When Barry Meier first published what would become his explosive book Pain Killer back in 2003, which investigated the billionaire scions behind Purdue Pharma and the drug OxyContin, it was optioned by production firm Anonymous Content. But, the author says, Hollywood wasn’t actually ready to tell the story. “They had a very hard time selling a script at that point, because Purdue had not been indicted yet by the Justice Department,” Meier tells The Hollywood Reporter. “So people in Hollywood were going, ‘Are these good guys; are they bad guys? How do we cast this?’ Well, by 2007, it was pretty clear that this company had pled guilty to a federal crime, and that OxyContin had planted the seed and was the gateway drug to this horrible opioid epidemic that was still unfolding.”
Nearly 20 years later, after Patrick Radden Keefe’s New Yorker article “The Family That Built the Empire of...
Nearly 20 years later, after Patrick Radden Keefe’s New Yorker article “The Family That Built the Empire of...
- 8/18/2023
- by Jackie Strause
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
While Fentanyl now dominates headlines as the drug wreaking havoc on our society, back in the late 1990s and early 2000s, it was OxyContin that led conversations about the impact of overprescribed opioids. Formulated, produced, marketed and sold by the family-run organization Purdue Pharma, Oxy quickly grew in popularity because it was marketed as a safe, “non-addictive” opioid. Oxy was then pushed onto patients through respected healthcare professionals who were misinformed about the drug and profited greatly from prescribing it.
Barry Meier’s book “Pain Killer” and the New Yorker article “The Family That Built the Empire of Pain,” by Patrick Radden Keefe, documented the rise of OxyContin and the lasting impact it had here in the U.S., and both serve as the foundation for Netflix’s new limited series “Painkiller.” Directed by Peter Berg, the show is a fictionalized account of the opioid epidemic as told from the perspective of the survivors,...
Barry Meier’s book “Pain Killer” and the New Yorker article “The Family That Built the Empire of Pain,” by Patrick Radden Keefe, documented the rise of OxyContin and the lasting impact it had here in the U.S., and both serve as the foundation for Netflix’s new limited series “Painkiller.” Directed by Peter Berg, the show is a fictionalized account of the opioid epidemic as told from the perspective of the survivors,...
- 8/10/2023
- by Aramide Tinubu
- Variety Film + TV
Cults come in many shapes, sizes and forms, not all of them involving a charismatic figurehead, secluded hideaway, or cache of weapons. Sometimes, as in Netflix’s lively new Sackler family takedown Painkiller, the angels of death are short-skirted sales reps, heroin Barbies who scream their heads off at sales “conferences” and seduce doctors with gifts, hefty speaker fees, and, sometimes, sex. They’re paid handsomely, plied with Porsches and luxury apartments, all for spreading the lethal lies that Oxycontin isn’t terribly addictive and doctors are professionally if not...
- 8/10/2023
- by Chris Vognar
- Rollingstone.com
Adam McKay’s name is nowhere to be found in the credits for Painkiller, for the very good reason that he had nothing to do with it.
Yet it’s hard not to see his influence all over the Netflix miniseries. It’s there in the restless pacing, in the heavy-handed metaphors, in the choice to have the entire thing narrated by a character who all but reaches out from the screen to grab the audience by the lapels and shake them into action.
And it’s there, too, in the accompanying limitations. Painkiller, created by Micah Fitzerman-Blue and Noah Harper, presumably intends for all that flash to draw attention to its weighty central narrative about the launch of OxyContin and the ensuing opioid epidemic. But it overshoots that mark. The style is so ostentatious it distracts from the substance, even as it means to hammer home how important that substance really is.
Yet it’s hard not to see his influence all over the Netflix miniseries. It’s there in the restless pacing, in the heavy-handed metaphors, in the choice to have the entire thing narrated by a character who all but reaches out from the screen to grab the audience by the lapels and shake them into action.
And it’s there, too, in the accompanying limitations. Painkiller, created by Micah Fitzerman-Blue and Noah Harper, presumably intends for all that flash to draw attention to its weighty central narrative about the launch of OxyContin and the ensuing opioid epidemic. But it overshoots that mark. The style is so ostentatious it distracts from the substance, even as it means to hammer home how important that substance really is.
- 8/10/2023
- by Angie Han
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
It’s hard to say how “Painkiller,” a fictionalized Netflix limited series based on America’s opioid crisis, would play had one never seen the similarly themed and structured – and vastly superior – 2021 Hulu limited series “Dopesick.”
The new show’s misuse of lead actors Uzo Aduba, who plays a crusading U.S. Attorney’s office investigator, and Matthew Broderick, who plays real-life former Purdue Pharma head Richard Sackler – would be evident either way. So would director Peter Berg’s overuse of early aughts-style rock ‘em sock ‘em shaky camera work, quick edits and blue light.
But “Painkiller” likely would not seem so wholly unnecessary if “Dopesick” did not exist.
Unfolding over six hour-long episodes, “Painkiller” makes compelling points about Purdue, the pharmaceutical company that overhyped the painkilling potential of its drug OxyContin while underplaying its addictive qualities. Characters repeatedly call OxyContin what it is: heroin in candy coating. Such frankness...
The new show’s misuse of lead actors Uzo Aduba, who plays a crusading U.S. Attorney’s office investigator, and Matthew Broderick, who plays real-life former Purdue Pharma head Richard Sackler – would be evident either way. So would director Peter Berg’s overuse of early aughts-style rock ‘em sock ‘em shaky camera work, quick edits and blue light.
But “Painkiller” likely would not seem so wholly unnecessary if “Dopesick” did not exist.
Unfolding over six hour-long episodes, “Painkiller” makes compelling points about Purdue, the pharmaceutical company that overhyped the painkilling potential of its drug OxyContin while underplaying its addictive qualities. Characters repeatedly call OxyContin what it is: heroin in candy coating. Such frankness...
- 8/10/2023
- by Carla Meyer
- The Wrap
In the second episode of Netflix’s Painkiller, two sales representatives (West Duchovny and Dina Shihabi) call in on various doctors’ offices to push a pill that promises to reduce pain and enhance quality of life. Like all good sales reps, they come bearing gifts, among them a cute stuffed toy in the shape of a pill, a recurring motif throughout the series meant to represent danger disguised as something innocuous. The drug in question is OxyContin, and the sales reps work for Purdue Pharma, the company that, under the ownership of the now infamous Sackler family, marketed the opioid to millions of Americans to devastating results.
The plot unfolds as Edie Flowers (Uzo Aduba), a jaded state investigator, recounts her findings to the lawyers trying to build a case against the Sacklers. The series attempts to address every possible angle of the scandal, from the company that created the drug,...
The plot unfolds as Edie Flowers (Uzo Aduba), a jaded state investigator, recounts her findings to the lawyers trying to build a case against the Sacklers. The series attempts to address every possible angle of the scandal, from the company that created the drug,...
- 8/10/2023
- by Amelia Stout
- Slant Magazine
Network: Prime Video.
Episodes: 30 (hour).
Seasons: Four.
TV show dates: August 31, 2018 — July 14, 2023.
Series status: Ended.
Performers include: John Krasinski, Wendell Pierce, Abbie Cornish, Ali Suliman, Dina Shihabi, John Hoogenakker, Noomi Rapace, Jordi Mollà, Francisco Denis, Cristina Umaña, Jovan Adepo, Michael Kelly, Betty Gabriel, James Cosmo, Peter Guinness, Nina Hoss, Alexej Manvelov, Michael Peña, Okieriete Onaodowan, and Louis Ozawa Changchien.
TV show description:
Based on the Tom Clancy character of page and silver screen, the Tom Clancy's Jack Ryan TV show comes from creators Carlton Cuse and Graham Roland. The political action thriller follows Jack Ryan (Krasinski), a former US Marine who is now working as a fledgling CIA analyst.
The drama series kicks...
Episodes: 30 (hour).
Seasons: Four.
TV show dates: August 31, 2018 — July 14, 2023.
Series status: Ended.
Performers include: John Krasinski, Wendell Pierce, Abbie Cornish, Ali Suliman, Dina Shihabi, John Hoogenakker, Noomi Rapace, Jordi Mollà, Francisco Denis, Cristina Umaña, Jovan Adepo, Michael Kelly, Betty Gabriel, James Cosmo, Peter Guinness, Nina Hoss, Alexej Manvelov, Michael Peña, Okieriete Onaodowan, and Louis Ozawa Changchien.
TV show description:
Based on the Tom Clancy character of page and silver screen, the Tom Clancy's Jack Ryan TV show comes from creators Carlton Cuse and Graham Roland. The political action thriller follows Jack Ryan (Krasinski), a former US Marine who is now working as a fledgling CIA analyst.
The drama series kicks...
- 7/14/2023
- by TVSeriesFinale.com
- TVSeriesFinale.com
Calling all Bravoholics! Fans will be able to purchase three-day tickets for the upcoming BravoCon beginning Friday, July 21 at 12 p.m. Et/ 9 a.m. Pt, NBCU announced on Thursday.
