Pain Hustlers: Crime and Punishment at an Opioid Startup by Evan Hughes episode artwork

EPISODE · Nov 10, 2025 · 43 MIN

Pain Hustlers: Crime and Punishment at an Opioid Startup by Evan Hughes

from Offscript · host Offscript

Welcome to Offscript, the podcast where literature meets cinema. Each week, hosts Bri & Alli compare books to their movie adaptations — exploring what worked, what didn’t, and whether the book really was better than the movie. From timeless classics to today’s bestsellers, we break down characters, themes, and the creative choices that shape stories on page and screen.  🎬 This Week on Offscript: Pain Hustlers This week, Bri & Alli dive into the world of Pain Hustlers, comparing Evan Hughes’ 2022 nonfiction book The Hard Sell: Crime and Punishment at an Opioid Startup to David Yates’ 2023 Netflix film adaptation Pain Hustlers, starring Emily Blunt and Chris Evans. Join us as we explore: How the real-life investigative journalism translates to a cinematic true-crime drama What was changed, condensed, or dramatized in the adaptation process Story Summary: A struggling single mother takes a job at a failing pharmaceutical startup—only to find herself entangled in a criminal conspiracy that fuels the opioid epidemic. Book: The Hard Sell by Evan Hughes Film: Pain Hustlers (2023), directed by David Yates Screenplay: Wells Tower  💔 Coming Up Next: Spoiler Alert Next week, we’re breaking down Spoiler Alert, the heartfelt adaptation of Michael Ausiello’s memoir Spoiler Alert: The Hero Dies. Read along before the episode drops and join the conversation!  ✨ Subscribe & Listen Subscribe to Offscript: The Book vs. Movie Podcast on your favorite platform — Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or YouTube — for weekly deep dives into your favorite books-to-movies adaptations. Whether you’re a film lover, avid reader, or both, Offscript is your go-to podcast for thoughtful discussions where literature meets film.  A huge thank you to our sponsor – CAVE, be sure to check out their website here!  Check out our website here! Follow us on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ & ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠!  Props to Ashen for our adorable artwork, Adam Daniel for our awesome theme song, and Brianna Daniel, LLC for producing our podcast!  Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/offscript/exclusive-content

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Pain Hustlers: Crime and Punishment at an Opioid Startup by Evan Hughes

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