Pain Hustlers Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A struggling single mom joins a shady pharma company and accidentally becomes a millionaire while also accidentally causing a national health crisis… whoops!

🍿 Pain Hustlers: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Liza’s Struggle and Opportunity

In 2011, Liza Drake, a struggling single mother and former exotic dancer in Florida, is seeking a better life for herself and her daughter, Phoebe. After being fired and later evicted, she meets Pete Brenner, who offers her a job at a pharmaceutical company named Zanna with a $100,000 a year starting salary. Desperate for an income, she accepts the offer.

Zanna Pharmaceuticals and the Rise of Lonafen

Liza discovers that Zanna is a struggling start-up with a cancer pain relief medication called Lonafen. To succeed, she needs to convince a doctor to prescribe Lonafen within 5 days. After an initial failure, Liza finds a way to convince Dr. Lydell to prescribe Lonafen, resulting in skyrocketing sales and a lavish lifestyle.

Off-Label Marketing and the Downfall

As Zanna’s profits soar, CEO, Jack Neel begins pressuring the sales team to market Lonafen off-label for all types of pain, which causes significant problems. Later, Lonafen is found to be nothing more than Fentanyl with a high addiction rate, causing many patients to overdose. Disturbed by the consequences, Liza decides to cooperate with a federal investigation into Zanna’s practices.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Liza Drake (Emily Blunt): A struggling single mother who becomes a successful pharmaceutical sales rep, but finds herself embroiled in a criminal conspiracy.
• Pete Brenner (Chris Evans): A pharmaceutical executive who recruits Liza and encourages unethical sales tactics.
• Dr. Neel (Andy Garcia): The eccentric founder of Zanna Pharmaceuticals, whose ambition drives the company into dangerous territory.
• Jackie (Catherine O’Hara): Liza’s mother, who becomes a sales rep and is entangled in the company’s corruption.
• Phoebe (Chloe Coleman): Liza’s daughter, whose medical condition motivates Liza’s initial pursuit of wealth and success.
• Dr. Lydell (Brian d’Arcy James): A doctor who is initially reluctant but then becomes a key figure in prescribing Lonafen, fueled by financial incentives.
• Eric Paley (Amit Shah): The CEO of Zanna, who is eventually fired and implicated in the company’s illegal activities.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Pete Brenner: “Don’t say base pay. Base pay’s for sh** birds. It’s commissions that get you into paradise.” – Pete tries to motivate Liza by focusing on the high commission potential rather than a stable salary.
• Liza Drake: “I’m done doing things the hard way.” – Liza decides to take the job at Zanna, signaling her willingness to do whatever it takes for success.
• Dr. Neel: “Use the crisis of Phoebe’s situation as “fire” for inspiration.” – Neel tries to manipulate Liza’s personal tragedy to motivate her to push the drug even harder.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $50,000,000
• Domestic Gross: N/A
• Worldwide Gross: N/A

💥 Pain Hustlers Reviews

Personal Review

Okay, so I watched ‘Pain Hustlers’ last night, and I’m still processing! Emily Blunt was amazing, she really pulled me into Liza’s world. The scene where she’s trying to get that first doctor to prescribe their drug? I was on the edge of my seat. Seeing her struggle, and then succeed, was so captivating. I especially loved her dynamic with Catherine O’Hara as her mom. It was both hilarious and heartbreaking. Definitely a must-watch!

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of crime dramas”
  • “Viewers interested in stories about corporate corruption”
  • “Those who appreciate Emily Blunt and Chris Evans”
  • “Viewers interested in true stories”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Drug use”
  • “Strong language”
  • “Suggestive content”
  • “Brief nudity”

Professional Reviews

• Variety: “While Blunt delivers a compelling performance, ‘Pain Hustlers’ feels like familiar territory, treading a well-worn path of pharmaceutical excess and moral ambiguity. The film explores the opioid crisis but lacks the sharp satirical edge to truly stand out.
• The Hollywood Reporter: “Despite a strong cast, ‘Pain Hustlers’ fails to fully capture the complexity of the opioid crisis. The film feels rushed, and the characters lack depth, resulting in a somewhat superficial exploration of a serious issue.
• The Guardian: “Emily Blunt shines in this fast-paced drama, bringing charisma to a morally compromised character. ‘Pain Hustlers’ is an entertaining, albeit simplified, look at the dark side of the pharmaceutical industry.

