OxyContin tablets.
We final see him unconscious in a parked automotive outdoors of a comfort retailer, the place passersby try to assist however he doesn’t wake. As we by no means see Glen once more within the sequence, it’s assumed he has died from the overdose.
Painkiller is offered to stream on Netflix.
