Netflix Unveils New Stills of Chris Evans and Emily Blunt in Dark Comedy ‘Pain Hustlers’

THE BIG PICTURE

Ah, the wait has been almost excruciating, pun intended. After first making waves in the early days of 2022, ‘Pain Hustlers’ is finally giving us a peek behind the curtain with fresh images released by Netflix. This edgy comedy dives headfirst into the American opioid crisis, seen through the actions of two morally bankrupt yet magnetically charming individuals portrayed by Chris Evans and Emily Blunt.

You’ve heard the whispers, seen the tweets, and maybe even joined a Reddit thread speculating about ‘Pain Hustlers’. Despite all the early chatter, we’re still waiting on that elusive first trailer. But Netflix is slowly lifting the veil, as they prepare for the movie’s theater launch. Today, the streaming giant shared some tantalizing images via Entertainment Weekly, spotlighting a stellar cast you’ll love to hate.

In the center of this controversial tale are two opportunistic souls, Pete Brenner (Chris Evans), a sales rep for Zanna Therapeutics, and Liza Drake (Emily Blunt), a single mother with killer business instincts. Drake impresses Zanna’s squad and secures a job, putting both characters on a dubious path to profiteering from the opioid epidemic.

Don’t expect a moral awakening from these characters. The newly unveiled stills emphasize that ‘Pain Hustlers’ will lean heavily into cynicism while enhancing the protagonists’ undeniable allure. We also catch glimpses of Andy Garcia and Catherine O’Hara, who add their own blend of gravitas and quirkiness to this unholy mix. Garcia portrays Jack Neel, a billionaire doctor behind Zanna’s new pain med, while O’Hara steps into the role of Jackie, Liza Drake’s equally scheming mother.

The Man Behind the Camera

And now for a gear shift. Directing this dark satire is David Yates, a name you’d most likely associate with flying broomsticks and magical spells. In a chat with Entertainment Weekly, Yates admitted that after nearly a decade and a half in the Wizarding World, it was refreshing to return to something a bit more, well, Muggle-ish.

Yates explained, “What drew me to ‘Pain Hustlers’ was the chance to go back to basics. I yearned for scenes where the most electrifying element wasn’t CGI but an authentic exchange between two characters.”

Context is Key

For context, ‘Pain Hustlers’ is joining a lineup of productions that focus on America’s opioid crisis. Following the Hulu series ‘Dopesick’ and the Netflix miniseries ‘Painkiller’, the film draws its narrative from Evan Hughes’ investigative book, “Pain Hustlers: Crime and Punishment at an Opioid Startup”.

Mark Your Calendars

If this isn’t already on your “must-watch” list, jot this down. ‘Pain Hustlers’ will hit select theaters on October 20 and make its Netflix debut a week later, on October 27. Until then, feel free to speculate and salivate over the newly-released images.

So there you have it, folks. The anticipation is almost too much to bear, but we’ve got some appetizers to tide us over. Keep your eyes peeled for more, because this is one train you won’t want to miss.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Pain Hustlers

More about Pain Hustlers

• Entertainment Weekly’s Exclusive ‘Pain Hustlers’ Images
• Interview with David Yates on Directing ‘Pain Hustlers’
• Evan Hughes’ Book “Pain Hustlers: Crime and Punishment at an Opioid Startup”
• Netflix’s Official Page for ‘Pain Hustlers’
• ‘Dopesick’ Hulu Series
• ‘Painkiller’ Netflix Miniseries
• Chris Evans’ IMDb Page
• Emily Blunt’s IMDb Page
• David Yates’ IMDb Page
• Information on the American Opioid Crisis