Fans who decide to purchase tickets on July 21, will have the choice between the three-day “Bravoholic” general admission and “Future Bravolebrity” VIP tickets for the Las Vegas event.
The annual convention will relocate for the 2023 event and take place from Nov. 3-5 at Caesars Forum on the Las Vegas Strip. Fans will have the opportunity to attend over 60 live events that will host their favorite cast members, from several Bravo franchises including “The Real Housewives,” “Vanderpump Rules,” “Below Deck,” “Southern Charm,” “Summer House” and “Winter House.” In between attending live events, fans will have the opportunity to shop around the Bravo Bazaar, attend VIP talent meet and greets and participate in immersive activations.
In addition to panels with the casts, fans...
Fans who decide to purchase tickets on July 21, will have the choice between the three-day “Bravoholic” general admission and “Future Bravolebrity” VIP tickets for the Las Vegas event.
The annual convention will relocate for the 2023 event and take place from Nov. 3-5 at Caesars Forum on the Las Vegas Strip. Fans will have the opportunity to attend over 60 live events that will host their favorite cast members, from several Bravo franchises including “The Real Housewives,” “Vanderpump Rules,” “Below Deck,” “Southern Charm,” “Summer House” and “Winter House.” In between attending live events, fans will have the opportunity to shop around the Bravo Bazaar, attend VIP talent meet and greets and participate in immersive activations.
In addition to panels with the casts, fans...
- 7/13/2023
- by Sophia Scorziello, Charna Flam and McKinley Franklin
- Variety Film + TV
Painkiller finally has its arrival date. The limited drama was first announced by Netflix in 2021 with the reveal of its cast. Six episodes were produced for the series, which arrives on August 10th.
Starring Uzo Aduba, Matthew Broderick, Taylor Kitsch, Dina Shihabi, West Duchovny, John Rothman, Clark Gregg, Jack Mulhern, Sam Anderson, Ana Cruz Kayne, Brian Markinson, Noah Harpster, John Ales, Johnny Sneed, Tyler Ritter, and Carolina Bartczak, the series tells the story of the opioid crisis.Read More…...
Starring Uzo Aduba, Matthew Broderick, Taylor Kitsch, Dina Shihabi, West Duchovny, John Rothman, Clark Gregg, Jack Mulhern, Sam Anderson, Ana Cruz Kayne, Brian Markinson, Noah Harpster, John Ales, Johnny Sneed, Tyler Ritter, and Carolina Bartczak, the series tells the story of the opioid crisis.Read More…...
- 7/12/2023
- by TVSeriesFinale.com
- TVSeriesFinale.com
The trailer for Netflix’s new limited series “Painkiller” has arrived.
Inspired by real events based on America’s opioid crisis, the look-ahead clip sees an investigator with the US attorney’s office (Uzo Aduba) look into “how something so legally prescribed could be killing so many people.”
Read More: Uzo Aduba Expecting Her First Child With Husband Robert Sweeting: ‘I Am Beyond Excited’
Uzo Aduba as Edie in episode 102 of “Painkiller”. — Photo: Keri Anderson/Netflix
The official synopsis reads: “A fictionalized retelling of events, ‘Painkiller’ is a scripted limited series that explores some of the origins and aftermath of the opioid crisis in America, highlighting the stories of the perpetrators, victims, and truth-seekers whose lives are forever altered by the invention of OxyContin.”
Taylor Kitsch as Glen Kryger, Carolina Bartczak as Lily Kryger in episode 101 of “Painkiller”. — Photo: Keri Anderson/Netflix West Duchovny as Shannon Shaeffer in episode...
Inspired by real events based on America’s opioid crisis, the look-ahead clip sees an investigator with the US attorney’s office (Uzo Aduba) look into “how something so legally prescribed could be killing so many people.”
Read More: Uzo Aduba Expecting Her First Child With Husband Robert Sweeting: ‘I Am Beyond Excited’
Uzo Aduba as Edie in episode 102 of “Painkiller”. — Photo: Keri Anderson/Netflix
The official synopsis reads: “A fictionalized retelling of events, ‘Painkiller’ is a scripted limited series that explores some of the origins and aftermath of the opioid crisis in America, highlighting the stories of the perpetrators, victims, and truth-seekers whose lives are forever altered by the invention of OxyContin.”
Taylor Kitsch as Glen Kryger, Carolina Bartczak as Lily Kryger in episode 101 of “Painkiller”. — Photo: Keri Anderson/Netflix West Duchovny as Shannon Shaeffer in episode...
- 7/11/2023
- by Melissa Romualdi
- ET Canada
There’s a thin line between pain and pleasure, and if you’re not careful, people looking to get rich off your threshold will take advantage. Netflix‘s new Painkiller trailer looks at the ongoing opioid crisis, with the war between medicine and money raging like roaring wildfire in certain parts of the world. According to Netflix, Painkiller presents a 6-episode series exploring the “how” and the “who” of the epidemic.
Here’s the official synopsis for Painkiller:
A fictionalized retelling of events, Painkiller is a scripted limited series that explores some of the origins and aftermath of the opioid crisis in America, highlighting the stories of the perpetrators, victims, and truth-seekers whose lives are forever altered by the invention of OxyContin. An examination of crime, accountability, and the systems that have repeatedly failed hundreds of thousands of Americans, Painkiller is based on the book “Pain Killer” by Barry Meier...
Here’s the official synopsis for Painkiller:
A fictionalized retelling of events, Painkiller is a scripted limited series that explores some of the origins and aftermath of the opioid crisis in America, highlighting the stories of the perpetrators, victims, and truth-seekers whose lives are forever altered by the invention of OxyContin. An examination of crime, accountability, and the systems that have repeatedly failed hundreds of thousands of Americans, Painkiller is based on the book “Pain Killer” by Barry Meier...
- 7/11/2023
- by Steve Seigh
- JoBlo.com
The national opioid crisis has inspired a new series that hopes to lead to change. On Tuesday, Netflix released the trailer for Painkiller, a six-episode fictional series inspired by the real events that led to the rise of Purdue Pharma and Oxycontin.
Uzo Aduba plays the lead prosecutor Edie Flowers, who works to take down Purdue Pharma, as her character accuses the company of “doing the same as every crack dealer in America, but they’re getting rewarded for it.”
The trailer follows Matthew Broderick in the role of Purdue...
Uzo Aduba plays the lead prosecutor Edie Flowers, who works to take down Purdue Pharma, as her character accuses the company of “doing the same as every crack dealer in America, but they’re getting rewarded for it.”
The trailer follows Matthew Broderick in the role of Purdue...
- 7/11/2023
- by Tomás Mier
- Rollingstone.com
"The more you prescribe, the more you'll help." Netflix has revealed a trailer for their series Painkiller, a scripted account about the origins of the opioid crisis in America. The series is directed by Pete Berg, yes that Pete Berg, director of the movies Friday Night Lights, Hancock, Battleship, Lone Survivor, Deepwater Horizon, and Patriots Day. Over its six episodes, Painkiller sets out to unpack the "how" and "who" of the epidemic. "This is the origin story of the collision between medicine and money that allowed it to happen. One of the many things that I thought was missing [from the conversation] was the introduction of the drug into mainstream medicine. How Arthur Sackler, this psychiatrist... who specialized in lobotomies, started to realize that the future was in pills — specifically in advertising pills. Whoever could market their drug better was going to make the most money." The tone of the series acts as...
- 7/11/2023
- by Alex Billington
- firstshowing.net
It’s Matthew Broderick like you’ve never seen him (and never wanted to see him) before.
The actor takes center stage in Netflix’s just-released trailer for Painkiller, a six-episode limited series about the origins of America’s opioid crisis, looming large as a key figure in the rise of OxyContin.
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Described...
The actor takes center stage in Netflix’s just-released trailer for Painkiller, a six-episode limited series about the origins of America’s opioid crisis, looming large as a key figure in the rise of OxyContin.
More from TVLineCheers to The Witcher for Giving Jaskier a Swoonworthy Romance, One of the Best Surprises of Season 3 (So Far)Candace Cameron Bure Denies Trying to Have Miss Benny's Gay Fuller House Character Written OutSex Education Ending With Season 4 - Get Release Date and Watch Teaser
Described...
- 7/11/2023
- by Andy Swift
- TVLine.com
Painkiller, Netflix’s anticipated and upcoming new limited series about the U.S. opioid crisis, has dropped its first trailer.
The six-episode series releasing Aug. 10 from the EP team of Eric Newman (Narcos, True Story) and director Pete Berg (Friday Night Lights, Spenser Confidential) is inspired by real events amid the country’s opioid crisis and features a cast including Uzo Aduba, Matthew Broderick, Taylor Kitsch (marking a Fnl reunion with Berg), Dina Shihabi, West Duchovny and John Rothman.
