• News
  • Film and TV
  • Music
  • Tech
  • Features
  • Celebrity
  • Politics
  • Weird
  • Community
  • Advertise
  • Terms
  • Privacy & Cookies
  • LADbible Group
  • LADbible
  • SPORTbible
  • GAMINGbible
  • Tyla
  • UNILAD Tech
  • FOODbible
  • License Our Content
  • About Us & Contact
  • Jobs
  • Latest
  • Topics A-Z
  • Authors
Facebook
Instagram
X
Threads
TikTok
YouTube
Submit Your Content
‘Gritty’ Netflix true story with Chris Evans and Emily Blunt is being compared to Wolf of Wall Street

Home> Film & TV> Netflix

Published 15:40 18 Jul 2024 GMT+1

‘Gritty’ Netflix true story with Chris Evans and Emily Blunt is being compared to Wolf of Wall Street

The film is based on a true story

Michael Slavin

Michael Slavin

Every film wants to be compared to a Martin Scorsese film at the end of the day.

Every time Netflix execs release a movie, they are probably somewhere in a bunker simply praying that some unwitting critic will say each new film is ‘like Taxi Driver’ or is somehow ‘Inception meets Goodfellas’.

In the case of one film starring Chris Evans and Emily Blunt though, that’s exactly what Netflix got – with what felt like every second review mentioning how it was just like Wolf of Wall Street.

Advert

What a film to be compared to.
Paramount Pictures.

Just like Wolf of Wall Street, it is a true story, just like Wolf of Wall Street, it focuses heavily on drugs, and just like Wolf of Wall Street it is involves a high profile corporate conspiracy full of crime.

Add to that an R Rating, a stellar cast, a rags to riches story, and fans raving over it – and you can easily see where the lines were drawn.

See the trailer and have a gander for yourself as to whether you back the comparisons.

Pain Hustlers was released last year, with Evans and Blunt being joined in the cast by Catherine O’Hara, Andy Garcia, and Brian d’Arcy James.

Advert

Directed by Harry Potter veteran David Yates, the film follows Liza Drake (played by Blunt), a woman who looks to improve her life by climbing the ladder of a bankrupt pharmaceutical company.

As her life improves, she finds herself in the midst of an ongoing conspiracy at the company.

Based on a true story, Blunt and Evans both received plaudits for their acting in the ‘gritty’ retelling of the bonkers real-life tale.

Under a post in the Facebook group Netflix Bangers, one fan commented: “Absolutely loved it, reminded me of Wolf of Wall Street but from a Pharma angle.”

Advert

Evans and Blunt star in the film. (Netflix)
Evans and Blunt star in the film. (Netflix)

Another commented: “I found the movie to be quite interesting, as well as a decent portrayal of the pharmaceutical industry.

“It's a business, and the only interest is in having more money, and spending more, no matter the consequences for people's lives.

"| trust this movie will open other's people minds to the importance of knowledge in any field, especially when it comes to our health.”

Advert

Amy Nicholson of the New York Times gave the film a positive review saying: “The movie is constrained by its own conscience, thriving when Evans’s marvelously feral Pete is unleashed to dress like a Lonafen spray and rap about sales commissions, only to pivot apologetically from corporate bacchanals to suffering victims.”

Blunt and Evans received plaudits for the film. (Netflix)
Blunt and Evans received plaudits for the film. (Netflix)

Kevin Maher of The Times (the British one), said: “Blunt is on fire, co-star Chris Evans is serviceable, and Andy Garcia is a hoot as the imperious, eccentric, billionaire boss.”

Rex Reed of The Observer said: “A real-life story with social issues about capitalism that is entertaining and funny while it makes you think, without being too earnest and serious.”

Advert

For fans of Wolf of Wall Street (aka most of us), here’s your weekend watch sorted.

Featured Image Credit: Netflix

Topics: Netflix, Chris Evans, Emily Blunt, Film and TV

Michael Slavin
Michael Slavin

Michael Slavin is a Film and TV writer for UNILAD and LADbible. After completing an English Literature with Creative Writing degree at Surrey University, followed by a Masters in International Journalism at Salford University, he began working for the Warrington Guardian as a reporter. Throughout this though, he did freelance work about Film and TV for publications such as DiscussingFilm, looking for any excuse to get to rant about films. He has now finally got that wish.

X

@MichaelSlavin98

Advert

Advert

Advert

  • Chris Evans' real accent 'slipped out' during interview leaving people stunned
  • One of the most watched films on Netflix is ‘harrowing’ true story leaving fans wondering how it didn’t win an Oscar
  • Shocking true story behind woman's 'evil' plan to poison her best friend in hit Netflix series
  • Chris Evans confirms marriage to actress Alba Baptista amid wedding rumors

Choose your content:

6 hours ago
14 hours ago
16 hours ago
  • 6 hours ago

    Netflix subscribers are binge-watching twisty thriller mini series all in one night

    The cast's performances have been highly praised

    Film & TV
  • 14 hours ago

    Apple TV's 'excellent' new film was shot entirely on iPhone and is available to stream for free online

    British musician Stormzy stars in the new Apple TV short film

    Film & TV
  • 14 hours ago

    Antiques Roadshow guest had items worth $26,000 that were so offensive they couldn’t be broadcast

    Robert Needs went along to Antiques Roadshow filming in Cardiff for a valuation on clothing items

    Film & TV
  • 16 hours ago

    New ’10/10’ crime series has Netflix viewers so hooked they’re watching it all in one night

    Created by Kevin Williamson, the new eight-episode crime series dropped on Netflix last week

    Film & TV