Painkiller caught the attention of many a Netflix viewer when it dropped in August, and the dramatization of the role Purdue Pharma played in the opioid crisis has gotten people curious about real stories related to the epidemic. Enter The Pharmacist: a 2020 documentary about a pharmacist whose son was a victim of the epidemic and in seeking justice for his son ended up discovering far more than he had fathomed.
The Pharmacist is an enthralling documentary about the opioid epidemic, but there are several other insightful documentaries about the issue the United States has been facing for decades.
Understanding the Opioid Epidemic
If you want a basic look at the opioid crisis, stream Understanding the Opioid Epidemic. Because it’s such a vast and complex issue, it can be hard to comprehend how the opioid epidemic started and how it became so prominent, but this documentary helps viewers to better understand. It’s a great place to start.
Understanding the Opioid Epidemic is streaming now on Kanopy.
The Crime of the Century
If you liked Painkiller because of its portrayal of Purdue Pharma’s involvement with the opioid crisis, you’ll like The Crime of the Century. An HBO production, this documentary dives into the legalities of the crisis and gives a deeper look than the Netflix original did at the exact role the pharmaceutical company played in the spread of these dangerous drugs.
The Crime of the Century is streaming now on Max.
Warning: This Drug May Kill You
One of the worst parts of the opioid epidemic is the toll it takes on the victims’ loved ones. Warning: This Drug May Kill You shows just that. The families of those affected by the crisis share their stories that, while all have different details, have the same beginning and mostly the same ending. This HBO project is another reminder that the opioid epidemic is far from simple.
Warning: This Drug May Kill You is streaming now on Max.
Recovery Boys
The realities of the opioid epidemic are harrowing – there’s no getting around that, as is evidenced by the three aforementioned docs. And Recovery Boys will show you that, too. But it will also show you that there is life beyond addiction. This documentary shares the attempts of four young men who are ready to resume regular life amid recovery. It’ll break your heart, but it’ll also uplift you.
Recovery Boys is streaming now on Netflix.