The opioid crisis is examined from three angles in this series:
1. The execs at Purdue who manufactured and sold the drug (with Michael Stuhlbarg playing an especially callous Richard Sackler).
2. The federal agents charged with bringing them to account (including Peter Sarsgaard and Rosario Dawson).
3. The residents of a Virginia mining community who suffer the effects (including Michael Keaton turning in a strong performance as the town doc).
Speaking of actors, the large cast is loaded with compelling portrayals. Since this is such a complex issue and the case unfolded over years of setbacks, there’s lots of frustration for the viewer, not only because of the subject, but because the story sometimes repeats itself and moves slowly. Overall, attempting to encompass the massive controversy like this is a weighty task and this series manages to tell the story with effective outrage. Since it was shot in Virginia (and lots in Richmond) it’s fun to look for familiar locales. (8 one-hour episodes) 
(4 / 5)
