Pain Hustlers (2023)
Pain HustlersMovie on Netflix
”A high-school dropout lands a job with a failing pharmaceutical start-up, leading her into a criminal conspiracy.”
Available at home
Subscription
Trailer
Why watch this film?
Inspired by journalist Evan Hughes' book and screened at the Toronto Film Festival, "Pain Hustlers" is a Netflix original movie that tells the story of Liza Drake (Emily Blunt), a mother with a sick daughter who loses her job. Desperate, a chance encounter with a questionable sales agent at a pharmaceutical company (Chris Evans) becomes her fast track to economic recovery - and much more. However, the company's dubious morality and a growing awareness of the impact of opioids on society lead Liza to reconsider the decisions that have put her at the center of a criminal conspiracy. Directed by David Yates (responsible for most of the Harry Potter film series), the film explores themes like desperation, economic precarity, and sheer greed but doesn't go much further. It's a superficial look at the opioid crisis in the United States, so it's not the best introduction to the topic. Nevertheless, the cast, led by Blunt and Evans, does a great job, with performances from Andy Garcia (The Godfather: Part III) and Catherine O'Hara (Schitt's Creek) as well.
Filmelier
Our suggestions
Plot summary
Dreaming of a better life for her and her young daughter, Liza Drake, a high-school dropout, lands a job with a failing pharmaceutical start-up in a yellowing strip mall in Central Florida. Liza's charm, guts and drive catapult the company and her into the high life, where she soon finds herself at the center of a criminal conspiracy with deadly consequences.
To share
Do you want to watch something different?
Watch full movies now!
Press play and be surprised!
Where to watch?
Available at home
From the same director
Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them
"Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them" is a return to the Harry Potter franchise - which, though not strictly based on a book from the wizard's saga, has a screenplay co-written by the creator of the character and its universe: J.K. Rowling. From the feature film, the writer expands the context of the magical universe to the US in the 1920s. The movie has its peculiarities, but benefits from a solid cast and performances by Eddie Redmayne, Katherine Waterston, Colin Farrell, Ezra Miller, Alison Sudol and Dan Fogler, who clearly steals the show.
Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald
The second part of the 'Fantastic Beasts' franchise, which is a spin-off of the Harry Potter movies, taking place decades before the stories of the famous wizard. Although it makes a greater connection with the main series, including the introduction of a young Dumbledore (played by Jude Law), 'The Crimes of Grindelwald' was extremely criticized by the press and fans, either due to the changes caused in the chronology (known as "retcons"), by script flaws, or even for the choice of Johnny Depp as the villain Gellert Grindewald - the actor was accused of assaulting his ex-wife, actress Amber Heard. Unfortunately, all this broke some of the magic of the production, although it still maintains the fantasy that marks J.K. Rowling's creations. Recommended for 'potterheads', those fans who watched all the films in the saga and who, despite its highs and lows, will continue to follow.
The Legend of Tarzan
"The Legend of Tarzan" is an adventure/romance drama that portrays the return of Tarzan (played by Alexander Skarsgård) to his roots in the jungle after years living in European civilization. Along with his wife Jane (played by Margot Robbie), Tarzan fights against colonizing explorers who seek to subjugate the Congolese people and enrich themselves by exploiting its natural resources. Skarsgård brings an impressive and imposing energy to the iconic hero role, while Robbie is a captivating and strong presence as the courageous Jane. The dynamic between the two main characters is a highlight of the movie, as well as the chemistry between the two actors.The villain of the story, Leon Rom (played by Christoph Waltz), is also a standout, bringing a blend of elegance and wickedness to his performance. In addition, the cinematography is spectacular, capturing the beauty and brutality of the jungle in an impressive way.An emotional and visually stunning movie that perfectly combines elements of action, romance, and drama. An excellent adaptation of one of the most iconic characters in pop culture.
Fantastic beasts: The secrets of Dumbledore
Third movie of the franchise derived from 'Harry Potter', 'Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore' is the feature film with the responsibility of correcting the course of Newt Scamander's story and company. After all, after an absolutely unstable second movie, David Yates returns to the direction trying to make the magic return to the wizard world. To do this, he makes some changes (Mads Mikkelsen instead of Johnny Depp) and looks more closely at the first movie, 'Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them', which is the best rated of the franchise. There is still no heart in the story, which seems not to know which way to go or which story to tell. Still, the fight against the wizard Grindelwald (Mads Mikkelsen) awakens the enthusiasm of the fans. The absolute highlight is the cast, especially Mikkelsen and Jude Law as Dumbledore, who dive headfirst into their characters and raise the overall quality (and excitement) of the feature film.