Alex Gibney (The Crime of the Century, Going Clear) also executive produces with creators, showrunners and writers Micah Fitzerman-Blue and Noah Harpster (A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood).
The trailer introduces Aduba’s character as Edie, the investigator leading the case against Purdue Pharma, with Broderick playing Richard Sackler, a scion of the billionaire family that controls Purdue and a senior executive at the company.
Sackler explains that human behavior is...
The six-episode series releasing Aug. 10 from the EP team of Eric Newman (Narcos, True Story) and director Pete Berg (Friday Night Lights, Spenser Confidential) is inspired by real events amid the country’s opioid crisis and features a cast including Uzo Aduba, Matthew Broderick, Taylor Kitsch (marking a Fnl reunion with Berg), Dina Shihabi, West Duchovny and John Rothman.
Alex Gibney (The Crime of the Century, Going Clear) also executive produces with creators, showrunners and writers Micah Fitzerman-Blue and Noah Harpster (A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood).
The trailer introduces Aduba’s character as Edie, the investigator leading the case against Purdue Pharma, with Broderick playing Richard Sackler, a scion of the billionaire family that controls Purdue and a senior executive at the company.
Sackler explains that human behavior is...
- 7/11/2023
- by Jackie Strause
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Netflix’s upcoming limited series “Painkiller” is lifting the veil on America’s opioid crisis, investigating the role of one family in making OxyContin “the No. 1 opioid in the country.”
“All of human behavior is essentially comprised of two things: run from pain, run toward pleasure; pain, pleasure,” Matthew Broderick’s Richard Sackler said in the series’ official trailer. “If we place ourselves right there between pain and pleasure, we will never have to worry about money again.”
As the Sackler dynasty’s Purdue Pharma recruits a batch of fresh-faced sales workers who they claim will convince doctors to “take pain seriously,” an investor from the U.S. attorneys office (Uzo Aduba) is determined to take the family responsible for countless deaths down.
“You lie, you hurt people, you go down,” Aduba said. “They are doing the exact same thing as crack dealers but they are getting rewarded it.”
Also...
“All of human behavior is essentially comprised of two things: run from pain, run toward pleasure; pain, pleasure,” Matthew Broderick’s Richard Sackler said in the series’ official trailer. “If we place ourselves right there between pain and pleasure, we will never have to worry about money again.”
As the Sackler dynasty’s Purdue Pharma recruits a batch of fresh-faced sales workers who they claim will convince doctors to “take pain seriously,” an investor from the U.S. attorneys office (Uzo Aduba) is determined to take the family responsible for countless deaths down.
“You lie, you hurt people, you go down,” Aduba said. “They are doing the exact same thing as crack dealers but they are getting rewarded it.”
Also...
- 7/11/2023
- by Loree Seitz
- The Wrap
Imad Mughniyeh was responsible for more American deaths in terrorist attacks before the devastating 9/11 bombings and was able to outsmart not only the CIA but also the Mossad. Making matters even more difficult was the fact that no one knew what he looked like. By 2001, he was on the FBI’s Most Wanted Terrorist list with a $15 million bounty for information leading to his arrest. The reward was later bumped up to $25 million. He ultimately appeared on the most wanted list in 42 countries before he died was assassinated at the age of 45 in a car bombing in 2008.
Showtime’s new limited series “Ghosts of Beirut” shines the spotlight on the terrorist and the CIA and Mossad’s attempts to capture him. The Washington Post’s national security reporter Shane Harris recently conducted a Zoom conversation with co-creators Greg Barker and Avi Issacharoff and star Dina Shihabi.
“He’s one of...
Showtime’s new limited series “Ghosts of Beirut” shines the spotlight on the terrorist and the CIA and Mossad’s attempts to capture him. The Washington Post’s national security reporter Shane Harris recently conducted a Zoom conversation with co-creators Greg Barker and Avi Issacharoff and star Dina Shihabi.
“He’s one of...
- 5/19/2023
- by Susan King
- Gold Derby
New reality show “Drag Me To Dinner” will make its debut on Hulu on May 31. In each episode, two teams of drag queens will compete to see who can throw the most fabulous dinner party. The champion will be crowned by judges Neil Patrick Harris, David Burtka, drag superstar Bianca Del Rio, and Haneefah Wood. Harris and husband Burtka — who is an actor and cookbook author — serve as executive producers. Actor, comedian, and drag king Murray Hill will host the series.
Watch the “Drag Me To Dinner” trailer: 30-Day Free Trial $7.99+ / month hulu.com
The final season of “Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan” will premiere on Prime Video on July 14. The popular spy series stars John Krasinski who has graduated from spy to deputy director of the CIA. The fourth season will see Clancy’s iconic character cope with drug cartels, terrorist organizations, a series of suspicious black ops, and a domestic conspiracy.
Watch the “Drag Me To Dinner” trailer: 30-Day Free Trial $7.99+ / month hulu.com
The final season of “Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan” will premiere on Prime Video on July 14. The popular spy series stars John Krasinski who has graduated from spy to deputy director of the CIA. The fourth season will see Clancy’s iconic character cope with drug cartels, terrorist organizations, a series of suspicious black ops, and a domestic conspiracy.
- 5/10/2023
- by Fern Siegel
- The Streamable
Netflix has another limited series on tap for later this year, and it's sure to be one of the most talked-about shows of the year.
The streaming service on Monday dropped the first look photos and premiere date for Painkiller.
The highly-anticipated drama touches down on Thursday, August 10.
Netflix stresses that the series is "a fictionalized retelling of events."
Painkiller "explores some of the origins and aftermath of the opioid crisis in America, highlighting the stories of the perpetrators, victims, and truth-seekers whose lives are forever altered by the invention of OxyContin."
"An examination of crime, accountability, and the systems that have repeatedly failed hundreds of thousands of Americans, Painkiller is based on the book Pain Killer by Barry Meier and the New Yorker Magazine article 'The Family That Built the Empire of Pain' by Patrick Radden Keefe."
The series is executive produced by Eric Newman, Pete Berg, Alex Gibney,...
The streaming service on Monday dropped the first look photos and premiere date for Painkiller.
The highly-anticipated drama touches down on Thursday, August 10.
Netflix stresses that the series is "a fictionalized retelling of events."
Painkiller "explores some of the origins and aftermath of the opioid crisis in America, highlighting the stories of the perpetrators, victims, and truth-seekers whose lives are forever altered by the invention of OxyContin."
"An examination of crime, accountability, and the systems that have repeatedly failed hundreds of thousands of Americans, Painkiller is based on the book Pain Killer by Barry Meier and the New Yorker Magazine article 'The Family That Built the Empire of Pain' by Patrick Radden Keefe."
The series is executive produced by Eric Newman, Pete Berg, Alex Gibney,...
- 5/8/2023
- by Paul Dailly
- TVfanatic
Netflix has just released an exclusive first look at the new limited series drama that’s due to hit the service later this summer. Painkiller features an all-star cast and deals with one of the many crises that currently plagues our world — the opioid epidemic. The series will feature six episodes that clock in at an hour an episode. It stars an ensemble that includes Uzo Aduba, Matthew Broderick, Taylor Kitsch, Dina Shihabi, West Duchovny, and John Rothman.
The official synopsis from Netflix reads,
“A fictionalized retelling of events, Painkiller is a scripted limited series that explores some of the origins and aftermath of the opioid crisis in America, highlighting the stories of the perpetrators, victims, and truth-seekers whose lives are forever altered by the invention of OxyContin. An examination of crime, accountability, and the systems that have repeatedly failed hundreds of thousands of Americans, Painkiller is based on the...
The official synopsis from Netflix reads,
“A fictionalized retelling of events, Painkiller is a scripted limited series that explores some of the origins and aftermath of the opioid crisis in America, highlighting the stories of the perpetrators, victims, and truth-seekers whose lives are forever altered by the invention of OxyContin. An examination of crime, accountability, and the systems that have repeatedly failed hundreds of thousands of Americans, Painkiller is based on the...
- 5/8/2023
- by EJ Tangonan
- JoBlo.com
Matthew Broderick and Uzo Aduba are teaming up in Netflix’s limited series Painkiller, which will make its debut on Thursday, Aug. 10, the streamer announced Monday.
According to the official synopsis, Painkiller is a fictionalized retelling of events “that explores some of the origins and aftermath of the opioid crisis in America, highlighting the stories of the perpetrators, victims, and truth-seekers whose lives are forever altered by the invention of OxyContin.” The series serves as “an examination of crime, accountability, and the systems that have repeatedly failed hundreds of thousands of Americans.”
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According to the official synopsis, Painkiller is a fictionalized retelling of events “that explores some of the origins and aftermath of the opioid crisis in America, highlighting the stories of the perpetrators, victims, and truth-seekers whose lives are forever altered by the invention of OxyContin.” The series serves as “an examination of crime, accountability, and the systems that have repeatedly failed hundreds of thousands of Americans.”
