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Pain Hustlers

Play trailer 2:12 Poster for Pain Hustlers R Released Oct 20, 2023 2h 2m Crime Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
23% Tomatometer 114 Reviews 65% Popcornmeter 500+ Ratings
Liza Drake (Emily Blunt) is a blue-collar single mom who has just lost her job and is at the end of her rope. A chance meeting with pharmaceutical sales rep Pete Brenner (Chris Evans) puts her on an upwards trajectory economically but dubious path ethically as she becomes entangled in a dangerous racketeering scheme. Dealing with her increasingly unhinged boss (Andy Garcia), the worsening medical condition of her daughter (Chloe Coleman), and a growing awareness of the devastation the company is causing forces Liza to examine her choices. Pain Hustlers is a sharp and revealing look at what some people do out of desperation and others do out of greed.
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Pain Hustlers

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Critics Consensus

Pain Hustlers has some great actors and a worthwhile premise, but lackluster execution dooms this dramatic look at the opioid epidemic.

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Critics Reviews

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Jocelyn Noveck Associated Press Pain Hustlers feels like a retreading of the same ground covered in other recent works, bringing nothing especially new to the table and, in splitting the stylistic difference between slick/breezy and poignant/authentic, succeeding fully at neither. Rated: 2/4 Oct 30, 2023 Full Review Devan Coggan Entertainment Weekly It's plenty entertaining, but not particularly thoughtful — just enough depth to fill a prescription pad, not a whole book. Rated: B- Oct 30, 2023 Full Review Liz Shannon Miller Consequence Pain Husters manages to avoid feeling like an Adam McKay remake of Dopesick, but its shifting tone never quite hits the right notes. Rated: C+ Oct 27, 2023 Full Review Maxance Vincent The Cosmic Circus Everything in Pain Hustlers feels unimportant, and its distractingly flashy style certainly doesn’t help. It’s great to see Yates doing something else than Harry Potter, but his first real Wizarding World break doesn’t leave a good lasting impression. Rated: 2/5 Jul 12, 2025 Full Review Clotilde Chinnici Loud and Clear Reviews Ultimately, Pain Hustlers feels like a half-finished product, one that does manage to fully delve into the depths and complexities of the opioid epidemic in the United States. Rated: 2.5/5 Sep 14, 2024 Full Review Brandon Lewis Geek Vibes Nation There are compelling stories about the opioid crisis and ways to tell them. Sadly, Pain Hustlers lacks the conviction to assume the associated risks. Rated: 5.5/10 Jul 3, 2024 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Ana G I really liked it, Emily Blunt is perfect as always and Chris too, pretty solid movie Rated 3 out of 5 stars 07/05/25 Full Review Gina R I found this movie very entertaining and informative. We've known for years that big Pharma caters to, brides and pay doctors in accepting their drugs and writing prescriptions for them. Believe me, I've seen plenty of drug companies rent out an entire theatre and give doctors all kinds of perks. Trips, money and incredible expensive items. In addition, character played by Emily Blunt is spot on in appearance and demeanor. Drug reps strut like peacocks into these doctor offices to tout their goods. I've even heard them joking and flirting when in the next room It's all a game and the patients are the guinea pigs. I wouldn't trust the FDA as far as I could throw them. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 03/14/25 Full Review Pez R Fun! And yet thought-provoking. A good look at greed in the pharmaceutical industry and medical ethics. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 03/11/25 Full Review Neil M A good watch that is well acted and tells a compelling story of greed. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 02/17/25 Full Review Audience Member I've reviewed other source materials on what happened and this film was true to life. I recommend watching this movie with no skepticism to what it depicts and the viewer will both be entertained and learn something. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 12/02/24 Full Review Jerod S It has some Erin Brokovich vibes, but fentanyl being peddled is the struggling single-mom goal. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 11/16/24 Full Review Read all reviews
Pain Hustlers

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Movie Info

Synopsis Liza Drake (Emily Blunt) is a blue-collar single mom who has just lost her job and is at the end of her rope. A chance meeting with pharmaceutical sales rep Pete Brenner (Chris Evans) puts her on an upwards trajectory economically but dubious path ethically as she becomes entangled in a dangerous racketeering scheme. Dealing with her increasingly unhinged boss (Andy Garcia), the worsening medical condition of her daughter (Chloe Coleman), and a growing awareness of the devastation the company is causing forces Liza to examine her choices. Pain Hustlers is a sharp and revealing look at what some people do out of desperation and others do out of greed.
Director
David Yates
Producer
Lawrence Grey, David Yates
Screenwriter
Wells Tower
Distributor
Netflix
Production Co
Grey Matters Productions, Wychwood Media
Rating
R (Nudity|Language Throughout|Drug Use|Some Sexual Content)
Genre
Crime, Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Oct 20, 2023, Limited
Release Date (Streaming)
Oct 27, 2023
Runtime
2h 2m
Sound Mix
Dolby Digital
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