Painkiller vs. Dopesick: Which TV Show Is More Accurate About The Opioid Crisis

Delving into the opioid epidemic that plagued America, both Hulu’s Dopesick and Netflix’s Painkiller have emerged as effective dramatic explorations on the real-life medical tragedy. While Dopesick released to much acclaim and multiple Emmy nominations in 2021, Painkiller sought to dramatize the same story, albeit from different perspectives. Painkiller‘s polarizing response among critics and audiences might not match the high standards set by Dopesick, but both shows ultimately point to the need for medicines to be regulated better instead of being used for just capitalistic gains. The opioid OxyContin (once hailed as a miracle drug) and its disgraced manufacturer Purdue Pharma face the brunt in both cases.