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- 5/8/2023
- by Claire Franken
- TVLine.com
Netflix has unveiled the first look images for “Painkiller,” a new series that explores the origins and aftermath of the opioid crisis in America through a fictional retelling of events.
The six-part limited series, which stars Uzo Aduba, Matthew Broderick, Taylor Kitsch, Dina Shihabi, John Rothman and West Duchovny, will premiere on Netflix Aug. 10.
Billed as an “examination of crime, accountability, and the systems that have repeatedly failed hundreds of thousands of Americans,” the series will spotlight stories of the perpetrators, victims, and truth-seekers whose lives are forever altered by the invention of OxyContin,” per the official logline.
Courtesy of Keri Anderson/Netflix
The scripted series is based on the book of the same name by Barry Meier as well as Patrick Radden Keefe’s article in the New Yorker Magazine titled “The Family That Built the Empire of Pain,” which exposes the Sackler Dynasty’s pivotal role in the opioid epidemic.
The six-part limited series, which stars Uzo Aduba, Matthew Broderick, Taylor Kitsch, Dina Shihabi, John Rothman and West Duchovny, will premiere on Netflix Aug. 10.
Billed as an “examination of crime, accountability, and the systems that have repeatedly failed hundreds of thousands of Americans,” the series will spotlight stories of the perpetrators, victims, and truth-seekers whose lives are forever altered by the invention of OxyContin,” per the official logline.
Courtesy of Keri Anderson/Netflix
The scripted series is based on the book of the same name by Barry Meier as well as Patrick Radden Keefe’s article in the New Yorker Magazine titled “The Family That Built the Empire of Pain,” which exposes the Sackler Dynasty’s pivotal role in the opioid epidemic.
- 5/8/2023
- by Loree Seitz
- The Wrap
Showtime has released an official trailer for Ghosts of Beirut, a four-part spy drama that revisits the true-life manhunt for the deadly Hezbollah mastermind Imad Mughniyeh, who killed more Americans than any other terrorist before 9/11 as he eluded the CIA and Mossad for over two decades.
“You push the button, and go to Paradise,” a voice-over in Arabic says at one point in the limited series trailer, as Mughniyeh, also known as the Ghost and played by Hisham Suleiman, sets up more deadly terrorist strikes.
The heart-pounding thriller comes from Fauda creators Avi Issacharoff and Lior Raz and will stream on Showtime May 19 before making its on-air debut May 21. The trailer has a pulsing score and explosive action sequences as Ghosts of Beirut spans decades and weaves in first-hand, real-life interviews with officials from the CIA and Mossad to connect the turmoil of 1980s Beirut with the spy games of the modern Middle East.
“You push the button, and go to Paradise,” a voice-over in Arabic says at one point in the limited series trailer, as Mughniyeh, also known as the Ghost and played by Hisham Suleiman, sets up more deadly terrorist strikes.
The heart-pounding thriller comes from Fauda creators Avi Issacharoff and Lior Raz and will stream on Showtime May 19 before making its on-air debut May 21. The trailer has a pulsing score and explosive action sequences as Ghosts of Beirut spans decades and weaves in first-hand, real-life interviews with officials from the CIA and Mossad to connect the turmoil of 1980s Beirut with the spy games of the modern Middle East.
- 4/19/2023
- by Etan Vlessing
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Exclusive: Two-time Emmy nominee Rebecca Sonnenshine (The Boys) is set to pen a feature adaptation of Freida McFadden’s bestselling novel The Housemaid for Lionsgate.
The psychological thriller unveiled by Grand Central Publishing last April, which has remained on the Amazon bestsellers list for almost a year, follows a struggling woman who is relieved when she gets to start fresh as a housemaid to an upscale, wealthy couple. Soon, however, she finds herself falling for the kind and attractive husband. From behind closed doors, she sees everything and soon learns that the Winchesters’ secrets are far more dangerous than her own.
Hidden Pictures’ Todd Lieberman and Alex Young will produce the film, with Carly Kleinbart overseeing the project for the company and also serving in a producorial role. Chelsea Kujawa and Erin Jones-Wesley are overseeing for Lionsgate. And it was Jason Weltman who negotiated the deal for the studio.
Sonnenshine...
The psychological thriller unveiled by Grand Central Publishing last April, which has remained on the Amazon bestsellers list for almost a year, follows a struggling woman who is relieved when she gets to start fresh as a housemaid to an upscale, wealthy couple. Soon, however, she finds herself falling for the kind and attractive husband. From behind closed doors, she sees everything and soon learns that the Winchesters’ secrets are far more dangerous than her own.
Hidden Pictures’ Todd Lieberman and Alex Young will produce the film, with Carly Kleinbart overseeing the project for the company and also serving in a producorial role. Chelsea Kujawa and Erin Jones-Wesley are overseeing for Lionsgate. And it was Jason Weltman who negotiated the deal for the studio.
Sonnenshine...
- 4/18/2023
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
A new limited series based on “the world’s most elusive terrorist” is coming to Showtime.
Based on the manhunt for military chief and founding member of the Lebanon Islamic Jihad Organization, Imad Mughniyeh, the spy series Ghosts of Beirut will premiere Sunday, May 21 at 10/9c (and make its streaming/on demand debut two days earlier, on Friday, May 19).
More from TVLineZiwe Cancelled at ShowtimeTVLine Items: Kit Harington on Industry, Love Is Blind Live Reunion and MoreTVLine Items: Pll Promotion, Fox Orders New Medical Drama and More
The series — from Fauda creators Avi Issacharoff and Lior Raz — reveals “the origins...
Based on the manhunt for military chief and founding member of the Lebanon Islamic Jihad Organization, Imad Mughniyeh, the spy series Ghosts of Beirut will premiere Sunday, May 21 at 10/9c (and make its streaming/on demand debut two days earlier, on Friday, May 19).
More from TVLineZiwe Cancelled at ShowtimeTVLine Items: Kit Harington on Industry, Love Is Blind Live Reunion and MoreTVLine Items: Pll Promotion, Fox Orders New Medical Drama and More
The series — from Fauda creators Avi Issacharoff and Lior Raz — reveals “the origins...
- 4/5/2023
- by Erianne Lewis
- TVLine.com
Here is a wrap-up of all the news you need to know from Wednesday, April 5, 2023.
The Big Door Prize has landed an early renewal at Apple TV+.
The news of the Season 2 pickup comes a week after its series premiere.
Starring an ensemble cast led by Chris O'Dowd, the 10-episode half-hour comedy is now streaming on Apple TV+, and new episodes of The Big Door Prize premiere weekly, every Wednesday.
"We are so grateful to the audiences around the world who have already embraced the weird little hopes and dreams of our Deerfield residents, and we could not be more excited about where we plan to take them in season two," said creator David West Read.
Showtime announced today it will air Ghosts of Beirut, a four-part spy drama based on one of the greatest espionage stories of modern times: the manhunt for Imad Mughniyeh, the elusive Lebanese terrorist who...
The Big Door Prize has landed an early renewal at Apple TV+.
The news of the Season 2 pickup comes a week after its series premiere.
Starring an ensemble cast led by Chris O'Dowd, the 10-episode half-hour comedy is now streaming on Apple TV+, and new episodes of The Big Door Prize premiere weekly, every Wednesday.
"We are so grateful to the audiences around the world who have already embraced the weird little hopes and dreams of our Deerfield residents, and we could not be more excited about where we plan to take them in season two," said creator David West Read.
Showtime announced today it will air Ghosts of Beirut, a four-part spy drama based on one of the greatest espionage stories of modern times: the manhunt for Imad Mughniyeh, the elusive Lebanese terrorist who...
- 4/5/2023
- by Paul Dailly
- TVfanatic
Showtime has announced its forthcoming spy drama, “Ghosts of Beirut,” will make its debut on Friday, May 19, on Showtime’s streaming site and will air on linear on May 21 at 10 p.m. Et/Pt.
The four-part limited series tells the origin story of 21-year old Mughniyeh (who is also referred to as “The Ghost”), an elusive Lebanese terrorist who evaded capture from the CIA and Mossad for two decades. He was responsible for more American deaths than any other individual prior to 9/11.
“Told from the American, Israeli and Lebanese perspectives, the series traces Mughniyeh’s origins from the Shiite slums of South Beirut to his masterminding of the concept of suicide bombers, a deadly tactic that led to his swift rise as the world’s most dangerous terrorist. Based on extensive research of still-classified events, the drama spans decades and weaves in first-hand, real-life interviews with prominent officials from the CIA and Mossad,...
The four-part limited series tells the origin story of 21-year old Mughniyeh (who is also referred to as “The Ghost”), an elusive Lebanese terrorist who evaded capture from the CIA and Mossad for two decades. He was responsible for more American deaths than any other individual prior to 9/11.
