Netflix fans have hailed a new ‘must-see’ movie which they have compared to the Wolf of Wall Street.
Crime drama Pain Hustlers launched on the streaming site on Friday and stars Emily Blunt and Chris Evans.
The gripping film held the number one slot on Sunday, as fans have rushed to compare it to Wall Street – but with female characters taking centre stage instead.
Blunt plays Liza, a single mother and high school dropout who dreams for a better life for her daughter.
She ultimately lands a job at a pharmaceutical start-up company in Central Florida that completely turns her life upside down with the legal fallout that occurs after her rise to success.
Fans rushed to X, formerly known as Twitter, to recommend the film and compare it to the 2013 crime film starring Leonardo Di Caprio and Margot Robbie.
One said: ‘Just watched Pain Hustlers on Netflix. I liked it. Reminded me of Wolf of Wallstreet, just big pharma instead. Emily Blunt was so good. Love a Catherine O’Hara cameo.’
Another added: ‘Watching Pain Hustlers on Netflix, it’s giving Wolf of Wall St. type vibes but with Women leading.’
A third also made the comparison: ‘Stop whatever you’re doing and go watch Pain hustlers on Netflix. It’s like a slightly saner version of wolf of wall street.’
While another rated it ’10/10′ and someone else said: ‘Pain Hustlers on Netflix is just Wolf of Wall St but with Emily Blunt and pharma meds.’
The trailer begins showing the dire financial circumstances Liza and her daughter are faced with before things change in their favor.
Liza is hired to work sales at a pharmaceutical start-up by Chris Evans’ character Pete, begins earning six figures, and enjoys massive success.
But it all catches up to them, as the FBI is seen crashing the party.
The trailer begins with Liza moving into a roadside motel with her daughter, eating Ramen noodles and other junk food, and depressingly watching her car getting towed.
She vows to improve her life and persuades Pete to hire her: ‘Give me a shot, please,’ she whispers, before he ultimately agrees. ‘Don’t embarrass me,’ he replies.
Soon after she learns just how life-changing the job can be.
The film is based on the 2022 book of the same name by Evan Hughes.
The book was an expansion of Hughes’ 2018 New York Times Magazine article dubbed The Pain Hustlers, which delved into the pharmaceutical company Insys and its shady business practices.
While the film is seemingly inspired by the real Insys company, the characters appear to be totally fictional.
The film also stars Catherine O’Hara, Jay Duplass and Chloe Coleman, based on a book by Evan Hughes, with Wells Tower writing the screenplay adaptation.
Blunt is coming off the box office critical smash Oppenheimer and she’ll next be seen in The Fall Guy and Imaginary Friends.
James Parker is a UK-based entertainment aficionado who delves into the glitz and glamour of the entertainment industry. From Hollywood to the West End, he offers readers an insider’s perspective on the world of movies, music, and pop culture.
