The article contains a discussion of substance abuse, especially the opioid crisis.
Summary:
– Painkiller received mixed to negative reviews with a 44% score on Rotten Tomatoes, lower than Dopesick’s 89% score.
– The main difference between the two shows is in the performance: Dodog manages a touchy subject with nuanced performances and related characters.
Critics noted that Painkiller had tone issues, weak acting, and unrealistic character development that prevented him from exploring the true depths of the opioid crisis.
The music on Rotten Tomatoes for Painkiller, the Netflix drama about the opioid crisis, is out and viewers might be curious to compare it to Hulu’s Dopesick. It’s no surprise that the two dramas are being compared, given that both are streaming service limited shows focusing on the origins of the opioid crisis. Dopesick was released two years before Painkiller to mostly positive reviews, also winning 14 Emmy Award nominations in 2022. Meanwhile, Painkiller hit Netflix on August 10, and critics and audiences are beginning to understand the six-episode series.
While more Rotten Tomatoes reviews may come, Painkiller currently boasts a 44% rating on the site. Rotten Tomatoes is not a definitive determinant of the show’s quality, but it does suggest that Painkiller’s reception is mixed or negative. Also, it’s a much lower rating than Dopesick. Based on 70 reviews from critics, Dopesick has a score of 89% on Rotten Tomatoes.
Why are critics more divided on Painkiller than Dopesick?
There are probably questions as to what makes Dopesick supposedly better than Painkiller, based on critical reviews. Both tell basically the same story, focusing on the epicenter of the US opioid crisis and focusing on Purdue Pharma, which developed and marketed OxyContin. Both series feature fictional characters and members of the real-life Sackler family. Both stories are based on pain and tragedy as they show the cost of greed and corruption and follow the devastation of the opioid crisis.
Given the similarities, the main area where Painkiller and Dopesick differ is in execution. Both deal with a sensitive, heavy, and dark subject matter, meaning that the narrative must be treated with care and consideration. Dopesick pulls it off pretty well, thanks in part to its outstanding cast. The Hulu series boasts a string of top notch performances from Michael Keaton, Caitlin Dever, Peter Sarsgaard and Will Poulter. Their performances reminded viewers of the human side of the story, creating characters that you liked and even liked that were able to continue a very dark and complex series.
The main issues with Painkiller pointed out by critics are the tone, the acting, and the development of the characters. Painkiller touches on a dark and tragic story, but doesn’t use the nuances of interpretation to keep the audience interested. Instead, he almost attempts to sensationalize tragedy with action sequences and hints of black comedy. Exaggeration is also paired with weak, unrealistic, and unrecognizable characters. Ultimately, Painkiller’s score for Rotten Tomatoes seems to reflect that the series is not deep enough to deal with the harsh, real nature of the opioid crisis and its aftermath.
Source: Rotten Tomatoes