“Told from the American, Israeli and Lebanese perspectives, the series traces Mughniyeh’s origins from the Shiite slums of South Beirut to his masterminding of the concept of suicide bombers, a deadly tactic that led to his swift rise as the world’s most dangerous terrorist. Based on extensive research of still-classified events, the drama spans decades and weaves in first-hand, real-life interviews with prominent officials from the CIA and Mossad,...
- 4/5/2023
- by BreAnna Bell
- Variety Film + TV
Exclusive: Showtime has set Ghosts Of Beirut, a four-part spy drama based on the real-life espionage story of the manhunt for Imad Mughniyeh, the elusive Lebanese terrorist who outwitted his adversaries in the CIA and Mossad for over two decades. The limited series, from Fauda creators Avi Issacharoff and Lior Raz, features an international cast led by Dina Shihabi (Jack Ryan), Dermot Mulroney (My Best Friend’s Wedding), Garret Dillahunt (12 Years a Slave), Iddo Goldberg (Snowpiercer), Hisham Suleiman (Fauda), Amir Khoury (Image of Victory) and Rafi Gavron (A Star is Born).
Emmy winner Greg Barker (Manhunt: The Inside Story of the Hunt for Bin Laden), who directs all four episodes, and Daniel Dreifuss (All Quiet on the Western Front) executive produce Ghosts Of Beirut alongside Issacharoff and Raz. The series will debut on streaming and on demand May 19 for Showtime subscribers, before making its on-air debut on the network May 21.
Ghosts Of Beirut,...
Emmy winner Greg Barker (Manhunt: The Inside Story of the Hunt for Bin Laden), who directs all four episodes, and Daniel Dreifuss (All Quiet on the Western Front) executive produce Ghosts Of Beirut alongside Issacharoff and Raz. The series will debut on streaming and on demand May 19 for Showtime subscribers, before making its on-air debut on the network May 21.
Ghosts Of Beirut,...
- 4/5/2023
- by Nellie Andreeva
- Deadline Film + TV
Netflix had a big year in 2022, surpassing more than 223 million paid streaming subscribers globally, and there’s plenty on tap in 2023 to be excited about — including new seasons of “You” and “Shadow and Bone.”
However, the streamer also saw its first subscriber loss in over a decade in its second quarter in April, prompting massive budget cuts and the loss of multiple TV projects over the course of this year.
Below is a recap of the major Netflix shows canceled in 2022, from beloved series to shows that hadn’t even aired yet.
Also Read:
Netflix Stock Tumbles on Concerns About Slow Growth for Ad-Supported Tier Gentefied Gentefied Season 2. (L-r) Manuel Uriza as Ernesto, Karrie Martin as Ana, Carlos Santos as Chris in Gentefied Season 2. Cr. Courtesy of Netflix © 2021
Netflix’s first cancellation in January 2022 was “Gentefied,” a half-hour dramedy about three Mexican-American cousins chasing the American Dream in Los Angeles that ran for two seasons.
However, the streamer also saw its first subscriber loss in over a decade in its second quarter in April, prompting massive budget cuts and the loss of multiple TV projects over the course of this year.
Below is a recap of the major Netflix shows canceled in 2022, from beloved series to shows that hadn’t even aired yet.
Also Read:
Netflix Stock Tumbles on Concerns About Slow Growth for Ad-Supported Tier Gentefied Gentefied Season 2. (L-r) Manuel Uriza as Ernesto, Karrie Martin as Ana, Carlos Santos as Chris in Gentefied Season 2. Cr. Courtesy of Netflix © 2021
Netflix’s first cancellation in January 2022 was “Gentefied,” a half-hour dramedy about three Mexican-American cousins chasing the American Dream in Los Angeles that ran for two seasons.
- 12/19/2022
- by Lucas Manfredi
- The Wrap
Chicago – What links the military and football players? The uniforms, the camaraderie and a shared purpose are some examples. The new film “Mvp,” currently available through Video On Demand, explores those links and what happens when those careers get separated from the individual. Nate Boyer co-wrote, directed and is the lead actor in the film.
Rating: 3.5/5.0
“Mvp” is based on the true story in the formation of Merging Vets & Players, a nonprofit founded by Boyer and Fox Sports NFL Insider Jay Glazer, which empowers/connects combat veterans and former professional athletes. This provides both sides with a new team to assist with transition to civilian life, promote personal development and just prove that they are never alone.
Mvp
Photo credit: FilmRise
The film takes place on the streets of Hollywood and centers on the growing friendship between a struggling recently retired NFL player Will (Mo McRae) and a homeless veteran...
Rating: 3.5/5.0
“Mvp” is based on the true story in the formation of Merging Vets & Players, a nonprofit founded by Boyer and Fox Sports NFL Insider Jay Glazer, which empowers/connects combat veterans and former professional athletes. This provides both sides with a new team to assist with transition to civilian life, promote personal development and just prove that they are never alone.
Mvp
Photo credit: FilmRise
The film takes place on the streets of Hollywood and centers on the growing friendship between a struggling recently retired NFL player Will (Mo McRae) and a homeless veteran...
- 12/5/2022
- by adam@hollywoodchicago.com (Adam Fendelman)
- HollywoodChicago.com
Crafting a compelling found-footage horror story can be tricky. The format can be exhausting if not used effectively, and the scares can only land when supported by a well-crafted story. The first season of Netflix's "Archive 81" managed to stick the landing by offering a taut puzzle-box mystery that incorporated the found footage format to strong effect. Unfortunately, the horror series was rudely canceled by Netflix, which had ended on a delicious cliffhanger, leaving fans of the show (and me) fuming.
There are several reasons for the show's popularity. Firstly, the series is based on the popular horror podcast of the same name, and the narrative weaves together a thrilling tale about lost tapes, cults, mysterious disappearances, and demonic activity. At the heart of "Archive 81" is a tale of radical empathy and compassion, in which the fates of Dan (Mamoudou Athie) and Melody (Dina Shihabi) are intertwined across space and time.
There are several reasons for the show's popularity. Firstly, the series is based on the popular horror podcast of the same name, and the narrative weaves together a thrilling tale about lost tapes, cults, mysterious disappearances, and demonic activity. At the heart of "Archive 81" is a tale of radical empathy and compassion, in which the fates of Dan (Mamoudou Athie) and Melody (Dina Shihabi) are intertwined across space and time.
- 10/18/2022
- by Debopriyaa Dutta
- Slash Film
Click here to read the full article.
Nate Boyer, the Green Beret turned NFL player turned actor-director, has released the trailer for his drama Mvp.
The movie, due out in theaters in a limited release starting Sept. 14, is based on the true story of the formation of the non-profit Merging Vets & Players, founded by Boyer and Jay Glazer, which is meant to connect combat veterans and former professional athletes to assist with and provide support for the transition to civilian life.
The synopsis for Mvp reads: “The film takes place on the streets of Hollywood and centers on the growing friendship between a struggling recently retired NFL player (Mo McRae) and a homeless veteran suffering from Ptsd (Boyer). The movie reveals the common challenges faced by military veterans and professional athletes adjusting to a new life once the uniform comes off. With their ‘glory days’ behind them, the two men...
Nate Boyer, the Green Beret turned NFL player turned actor-director, has released the trailer for his drama Mvp.
The movie, due out in theaters in a limited release starting Sept. 14, is based on the true story of the formation of the non-profit Merging Vets & Players, founded by Boyer and Jay Glazer, which is meant to connect combat veterans and former professional athletes to assist with and provide support for the transition to civilian life.
The synopsis for Mvp reads: “The film takes place on the streets of Hollywood and centers on the growing friendship between a struggling recently retired NFL player (Mo McRae) and a homeless veteran suffering from Ptsd (Boyer). The movie reveals the common challenges faced by military veterans and professional athletes adjusting to a new life once the uniform comes off. With their ‘glory days’ behind them, the two men...
- 8/30/2022
- by Mia Galuppo
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
“Mvp,” the directorial debut of U.S. Army Green Beret veteran and former NFL player Nate Boyer, will premiere in theaters on Sept. 14. The film’s debut via FilmRise is accompanied by a fundraising campaign from the Gnc Live Well Foundation for Boyer’s nonprofit organization, Merging Vets & Players, after which the film is named.
Executive produced by Sylvester Stallone, “Mvp” is based on the true story of the formation of Merging Vets & Players, which Boyer co-founded with Jay Glazer with the aim of empowering and connecting combat veterans and former professional athletes, providing them with a new team to assist with transition to civilian life and promote personal development.
The film takes place on the streets of Hollywood and centers on the growing friendship between a struggling recently retired NFL player (Mo McRae) and a homeless veteran suffering from Ptsd (Boyer). With their “glory days” behind them, the two men...
Executive produced by Sylvester Stallone, “Mvp” is based on the true story of the formation of Merging Vets & Players, which Boyer co-founded with Jay Glazer with the aim of empowering and connecting combat veterans and former professional athletes, providing them with a new team to assist with transition to civilian life and promote personal development.
