CRISIS (2021)

Three stories about the world of opioids collide: a drug trafficker arranges a multi-cartel Fentanyl smuggling operation between Canada and the U.S., an architect recovering from an OxyContin addiction tracks down the truth behind her son’s involvement with narcotics, and a university professor battles unexpected revelations about his research employer, a drug company with deep government influence bringing a new “non-addictive” painkiller to market.

CRISIS is a bit of a mess. It tries to pack three stories into its running time, but each story could be its own movie given the issues that each one tries to deal with. The opening act is very disjointed, chopping between the three stories in such a hurry that it becomes confusing for a while. The acting is below par with Evangeline Lilly (TV series LOST) putting in the best performance with her representation of grief as her son’s story unfolds. Everything else is pretty cliched and predictable and sometimes strains credulity. While the opioid crisis in America is real, CRISIS doesn’t rise to the same level of significance.

(In cinemas in Australia – check your movie guide for your local show times.)