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
With 'Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix', the franchise of the wizard played by Daniel Radcliffe takes on the face, form and tone that follows the films up to the 'Fantastic Beasts' spin-offs. After all, director David Yates takes the lead of the story and puts a plasticity, almost an industrial rhythm in what is done, bringing a typical English conduct to the saga. It's slower, more contemplative, things get stranger - in the good and bad sense. In addition, there are many political subplots, due to the interference of the Ministry of Magic. However, contrary to what may seem, the film is one of the most exciting of the saga, with Harry teaching spells to students, Dumbledore showing his powers and, finally, engaging in the famous battle against Lord Voldemort, already alive and powerful.
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
Last movie before the double conclusion of the saga, 'Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince' is a peek over the shoulder into Hogwarts' and Voldemort's past. Instead of moving forward, David Yates uses the film as a point of observation of the past. It is here that Harry and Dumbledore draw closer and begin to investigate Lord Voldemort's past more deeply. Furthermore, it is worth noting that it is one of the least faithful films to Rowling's books, with several passages suppressed and others transformed -- many fans, by the way, still haven't forgiven the subway flirting. However, it is the film that gives the most layers to Professor Snape's character and has a sad and melancholic ending that should leave any fan in awe.
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part 2
After an introduction to the conclusion of the saga, 'Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2' arrives with the responsibility of putting a final point in the story of Harry, Ron and Hermione. And it does so with honor, in an energetic, strong and impactful way. After all, just like 'Toy Story 3', which followed the maturity of those who watched the films and were moved by the farewell of the toys, the last chapter of the official Harry Potter saga shows the characters leaving, magical environments being destroyed and delicious worlds that will never be visited again. And it's hard not to vibrate and be moved by the last scenes, while seeing the characters, who accompanied generations, saying goodbye.
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part 1
Due to the large amount of material in the last book of the 'Harry Potter' saga, Warner Bros. opted to divide it into two parts. Thus, in 'Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1', what we see is a necessary introduction to the war to be fought between Voldemort and the rest of the magical world. Here, Yates bets on a kind of road movie, with the trio Harry, Ron and Hermione away from the magical world of Hogwarts and trying to survive in a scenario of despair. Like 'Order of the Phoenix' and 'Half-Blood Prince', it is a calmer and contemplative film, despite the chaos that begins to settle in. The emotion comes from the last 15 minutes, when the script takes a turn, shows the death of a beloved character and indicates that the next film will spare no one.
Thriller
Out of Darkness
The stunning feature film debut of director Andrew Cumming is what happens when you take the horror and survival thriller to its most basic elements, in more ways than one. Out of Darkness is set in the Stone Age, 45 thousand years in the past, and follows a small group of people looking to build a new home in a desolate landscape. However, as darkness falls, they realize they are not alone, and that an evil lurking in the shadows seeks to consume them. The film's great achievement is to create an atmosphere that connects us to our most primal and natural fear: the fear of dying at any moment, due to human fragility in the face of the world's dangers. Darkness and uncertainty are the big monsters here, something few horror films manage to convey effectively.
Boy Kills World
In Boy Kills World, Bill Skarsgård (IT) plays another somewhat disturbed protagonist. Here, he swears revenge after his family is murdered by Hilda Van Der Koy (Famke Janssen), the disturbed matriarch who left the boy orphaned, deaf, and voiceless. With shades of John Wick, the young man seeks to become an instrument of death and promises to cause bloody chaos, ideal for those who enjoy a movie with few scruples and visually appealing aesthetics. It doesn't bring much new to the genre, but it's at least entertaining.
Motel Destino
Dayana lives an abusive marriage with former police officer Elias, owner of Motel Destino. When 21-year-old Heraldo finds himself at the motel after messing up a hit and going on the run, Dayana finds herself intrigued and lets him stay. As the two navigate a dance of power, desire and liberation, a dangerous plan for freedom emerges.
Winnie-the-Pooh: Blood and Honey 2
Winnie the Pooh: Blood and Honey 2 is the unlikely sequel to the feature film that placed the characters of this playful and childlike universe into a world of violence and horror. However, don't expect a production as weak as the previous film: with the success of the first installment at the box office, the production had more money to invest, and thus Winnie the Pooh: Blood and Honey 2 manages to be more realistic, violent, and impressive compared to the first film. The characters' masks are much scarier, and it ceases to be a complete joke. It's still difficult to take the film entirely seriously, especially with this bizarre premise of Pooh and his friends seeking bloody revenge, but you can already feel more fear and, above all, immerse yourself in the wave of violence that the film promotes. To have fun with friends.