The film takes place on the streets of Hollywood and centers on the growing friendship between a struggling recently retired NFL player (Mo McRae) and a homeless veteran suffering from Ptsd (Boyer). With their “glory days” behind them, the two men...
- 8/18/2022
- by Selome Hailu
- Variety Film + TV
Exclusive: Erin Moriarty (The Boys), Jai Courtney (Suicide Squad), Dina Shihabi (Archive 81) and Ryan Corr (House of the Dragon) have signed on to star in Catching Dust—an upcoming Texas noir marking the feature debut of writer-director Stuart Gatt, which will enter production in the Canary Islands this month.
The drama is set in the isolation of Texas’ Big Bend, where a lone trailer on an abandoned commune has become the reluctant hideout for Geena (Moriarty), at the behest of her criminal husband, Clyde (Courtney). Geena’s lust for life and desire for interaction with the outside world are quashed by Clyde’s insistence they remain hidden from the law and his former cohorts looking to settle old scores. Exhausted by Clyde’s controlling ways, Geena decides to leave. But then a trailer arrives carrying Amaya (Shihabi) and Andy (Corr), a couple from New York seeking a respite from the city.
The drama is set in the isolation of Texas’ Big Bend, where a lone trailer on an abandoned commune has become the reluctant hideout for Geena (Moriarty), at the behest of her criminal husband, Clyde (Courtney). Geena’s lust for life and desire for interaction with the outside world are quashed by Clyde’s insistence they remain hidden from the law and his former cohorts looking to settle old scores. Exhausted by Clyde’s controlling ways, Geena decides to leave. But then a trailer arrives carrying Amaya (Shihabi) and Andy (Corr), a couple from New York seeking a respite from the city.
- 6/1/2022
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
“Archive 81” will not receive a second season on Netflix, TheWrap has learned.
The series, from creator Rebecca Sonnenshine, starred Mamoudou Athie as video archivist Dan Turner, who was restoring tapes in the present, originally shot by Melody Pendras (Dina Shihabi) in 1994 at the mysterious Visser apartment building.
In different timelines, both Dan and Melody uncover disturbing secrets about a destructive, demon-worshipping cult.
The series, which costarred Martin Donovan, Evan Jonigkeit, Julia Chan, Ariana Neal and Matt McGorry, was loosely inspired by the podcast of the same name.
Sonnenshine created the series and served as showrunner and executive producer. James Wan and Michael Clear of Atomic Monster also executive produced with Rebecca Thomas, Antoine Douaihy and Paul Harris Boardman.
The series, which debuted in January, ended on a cliffhanger that left Dan’s fate up in the air.
This was Athie’s third Netflix project after “Uncorked” and “TheGetdown.” Shihabi...
The series, from creator Rebecca Sonnenshine, starred Mamoudou Athie as video archivist Dan Turner, who was restoring tapes in the present, originally shot by Melody Pendras (Dina Shihabi) in 1994 at the mysterious Visser apartment building.
In different timelines, both Dan and Melody uncover disturbing secrets about a destructive, demon-worshipping cult.
The series, which costarred Martin Donovan, Evan Jonigkeit, Julia Chan, Ariana Neal and Matt McGorry, was loosely inspired by the podcast of the same name.
Sonnenshine created the series and served as showrunner and executive producer. James Wan and Michael Clear of Atomic Monster also executive produced with Rebecca Thomas, Antoine Douaihy and Paul Harris Boardman.
The series, which debuted in January, ended on a cliffhanger that left Dan’s fate up in the air.
This was Athie’s third Netflix project after “Uncorked” and “TheGetdown.” Shihabi...
- 3/24/2022
- by Sharon Knolle
- The Wrap
Archive 81 is officially history at Netflix: The supernatural thriller has been cancelled after one eight-episode season, TVLine has confirmed.
The axing comes just over two months after Archive 81 landed on the streamer, with its full first season dropping on Jan. 14. Its season finale — which now doubles as a series finale — averaged a reader grade of “B”; read our recap here.
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The axing comes just over two months after Archive 81 landed on the streamer, with its full first season dropping on Jan. 14. Its season finale — which now doubles as a series finale — averaged a reader grade of “B”; read our recap here.
More from TVLineBridgerton Season 2 Premiere Recap: Fate Brings Kate and Anthony Together, Then Keeps Them Apart -- Grade It!Love Is Blind Renewed for Two More Seasons; Season 3 to Air This YearBridgerton EP on That Other Season 2 Departure:...
- 3/24/2022
- by Rebecca Iannucci
- TVLine.com
Archive 81 will not be back on Netflix for another season.
According to Deadline, the streaming service has canceled the horror drama after just one season.
The series drew decent reviews and charted on both the Nielsen Streaming Chart and Netflix's own top 10.
Archive 81 followed archivist Dan Turner (Mamoudou Athie), who takes a job restoring a collection of damaged videotapes from 1994.
Reconstructing the work of a documentary filmmaker named Melody Pendras (Dina Shihabi), he is drawn into her investigation of a dangerous cult at the Visser apartment building.
As the season unfolds across these two timelines, Dan slowly finds himself obsessed with uncovering what happened to Melody.
When the two characters form a mysterious connection, Dan becomes convinced he can save her from the terrifying end she met 25 years ago.
The series is an original story loosely inspired by the popular podcast of the same name.
Archive 81 is a...
According to Deadline, the streaming service has canceled the horror drama after just one season.
The series drew decent reviews and charted on both the Nielsen Streaming Chart and Netflix's own top 10.
Archive 81 followed archivist Dan Turner (Mamoudou Athie), who takes a job restoring a collection of damaged videotapes from 1994.
Reconstructing the work of a documentary filmmaker named Melody Pendras (Dina Shihabi), he is drawn into her investigation of a dangerous cult at the Visser apartment building.
As the season unfolds across these two timelines, Dan slowly finds himself obsessed with uncovering what happened to Melody.
When the two characters form a mysterious connection, Dan becomes convinced he can save her from the terrifying end she met 25 years ago.
The series is an original story loosely inspired by the popular podcast of the same name.
Archive 81 is a...
- 3/24/2022
- by Paul Dailly
- TVfanatic
“Archive 81” has been canceled at Netflix after just one season.
The eight-episode series debuted on the streamer back in January. The show followed archivist Dan Turner (Mamoudou Athie), who takes a job restoring a collection of damaged videotapes from 1994. Reconstructing the work of a documentary filmmaker named Melody Pendras (Dina Shihabi), he is drawn into her investigation of a dangerous cult at the Visser apartment building.
The cast also included Evan Jonigkeit, Julia Chan, Ariana Neal, Matt McGorry, and Martin Donovan. The series was loosely inspired by the podcast of the same name. It was developed for television by Rebecca Sonnenshine, who also served as executive producer and showrunner. James Wan and Michael Clear of Atomic Monster also executive produced along with Rebecca Thomas, Antoine Douaihy, and Paul Harris Boardman.
Netflix has always previously said that it weighs its renewal and cancellation decisions based on a show’s viewership versus its budget,...
The eight-episode series debuted on the streamer back in January. The show followed archivist Dan Turner (Mamoudou Athie), who takes a job restoring a collection of damaged videotapes from 1994. Reconstructing the work of a documentary filmmaker named Melody Pendras (Dina Shihabi), he is drawn into her investigation of a dangerous cult at the Visser apartment building.
The cast also included Evan Jonigkeit, Julia Chan, Ariana Neal, Matt McGorry, and Martin Donovan. The series was loosely inspired by the podcast of the same name. It was developed for television by Rebecca Sonnenshine, who also served as executive producer and showrunner. James Wan and Michael Clear of Atomic Monster also executive produced along with Rebecca Thomas, Antoine Douaihy, and Paul Harris Boardman.
Netflix has always previously said that it weighs its renewal and cancellation decisions based on a show’s viewership versus its budget,...
- 3/24/2022
- by Joe Otterson
- Variety Film + TV
Exclusive: Netflix has opted not to move forward with a second season of Archive 81, Deadline has learned. The news comes two months after the the Jan. 14 debut of the horror drama starring Mamoudou Athie and Dina Shihabi.
TV Cancellations Photo Gallery: Shows Ending In 2022 & Beyond
The cancellation is somewhat surprising because Archive 81 did break into Nielsen and Netflix’s weekly Top 10 ratings for originals, and it also briefly shot to No. 1 on Netflix in the U.S. before being dethroned by the return of Ozark. With the streamer laser-focused on analyzing viewing versus cost in its renewal decisions, the number of eyeballs Archive 81 drew possibly did not meet the threshold Netflix had set for the series based on its budget.
Archive 81, based on the supernatural horror podcast and produced by James Wan’s Atomic Monster, was written and executive produced by Rebecca Sonnenshine, who made her...
