7 shows like Netflix's 'Painkiller' to watch next, from fictionalized dramas to crime thrillers

Summary: Much like Painkiller, Hulu's Dopesick follows the rise of Purdue Pharma as it begins to market its drug OxyContin, and also focuses on the Sackler family and the various government agencies tasked with overseeing Purdue Pharma.Michael Stuhlbarg plays Richard Sackler in the Hulu series, which is based on the nonfiction book of the same name. Michael Keaton, Kaitlyn Dever, Will Poulter, and Rosario Dawson also star.Why you'll like it: Similar to Painkiller, the real-life ramifications of the opioid epidemic aren't ignored, and Dopesick offers a heartbreaking portrait of addiction and recovery.All eight episodes of Dopesick are available to stream on Hulu.Summary: HBO's The Crime of the Century documentary is split into two parts. The first part follows the beginnings of the opioid crisis in the United States, including the introduction of OxyContin to the market, and the efforts of Purdue Pharma to get the drug approved by the FDA. The second follows the marketing of Fentanyl and its affects on the American public.Why you'll like it: While both parts of Crime of the Century are fascinating, the first part is definitely a must-watch for anyone interested in learning more about the real-life history of Purdue Pharma and the Sacklers. As a whole, the documentary is informative and infuriating in equal measure.Both parts of The Crime of the Century are available to stream on Max.Summary: Bryan Cranston stars in this critically-acclaimed drama about Walter White, a high-school science teacher who decides to begin producing meth after being diagnosed with terminal cancer. Complicating matters is Walter's brother-in-law, who's a DEA agent, and his inexperienced business partner, Jesse.Why you'll like it: Following in the footsteps of iconic shows like The Sopranos and Mad Men, Breaking Bad explores just how far someone would go to maintain their secrets and hold onto their influence. And fans of Painkiller will likely be drawn by the show's compelling characters and unflinching portrayal of a drug empire.All five seasons of Breaking Bad are available to stream on Netflix.Summary: This award-winning Netflix drama also follows a dysfunctional family involved in drug dealing — although in this case, the Byrde family is just laundering money for a Mexican drug cartel. Unsurprisingly, the family's move from the Chicago suburbs down to the Lake of the Ozarks in Missouri is a culture shock for everyone involved.Why you'll like it: There's plenty of complicated family dynamics, power grabs, and colorful characters on the show, and the stunning performances of stars Jason Bateman, Laura Linney, and Julia Garner make Ozark a must-watch.All four seasons of Ozark are streaming on Netflix.Summary: Inspired by the works of Edgar Allan Poe, Mike Flanagan's final Netflix series The Fall of the House of Usher follows the titular Usher family as they run the fictional Fortunato Pharmaceuticals, a powerful and corrupt drug company. After the heirs to the Usher family fortune begin to mysteriously die off, patriarch Roderick Usher comes clean to an assistant US attorney about the family's sordid history.Why you'll like it: While Fall of the House of Usher is certainly more gothic and fantastical than Painkiller, the parallels between the Usher family and their problematic drug company, and an infamous real-life family dynasty with ties to a powerful pharmaceutical company, are pretty obvious.All eight episodes of The Fall of the House of Usher are available to stream on Netflix.Summary: Before there was Ozark or Painkiller, there was Narcos. This Netflix original drama follows the life of real-life drug kingpin Pablo Escobar in 1980s Colombia, and also stars Pedro Pascal and Diego Luna.It's worth noting that the first three seasons of Narcos follow Escobar and the Colombian drug cartels, but the fourth season was rebranded as the start of a spinoff, Narcos: Mexico, which follows leaders of the Mexican drug cartels including Joaquín El Chapo Guzmán.Why you'll like it: There's backstabbing, drama, and lots and lots of cocaine — and of course, plenty of tension between Escobar and the DEA/CIA agents trying to bring him down. Viewers who are more interested in illegal drug empires will certainly find a lot to unpack in Narcos.All three seasons of Narcos and all three seasons of Narcos: Mexico are available to stream on Netflix.Summary: Kumail Nanjiani portrays Somen Steve Banerjee, the founder of the all-male strip revue Chippendales who will stop at nothing to grow his strip-club empire — not even murder. After things go sour with his business partner, Steve spirals slowly into desperation and paranoia, making for a particularly shocking finale.Why you'll like it: The real-life origin story of the all-male strip revue known as the Chippendales is shocking and salacious, and much like Painkiller, Hulu's Welcome to Chippendales aims to pull back the curtain on this eyebrow-raising true story.All eight episodes of Welcome to Chippendales are available to stream on Hulu.

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7 shows like Netflix's 'Painkiller' to watch next, from fictionalized dramas to crime thrillers

1. "Dopesick"

2. "The Crime of the Century"

3. "Breaking Bad"

4. "Ozark"

5. "The Fall of the House of Usher"

6. "Narcos"

7. "Welcome to Chippendales"