What to read, watch, and listen to if you lovedPainkiller
Series · 2023
If you loved Painkiller, start with Pain Hustlers (David Yates, 2023) — a film on the same thread. Below: 3 books, 1 film and 2 podcasts, each matched to Painkiller across media.
If Painkiller hooked you, it is because you remain fascinated by how unchecked corporate greed dismantles lives behind closed doors.
Books on the same thread
Empire of Pain
Patrick Radden Keefe · Book · 2021
Explores: corporate malfeasance, generational wealth, systemic corruption.
Much like Painkiller, this definitive account of the Sackler family exposes the chilling disconnect between high-society philanthropy and the systemic corruption that fuels a devastating national health crisis.
Dreamland
Sam Quinones · Book · 2015
Shares a thread with Painkiller: Pharmaceutical Industry.
This book provides the essential factual foundation for the narrative of Painkiller, detailing how aggressive pharmaceutical marketing tactics directly engineered the addiction epidemic that ruined countless American lives.
The Litigators
John Grisham · Book · 2011
Shares 2 threads with Painkiller: David vs. Goliath, Corporate Greed.
Readers who appreciated the legal battle against corporate negligence in Painkiller will find a familiar David versus Goliath struggle here as attorneys fight to hold pharmaceutical giants accountable.
Films on the same thread
Pain Hustlers
David Yates · Film · 2023
Shares a thread with Painkiller: Pharmaceutical Industry.
This film mirrors the moral ambiguity found in Painkiller, focusing on the seductive allure of the American Dream and the dangerous consequences of choosing profit over human safety.
Podcasts on the same thread
Criminal
Vox Media Podcast Network · Podcast · 2026
Explores: moral ambiguity, social justice, human behavior.
If the investigative spirit of Painkiller resonated with you, this podcast offers a similarly compelling look at the gray areas of human behavior and complex legal cases.
Killer Stories with Harvey Guillén
Spotify Studios · Podcast · 2026
Explores: dark human nature, criminal psychology, public fascination.
This series captures the same fascination with dark human nature seen in Painkiller, exploring how public interest and criminal psychology intersect when devastating cons and rivalries come to light.
Keep exploring
Common questions
What is the focus of Painkiller?
Painkiller explores the causes and consequences of the American opioid epidemic. The drama follows the perpetrators of the crisis, the victims affected by it, and an investigator dedicated to uncovering the truth behind the situation.
Is Painkiller based on real events?
Painkiller is a drama centered on the realities of the American opioid epidemic. It examines the roles of those responsible for the crisis, the experiences of the victims, and the efforts of an investigator to bring the truth to light.
Does Painkiller feature an investigator?
Yes, Painkiller follows an investigator who is seeking the truth regarding the American opioid epidemic. The narrative structure of the show balances this search for truth with the perspectives of both the perpetrators and the victims of the crisis.
Who does the story of Painkiller follow?
The story of Painkiller follows three distinct groups involved in the American opioid epidemic. The narrative tracks the perpetrators responsible for the crisis, the victims who suffered the consequences, and an investigator who is actively seeking the truth.