TV Cancellations Photo Gallery: Shows Ending In 2022 & Beyond
The cancellation is somewhat surprising because Archive 81 did break into Nielsen and Netflix’s weekly Top 10 ratings for originals, and it also briefly shot to No. 1 on Netflix in the U.S. before being dethroned by the return of Ozark. With the streamer laser-focused on analyzing viewing versus cost in its renewal decisions, the number of eyeballs Archive 81 drew possibly did not meet the threshold Netflix had set for the series based on its budget.
Archive 81, based on the supernatural horror podcast and produced by James Wan’s Atomic Monster, was written and executive produced by Rebecca Sonnenshine, who made her...
- 3/24/2022
- by Nellie Andreeva
- Deadline Film + TV
The independently financed thriller Ph-1 starring Mark Kassen, Abubakar Salim, Dina Shihabi, Vinessa Shaw and Jesse L. Martin has wrapped production. Kassen directed the pic from a script he co-wrote with Cheryl Guerriero and Brent Cote. Kassen will also produce alongside Iliana Nikolic under his production banner Like Minded Entertainment.
The film follows a fast rising politician is trapped in a luxurious penthouse and forced to witness his life set ablaze by social and conventional media. As he fights to escape he also struggles to uncover who is determined to destroy him and why.
Salvador Alvarez co-produced it and Julian West is exec producing.
Kassen is repped by CAA. Salim is repped by CAA, Insight Management & Production, Untitled Entertainment and Jackoway Austen Tyerman Wertheimer Mandelbaum Morris Bernstein Trattner & Klein. Shihabi is repped by CAA, Management 360, and Cohen & Gardner. Shaw is repped by Buchwald, Cesd, and Hansen, Jacobson,...
The film follows a fast rising politician is trapped in a luxurious penthouse and forced to witness his life set ablaze by social and conventional media. As he fights to escape he also struggles to uncover who is determined to destroy him and why.
Salvador Alvarez co-produced it and Julian West is exec producing.
Kassen is repped by CAA. Salim is repped by CAA, Insight Management & Production, Untitled Entertainment and Jackoway Austen Tyerman Wertheimer Mandelbaum Morris Bernstein Trattner & Klein. Shihabi is repped by CAA, Management 360, and Cohen & Gardner. Shaw is repped by Buchwald, Cesd, and Hansen, Jacobson,...
- 3/22/2022
- by Justin Kroll
- Deadline Film + TV
The podcast version of “Archive 81” had to sculpt an entire world out of just dialogue, music, sound effects, and the occasional agonizing bit of silence, but the Netflix series adaptation uses its sound design as just one of the many tools with which to create its world. The TV adaptation’s sounds have the luxury of lurking beneath the strange occurrences at the Visser Apartments in the 1990s, captured first by grad student Melody Pendras (Dina Shihabi) and then decades later by archivist Dan Turner (Mamoudou Athie), as he restores her tapes. Supervising sound editor Mark Relyea talked to IndieWire about “Archive 81” and its soundscape — including spoilers for the end of the show’s first season.
The first of the show’s sonic layers is, of course, all the stuff we do see on screen, and Reylea said the goal there was to be as authentic as possible,...
The first of the show’s sonic layers is, of course, all the stuff we do see on screen, and Reylea said the goal there was to be as authentic as possible,...
- 2/18/2022
- by Sarah Shachat
- Indiewire
On this episode we have the talented Mamoudou Athie, He has a varied body of work including The Get Down, The Unicorn Store from Netflix and Amazon’s horror film Black Box. Athie also stars along side Kristen Stewart in the science fiction horror film Underwater, and will appear in Jurassic World: Dominion which debuts in theaters this year.
The actor is currently starring in the Netflix horror series Archive 81, which follows archivist Dan Turner (Athie) who takes a mysterious job restoring a collection of damaged videotapes from 1994. He finds himself reconstructing the work of documentary filmmaker Melody Pendras (Dina Shihabi) and her investigation into a dangerous cult. As Dan is drawn into Melody’s story, he becomes convinced he can save her from the terrifying end she met 25 years ago.
The story originates from a podcast of the same name launched in 2018 and ran for three seasons. It...
The actor is currently starring in the Netflix horror series Archive 81, which follows archivist Dan Turner (Athie) who takes a mysterious job restoring a collection of damaged videotapes from 1994. He finds himself reconstructing the work of documentary filmmaker Melody Pendras (Dina Shihabi) and her investigation into a dangerous cult. As Dan is drawn into Melody’s story, he becomes convinced he can save her from the terrifying end she met 25 years ago.
The story originates from a podcast of the same name launched in 2018 and ran for three seasons. It...
- 2/16/2022
- by Valerie Complex
- Deadline Film + TV
Ozark returned for the first installment of its fourth season and immediately went to No. 1 on Netflix’s weekly top 10 TV series list.
The Jason Bateman- and Laura Linney-fronted crime drama clocked 77 million hours watched on the service, despite coming in late in the week. The series dropped January 21 and topped Netflix’s top 10 English-language list for the week of January 17-23.
It comes two years after the dark drama’s third season, a delay not helped by the Covid-19 pandemic. The return of the fourth and final season, which will consist of 14 episodes, also helped the first season crack the top 10 with 25M hours clocked, presumably as new fans discover the show or old fans want to reacquaint themselves with Marty and Wendy Byrde.
Supernatural drama series Archive 81, the latest television series to be based on a podcast, came in second with 71M hours watched after...
The Jason Bateman- and Laura Linney-fronted crime drama clocked 77 million hours watched on the service, despite coming in late in the week. The series dropped January 21 and topped Netflix’s top 10 English-language list for the week of January 17-23.
It comes two years after the dark drama’s third season, a delay not helped by the Covid-19 pandemic. The return of the fourth and final season, which will consist of 14 episodes, also helped the first season crack the top 10 with 25M hours clocked, presumably as new fans discover the show or old fans want to reacquaint themselves with Marty and Wendy Byrde.
Supernatural drama series Archive 81, the latest television series to be based on a podcast, came in second with 71M hours watched after...
- 1/25/2022
- by Peter White
- Deadline Film + TV
This article contains spoilers for Archive 81.
Like all great horror stories, Netflix’s Archive 81 starts off small.
Film conservator Dan Turner (Mamoudou Athie) is approached by a mysterious corporate benefactor, Virgil Davenport (Martin Donovan) to restore some tapes from the ‘90s. Somehow this simple job escalates into a pulse-pounding supernatural mystery that incorporates a Roaring Twenties era demonic cult, mold that bends time and space, and an honest-to-goodness Lovecraftian horror.
It’s easy to see why Archive 81 has caught on with viewers. The show spent several days in the number one spot on Netflix’s “Top Ten” feature before Ozark bumped it down to two. This story, based on a podcast of the same name, slowly unspools into something properly huge. By the time Dan wakes up in the ‘90s in the final moments of season 1 to watch MTV’s Kurt Loder announce Kurt Cobain’s death,...
Like all great horror stories, Netflix’s Archive 81 starts off small.
Film conservator Dan Turner (Mamoudou Athie) is approached by a mysterious corporate benefactor, Virgil Davenport (Martin Donovan) to restore some tapes from the ‘90s. Somehow this simple job escalates into a pulse-pounding supernatural mystery that incorporates a Roaring Twenties era demonic cult, mold that bends time and space, and an honest-to-goodness Lovecraftian horror.
It’s easy to see why Archive 81 has caught on with viewers. The show spent several days in the number one spot on Netflix’s “Top Ten” feature before Ozark bumped it down to two. This story, based on a podcast of the same name, slowly unspools into something properly huge. By the time Dan wakes up in the ‘90s in the final moments of season 1 to watch MTV’s Kurt Loder announce Kurt Cobain’s death,...
- 1/25/2022
- by Alec Bojalad
- Den of Geek
‘Archive 81’ Star Dina Shihabi on That Family Secret, How Melody and Dan Could Connect in a Season 2
Spoiler Alert: Do not read if you have not yet watched the finale of Netflix’s “Archive 81.”
Melody Pendras (Dina Shihabi) spends the majority of the first season of Netflix’s “Archive 81” separated from the show’s other key characters, given that the camcorder-toting Visser resident’s story takes place in the ’90s and her work is being studied in the present day by archivist Dan Turner (Mamoudou Athie).
But in the final moments of the “Archive 81” Season 1 finale, Melody becomes a literal blast from the past, as she is dragged through a portal from The Otherworld dimension she has been trapped in for decades by cult-leader Samuel (Evan Jonigkeit) and falls out in front of her long-lost mother, Julia Bennett/Bobbi (Jacqueline Antaramian), and Dan’s best friend, Mark (Matt McGorry). Samuel suspiciously doesn’t come through with her and Dan is nowhere to be seen,...
Melody Pendras (Dina Shihabi) spends the majority of the first season of Netflix’s “Archive 81” separated from the show’s other key characters, given that the camcorder-toting Visser resident’s story takes place in the ’90s and her work is being studied in the present day by archivist Dan Turner (Mamoudou Athie).
