Painkillers

Painkillers is a 2018 horror/sci-fi film directed by Roxy Shih and written by Giles Daoust. The movie stars Madeline Zima, Mischa Barton, and Debra Wilson as the lead cast. The plot of the movie revolves around a group of military surgeons who are sent on a mission to save a pilot who has been shot down in a war zone. However, things take a wild turn when they discover that the pilot has been injected with a serum that allows him to heal at a superhuman rate.

The film opens with a group of military surgeons, including John (Adam Huss) and Everett (Grant Bowler), preparing for a mission in a war zone. Their mission is to rescue a downed pilot, Captain Walker (Tate Birchmore), who is suffering from life-threatening injuries. Meanwhile, John's wife, Alice (Madeline Zima), is pregnant and struggling with the absence of her husband. Going through a difficult pregnancy, Alice is haunted by visions of her husband's death on the battlefield.

Once the team arrives in the war zone, they find Captain Walker and attempt to evacuate him. However, they soon discover that Walker has been injected with a mysterious serum that allows him to heal at a superhuman rate. As they race back to their compound, they realize that the serum has unforeseen side effects and that Walker is not the only one affected. The doctors are plunged into a mind-bending nightmare filled with intense hallucinations, dangerous mutations, and unrelenting terror as their own pasts come back to haunt them.

As the surgeons begin to experience strange symptoms, they realize that they are being tormented by their deepest fears and regrets. They must fight to survive each other and themselves as all sense of reality is distorted by the serum's unpredictable effects.

Madeline Zima delivers a standout performance as Alice, infusing her character with vulnerability, strength, and fierce determination. Mischa Barton is also notable as surgeon Vanessa, who struggles to keep her own demons at bay while trying to keep her team alive. Debra Wilson provides comic relief with her portrayal of the snarky and no-nonsense Sergeant Mitchell.

The film's special effects are impressive, and its eerie soundscape heightens the tension and terror. The narrative is well-paced, and the third act provides a satisfying, pulse-pounding climax.

Overall, Painkillers is a thrilling and visually dazzling horror/sci-fi hybrid that explores the dangers of playing God and the consequences of confronting one's darkest fears. It's a must-watch for fans of the genre and those looking for a nail-biting and thought-provoking ride.