Audience Reactions

Emily Blunt’s performance was phenomenal and kept me engaged throughout the film.: The cast’s performances, especially Emily Blunt and Chris Evans, were highly praised for bringing depth to complex characters.

The film sheds light on the unethical practices of the pharmaceutical industry.: Many viewers appreciated that the film highlights the real-world issues and corruption within the pharmaceutical industry, despite the film’s flaws.

Overall Consensus: While the film benefits from strong performances, many found it to be a somewhat generic and less impactful take on the opioid crisis compared to other recent dramas on the subject.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Pain Hustlers is inspired by the true story of Insys Therapeutics, a pharmaceutical company that aggressively marketed a fentanyl-based painkiller called Subsys.”
• “Chris Evans’ role marks a departure from his usual heroic roles, showcasing his versatility as an actor in a morally ambiguous character.”
• “The film explores the ethical dilemmas faced by individuals working in the pharmaceutical industry, particularly in the context of the opioid crisis.”
• “Director David Yates, known for his work on the Harry Potter franchise, takes on a more grounded and realistic subject matter with Pain Hustlers.”
• “The movie examines the complex interplay between personal ambition, corporate greed, and the devastating consequences of the opioid epidemic.”

🖥️ How to Watch Pain Hustlers?

Pain Hustlers is currently streaming on Netflix. Unfortunately, it is not available to stream on platforms like Prime Video or Apple TV without a subscription. Digital purchase options are also unavailable at this time.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Pain Hustlers, you might like these similar films:

• The Wolf of Wall Street (2013): Explores the excesses and moral compromises within a high-stakes sales environment.
• The Big Short (2015): Exposes the corrupt practices that led to a major financial crisis, similar to the pharmaceutical corruption in Pain Hustlers.
• Dopesick (2021): Another look into the opioid crisis from multiple perspectives. Explores the creation, marketing and use of OxyContin.

🛒 Pain Hustlers Related Products

• Dopesick [Blu-ray]: Explore another side of the opioid crisis with this acclaimed mini-series. Experience exceptional storytelling and gripping drama with powerful performances. Perfect for understanding the full scope of the opioid epidemic.
• Bad Blood: Secrets and Lies in a Silicon Valley Startup: Dive into the real-life story of Theranos and its founder, Elizabeth Holmes. Experience the rise and fall of a Silicon Valley darling in a gripping narrative. Understand the intricate web of deceit and ambition that led to its collapse.
• Funko Pop! Captain America: Own a piece of the Marvel Cinematic Universe with this stylized collectible figure. Display your love for Captain America with this detailed vinyl figure. Add a touch of superhero charm to your collection with this unique piece.
• Emily Blunt Movie Poster Set: Celebrate the talent of Emily Blunt with this collection of iconic movie posters. Decorate your space with memorable moments from her film career. This set is perfect for fans looking to showcase their appreciation for her work.

🎧 Soundtrack

Pain Hustlers features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Real Thoughts in Real Time” – performed by Sean Dickson & David McAlmont

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Chris Evans Breaks Down His Most Iconic Characters | GQ

Ever wonder what Chris Evans *really* thinks about his roles? He breaks down his most iconic characters, including his Pain Hustlers role, and it’s fascinating to hear his perspective! This video is super insightful.

The True Story and Real Life Crisis at the Heart of PAIN HUSTLERS | From Studio 9

Want to know the real story behind Pain Hustlers? The director and producer spill the beans on the challenges of bringing this story to life. It’s a great watch for anyone who wants to delve deeper than the surface.

Pain Hustlers 2023 Movie Review | A Complex Dive Into The Dark Side Of Big Pharma

Curious what the critics are saying about Pain Hustlers? This review dives into the movie’s complex themes about Big Pharma. See if you agree with their take on the film.

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