But in the final moments of the “Archive 81” Season 1 finale, Melody becomes a literal blast from the past, as she is dragged through a portal from The Otherworld dimension she has been trapped in for decades by cult-leader Samuel (Evan Jonigkeit) and falls out in front of her long-lost mother, Julia Bennett/Bobbi (Jacqueline Antaramian), and Dan’s best friend, Mark (Matt McGorry). Samuel suspiciously doesn’t come through with her and Dan is nowhere to be seen,...
- 1/22/2022
- by Jennifer Maas
- Variety Film + TV
“The Witcher,” “Stay Close,” “Cobra Kai,” “Emily in Paris,” and “Manifest” all retained their dominion on Netflix’s English-language TV Top 10 list for the second full week of 2022, while the sixth season of makeover show “Queer Eye” fell through the cracks, leaving room for newcomers “Cheer” (Season 2) and “Archive 81” to join the ranks.
“Cheer” was No. 5 on the list with roughly 29.1 million hours viewed, and horror drama “Archive 81,” from showrunner and executive producer Rebecca Sonnenshine, landed in the seventh slot with 22.2 million hours viewed. The suspenseful series stars Dina Shihabi, Mamoudou Athie, Matt McGorry, Ariana Neal, Julia Chan, Evan Jonigkeit and Martin Donavan, and involves a deadly mystery involving a cult, arson and a disappeared director. “Stay Close,” the limited thriller series based on the Harlan Coben novel of the same name, climbed to the No. 1 spot with 53.72 million hours viewed.
On the non-English Top 10 list, the Colombian...
“Cheer” was No. 5 on the list with roughly 29.1 million hours viewed, and horror drama “Archive 81,” from showrunner and executive producer Rebecca Sonnenshine, landed in the seventh slot with 22.2 million hours viewed. The suspenseful series stars Dina Shihabi, Mamoudou Athie, Matt McGorry, Ariana Neal, Julia Chan, Evan Jonigkeit and Martin Donavan, and involves a deadly mystery involving a cult, arson and a disappeared director. “Stay Close,” the limited thriller series based on the Harlan Coben novel of the same name, climbed to the No. 1 spot with 53.72 million hours viewed.
On the non-English Top 10 list, the Colombian...
- 1/18/2022
- by Mónica Marie Zorrilla
- Variety Film + TV
Spoiler Alert: Do not read if you have not yet watched the finale of Netflix’s “Archive 81.”
After eight episodes of slowly unraveling its cult-centric mysteries and building up its mold-laced mythology, Netflix’s “Archive 81” concluded its first season with a twist that flipped the tape over for a potential second season: Dan Turner (Mamoudou Athie) crossed into The Otherworld controlled by the demon/god Kaelego to rescue Melody Pendras (Dina Shihabi). On their way out, Dan was shoved back into the post-Visser-apartment-building-fire timeline in 1994 New York City, while Melody was dragged by cult-leader Samuel (Evan Jonigkeit) through the present-day door Dan had entered.
And yes, Dan really has been blasted into the past, and is not trapped in The Otherworld being fooled with another one of Kaelego’s close-enough-to-reality fantasies, according to “Archive 81” showrunner Rebecca Sonnenshine.
“I can tell you that he is in the ’90s,...
After eight episodes of slowly unraveling its cult-centric mysteries and building up its mold-laced mythology, Netflix’s “Archive 81” concluded its first season with a twist that flipped the tape over for a potential second season: Dan Turner (Mamoudou Athie) crossed into The Otherworld controlled by the demon/god Kaelego to rescue Melody Pendras (Dina Shihabi). On their way out, Dan was shoved back into the post-Visser-apartment-building-fire timeline in 1994 New York City, while Melody was dragged by cult-leader Samuel (Evan Jonigkeit) through the present-day door Dan had entered.
And yes, Dan really has been blasted into the past, and is not trapped in The Otherworld being fooled with another one of Kaelego’s close-enough-to-reality fantasies, according to “Archive 81” showrunner Rebecca Sonnenshine.
“I can tell you that he is in the ’90s,...
- 1/15/2022
- by Jennifer Maas
- Variety Film + TV
In a landscape filled with projects of portentous self-seriousness, perhaps there’s something refreshing about a project that stands proudly in its willingness to simply attempt to be deliriously, dizzily nuts.
So it is with “Archive 81,” a new “found-footage” horror series on Netflix executive produced by “The Boys” and “The Vampire Diaries” vet Rebecca Sonnenshine and by horror impresario James Wan. Like Wan’s 2021 horror film “Malignant,” “Archive 81” has a powerful belief in its ability to entertain that — at times — has the power to push back inconsistencies and inanities. More frequently, though, audiences will likely be left cold and a little bored by a series that finds little to say amidst its endless ante-upping.
To find something positive amidst much dross — Mamoudou Athie and Dina Shihabi make for able horror leads in this series. Athie plays an archivist hired to pore through a passel of damaged videotapes from...
So it is with “Archive 81,” a new “found-footage” horror series on Netflix executive produced by “The Boys” and “The Vampire Diaries” vet Rebecca Sonnenshine and by horror impresario James Wan. Like Wan’s 2021 horror film “Malignant,” “Archive 81” has a powerful belief in its ability to entertain that — at times — has the power to push back inconsistencies and inanities. More frequently, though, audiences will likely be left cold and a little bored by a series that finds little to say amidst its endless ante-upping.
To find something positive amidst much dross — Mamoudou Athie and Dina Shihabi make for able horror leads in this series. Athie plays an archivist hired to pore through a passel of damaged videotapes from...
- 1/11/2022
- by Daniel D'Addario
- Variety Film + TV
Exclusive: The NFL has teamed up with United States Army Green Beret Nate Boyer to promote Boyer’s feature directorial debut Mvp, in addition to the non-profit on which the film is based.
The film dramatizes the formation of Merging Vets & Players (Mvp), a non-profit created by Boyer and Fox Sports NFL Insider Jay Glazer. Boyer also stars in the film, alongside Tom Arnold, Jarrod Bunch, Rich Eisen, Jay Glazer, Talia Jackson, Vietnam Veteran Dan Lauria, Mo McRae, Christina Ochoa and Dina Shihabi. Hall of Fame athletes Randy Couture, Tony Gonzalez, Howie Long and Michael Strahan all cameo as themselves. Balboa Production partners Sylvester Stallone and Braden Aftergood Executive Produce alongside J. Craig, Jay Glazer, Mo McRae, Joe Newcomb and Shanna and Rob Schanen. WME Independent is currently handling worldwide sales for the film, which is active in the marketplace.
Merging Vets & Players was founded in 2015 as a non-profit that...
The film dramatizes the formation of Merging Vets & Players (Mvp), a non-profit created by Boyer and Fox Sports NFL Insider Jay Glazer. Boyer also stars in the film, alongside Tom Arnold, Jarrod Bunch, Rich Eisen, Jay Glazer, Talia Jackson, Vietnam Veteran Dan Lauria, Mo McRae, Christina Ochoa and Dina Shihabi. Hall of Fame athletes Randy Couture, Tony Gonzalez, Howie Long and Michael Strahan all cameo as themselves. Balboa Production partners Sylvester Stallone and Braden Aftergood Executive Produce alongside J. Craig, Jay Glazer, Mo McRae, Joe Newcomb and Shanna and Rob Schanen. WME Independent is currently handling worldwide sales for the film, which is active in the marketplace.
Merging Vets & Players was founded in 2015 as a non-profit that...
- 1/5/2022
- by Justin Kroll
- Deadline Film + TV
When it comes to living in New York City, few things are as scary as real estate. But in Netflix’s “Archive 81,” premiering January 14 on the streamer, it’s not the rent or the rodents that terrify. It’s “pioneers of the imagination,” according to the trailer.
At least, that’s the impression given in the series’ first trailer. Based on the three-season podcast of the same name, the upcoming horror thriller finds a video archivist Dan (Mamoudou Athie) attempting to restore VHS tapes damaged in a fire. And as everyone from “The Ring” to “V/H/S/” knows, there’s nothing more frightening than what lies on analog.
Sure enough, Dan is able to restore some tapes just enough to become enmeshed in documentarian Melody’s 1994 exploration of a NYC apartment building, where some very strange things are happening, including mask-wearing, modern dance, and some very scary tenant meetings. Not...
At least, that’s the impression given in the series’ first trailer. Based on the three-season podcast of the same name, the upcoming horror thriller finds a video archivist Dan (Mamoudou Athie) attempting to restore VHS tapes damaged in a fire. And as everyone from “The Ring” to “V/H/S/” knows, there’s nothing more frightening than what lies on analog.
Sure enough, Dan is able to restore some tapes just enough to become enmeshed in documentarian Melody’s 1994 exploration of a NYC apartment building, where some very strange things are happening, including mask-wearing, modern dance, and some very scary tenant meetings. Not...
- 1/5/2022
- by Mark Peikert
- Indiewire
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