Dopesick

Dopesick, a limited series premiered on Hulu in October 2021, provides compelling insight into America’s ongoing opioid crisis through the exploration of Purdue Pharma’s role in the promotion of OxyContin. As the show unfolds, it dives into the catastrophic consequences of the pharmaceutical company's unchecked power, giving a chillingly detailed account of one of the most excruciating health crises in modern history.

Adapted from Beth Macy's bestselling book "Dopesick: Dealers, Doctors, and the Drug Company that Addicted America,” the eight-part series weaves together multiple narrative threads spanning various socio-economic classes, regions, and time periods.

Renowned actor Michael Keaton headlines the show, delivering a powerful performance as Dr. Samuel Finnix, a compassionate, hardworking doctor based in a mining town in rural Virginia. Finnix is unaware that his concern for his patient's pain could drive him into the center of the burgeoning opioid crisis. As Purdue Pharma brings OxyContin to the market, advertising it as a non-addictive wonder drug, Finnix becomes a key player in the story, signifying the thousands of doctors deceived by such manipulative marketing strategies.

Audiences also meet sales reps like Billy Cutler, skillfully portrayed by Will Poulter, who is a creation of Purdue's aggressive and questionable sales tactics. Rosario Dawson gives a memorable performance as Bridget Meyer, a dogged DEA agent battling against the powerful pharmaceutical lobbying entities while attempting to trace the consistent inflow of prescription drugs into the region. Kaitlyn Dever portrays Betsy Mallum, a coal miner grappling with dependence on opioids after being treated with OxyContin for a work injury. The human narrative is heavily focussed through her character arc as the series provides a close examination of the patients' plight, while documenting the grim realities of substance abuse and addiction.

A pervasive sense of dread courses through every episode of Dopesick, as it lays bare the catastrophic fallouts of greed-fueled corporate motives that prioritize profit over public health. The series unearths the damaging effects of the devastating opioid crisis that has claimed hundreds of thousands of lives, rendering entire communities paralyzed. From corrupt corporate strategies to regulatory failures, the show dissects the events leading up to the epidemic while showcasing the personal battles fought in homes, doctor’s offices, and courtrooms.

Emmy winner Danny Strong serves as Dopesick's creator and executive producer, skillfully translating Macy's investigative journalism into a gripping narrative. The visual narrative is enriched by solid direction from Patricia Riggen, Peter Parnell, Danny Strong, and Barry Levinson. While the anthology chronicles a tragic period in America's medical history, the creators' nuanced approach prevents the series from slipping into melodrama territory, while remaining respectful of the real-life subject matter.

Although Dopesick makes some adjustments to the source material for dramatic effect, it preserves the essence of the extensive research found in Macy's book, providing a disturbingly accurate portrayal of one of the darkest chapters in medical history. The series does not shy away from portraying the stark realities of drug dependence, the influence of poverty on addiction, and the desperately tragic paths many citizens found themselves walking down.

The cinematography of the show effectively captures the despair and desolation experienced by the victims of this crisis, while the carefully crafted script allows the characters to confront the painful truth of their realities.

Despite its heavy dose of bleakness, Dopesick is punctuated with surprising moments of hope and resilience. It is a realistic, discerning portrayal of a nationwide calamity sparked by the Greed of a powerful pharmaceutical company which turned a blind eye to the trail of destruction it was leaving in its path. Its blend of real-life events, dynamic character arcs, and well-crafted narrative make it a series worth viewing for those familiar and unfamiliar with America’s opioid crisis.

By layering personal narratives alongside an exploration of corporate greed, Dopesick aims to provide viewers with a clearer understanding of the opioid crisis and its far-reaching impacts. Earning critical acclaim for its riveting storytelling, dedicated performances, and nuanced handling of a highly sensitive topic, Dopesick is a gut-wrenching yet enlightening watch that simultaneously informs and moves its viewers, underline the urgent need for change in the healthcare industry.