The story of Glen Kryger in the Netflix series „Painkiller“ is tragic. Because it should have ended differently! But, did Glen Kryger really exist?
Did Glen Kryger (from Painkiller) really exist? Was he a real / real person? Netflix, Explanation
„Glen Kryger is a fictional character. He is not based on any real person. „Glen Kryger“ is played by Taylor Kitsch. „Glen Kryger“ is not based on any real person, but he is a symbol. He is representative of how drug addiction can ruin a family’s life and a person’s life. He is representative of the hard-working, middle-class Americans whose lives have been destroyed by pills.
The story of „Glen Kryger“ is tragic. Without knowing it, he is given addictive painkillers. Small doses are enough at first, and soon he needs more and more.
But „Glen Kryger“ in his own perception is not a drug addict, but a person who is in pain and who needs help. So Glen Kryger slips deeper and deeper into addiction. He loses his family, sells his wedding ring, and gets mugged. He hits rock bottom and now wants to get clean.
One wishes for him to get off the pills and get clean. But the makers of the series do not concede this to the viewers. They show the reality. A reality like it ended for many US-Americans. Because the pills are stronger than willpower.
Glen Kryger (Painkiller): More facts, info
The character of „Glen Kryger“ puts a face on the opioid crisis. He becomes addicted to painkillers and involuntarily slips into drug addiction. This is what happened to many US Americans who actually just wanted to be freed from their pain and whose lives were destroyed.
The series „Painkiller“ is based on the book „Pain Killer: An Empire of Deceit and the Origin of America’s Opioid Epidemic“ by Barry Meier.