Watch The Big Lie: American Addict 2

The Big Lie: American Addict 2 is a documentary film from 2016 that delves deep into the current state of the American healthcare industry and its shadowy connections to the pharmaceutical industry. Directed by Sasha Knezev, the film stars Jonathan Davis and features interviews with political figures like Dennis Kucinich. The movie starts with an alarming statistic: a shocking number of Americans die every year from preventable incidents related to prescription drugs. Overdoses, adverse reactions to medication, and other complications are causing more deaths than car accidents in the United States. The documentary traces the root causes of this epidemic to the profit-driven motivations of the pharmaceutical industry and the failure of regulators to protect the public from dangerous medications.

As the movie progresses, it brings in a wide range of perspectives from experts, doctors, and patients. It delves into the history of the pharmaceutical industry, exploring how companies like Purdue Pharma, makers of OxyContin, profited immensely from the explosion of prescription painkillers in the 1990s. The film paints a picture of an industry that has long prioritized profits over patient well-being, exploiting regulatory loopholes and playing fast and loose with the truth when it comes to the safety of their products.

The Big Lie: American Addict 2 isn't just a series of talking heads, however. The film takes viewers on a journey through the various aspects of the healthcare industry, from the prescription of pills to the addiction treatment centers that are often funded by the pharmaceutical companies themselves. It looks at how the medical community played a role in this crisis, relying heavily on opioid painkillers to treat patients' chronic pain while downplaying the risks of addiction and overdose.

One of the most striking aspects of the movie is its focus on the patients themselves. The documentary includes interviews with people from all walks of life who have been impacted by the prescription drug epidemic. Some are individuals who became addicted to painkillers after an injury or surgery, while others are family members who lost loved ones to overdose. These stories provide a powerful illustration of the human cost of the opioid crisis and make it clear that this is not just a problem for politicians or pharmaceutical executives to solve.

Though the movie covers some heavy subject matter, it is not without hope. The final section of the film looks at efforts to address the opioid crisis, from harm reduction measures like needle exchanges and overdose prevention drugs to legislative action aimed at regulating the industry and holding companies accountable for their actions. The documentary argues that real change can only come from a combination of individual action and systemic reform.

Overall, The Big Lie: American Addict 2 is a powerful and thought-provoking documentary that sheds light on a pressing issue in American society. With its combination of hard-hitting statistics, personal stories, and expert analysis, it offers a comprehensive look at the opioid crisis and the role played by the healthcare industry. It is a must-watch for anyone interested in the intersection of healthcare, politics, and ethics in America.

The Big Lie: American Addict 2 is a 2016 documentary with a runtime of 1 hour and 33 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.4.