Common Sense Media Review
By Matt Cabral
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Drug epidemic drama has language, mature subject matter.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 15+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Dopesick
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
Based on the nonfiction book Dopesick: Dealers, Doctors and the Drug Company that Addicted America by Beth Macy, DOPESICK is a deep dive into the OxyContin epidemic. It tells its story from a number of perspectives, including some fictional characters, like a small-town doctor (Michael Keaton) and his addicted patient (Kaitlyn Dever), as well as a drug sales rep (Will Poulter). Some real-life players, such as Richard Sackler (Michael Stuhlbarg), the head of the wealthy family company Purdue Pharma -- that created OxyContin -- also have prominent roles. Much of the narrative is explored through the work of real-life U.S. attorney Rick Mountcastle (Peter Sarsgaard) and a fictional DEA agent (Rosario Dawson) who both work tirelessly to bring the Sacklers to justice.
Is It Any Good?
If you're craving a fun, lighthearted binge, this deep, layered look into America's opioid crisis certainly isn't it. While Dopesick isn't an easy watch, though, it's a wholly engrossing one you'll be compelled to stick with from start to finish.
It helps that the heavy subject matter isn't hoisted upon a single character or storyline, but rather spread across a number of narrative perspectives. An absolutely stellar cast digs into every angle of the epidemic, from OxyContin's ground zero victim and the doctor who's willingly entwined in her struggle to the crusading, do-gooding attorneys and the evil big pharma family they're trying to take down. The series' timeline can get a bit jumbled, as it hops from 1986 to 2005 -- with plenty of stops in the intervening years -- to cover everything from the drug's creation to the ultimate judgment of its makers. But if you can keep up with its constantly moving calendar, and are prepared for some very serious, often sad drama, Dopesick is a must-watch that's worth the tears.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about series based on true stories. Do you find fact-based shows more or less interesting? What sort of liberties do these series take with the subject matter to make them more entertaining?
What perspectives do the series' various characters represent? Who would you consider to be the heroes? Who are the villains in the story?
Does the series feel educational? Did it teach you anything you didn't already know? Is it more fun to learn about a serious subject through a TV series?
TV Details
- Premiere date : October 13, 2021
- Cast : Michael Keaton , Peter Sarsgaard , Rosario Dawson , Michael Stuhlbarg , Kaitlyn Dever
- Network : Hulu
- Genre : Drama
- Topics : Book Characters , History
- Character Strengths : Communication , Compassion , Empathy , Perseverance , Teamwork
- TV rating :
- Last updated : September 29, 2025
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