10 Most Compelling Gang Documentaries You Need to See

#10: “High on Crack Street: Lost Lives in Lowell” (1995)

“High on Crack Street: Lost Lives in Lowell'' shows the harsh reality of what happens when a town is essentially abandoned by the businesses that built it. The film focuses on three citizens – Brenda, Dicky, and Boo-Boo – and their struggles with crack addiction. They’re interviewed as they go about their days, even getting high on camera several times. The realities of the disease are shown candidly, and the subjects grapple with having to give up their dreams and losing their bonds with their families. It also displays the cyclical pattern of substance use disorder. While it is dark, there is a happy ending – Lowell’s crime rate has decreased significantly since then, and the people living there have been given a new lease on life.

#9: “HairKutt” (2005)

Detoxing from something as strong as heroin is known to potentially have extreme symptoms, ranging from a quickened pulse to muscle spasms. “HairKutt” is centered around one man attempting to go cold turkey in real time, while his friends support him through it. It’s an inspirational story as well, as it’s clear he genuinely wants to turn his life around for his daughter. From footage of the man writhing in pain to clips of his friends begging him to take meds, it paints a picture of what detoxification looks like. The most interesting aspect is that the audience doesn’t know what happened after the cameras cut, and if he was able to heal. The movie was praised for its realistic portrayal of withdrawal and showcasing true friendship.

#8: “The Pharmacist” (2020)

What started as a murder mystery ended up revealing something even darker. “The Pharmacist” was originally a series about pharmacist Dan Schneider trying to avenge his son, but spiraled into him attempting to take down Big Pharma. The series shows his investigation and conversations he recorded as proof. The result was staggering – one doctor had prescribed over 180,000 of the painkillers across several pharmacies. While Purdue – one of the pharmaceutical companies involved – had already been embroiled in lawsuits, the show shined an even brighter light onto their crimes. Schneider’s pure determination to help both his son and others like him is extremely admirable and the series was met with immense praise.

#7: “Bigger, Stronger, Faster*” (2008)

“Bigger, Stronger, Faster*” sheds light on the use of anabolic steroids in athletics. It focuses on two brothers who both used steroids to help aid their wrestling careers. Unfortunately, this caused one to spiral even further into mental illness. It also features interviews from a variety of people, from athletes to members of Congress. Many who had taken the enhancers admitted to having felt influenced by toxic standards for men to be as big and strong as possible. Besides exposing the realities of steroid use, it also questions other industries’ allowance of performance-enhancing procedures. The result is a fact-driven piece that should impact gym goers everywhere.

#6: “Cocaine Cowboys” (2006)

The drug war in Miami was an intense scene in the 1970s and 80s, with one man at the helm: Jon Roberts. 2006’s “Cocaine Cowboys” is all about his work in the illegal market, and how he was able to smuggle cocaine and weed without being noticed. The documentary is notable for showing the complexities of the situation. While it didn’t downplay the severe violence that took place during the conflict, it also pointed out that the corrupt activities caused Miami’s economy to flourish. While no amount of money makes the actions excusable, the added nuance adds to the overall credibility. It garnered so much success that a sequel was made, along with another docuseries that was released in 2021.

#5: “The House I Live In” (2012)

“The House I Live In” goes into the impacts the War on Drugs had – and still has – on society as a whole. Past “tough on crime” policies ended up starting a wave of over-policing in the United States, which led to a large influx of prisoners. It focuses on the more insidious factors, from targeting minority communities to exposing how much the government profited. It also questions why addiction is seen through a lens of criminal justice, rather than healthcare. The film persuasively argues that despite the government’s efforts and constant policing, the substances still aren’t going away. It offers a new perspective on the situation, and helps open people’s eyes to the realities of the prison system.

#4: “Jacinta” (2020)

“Jacinta” explores the effects of intergenerational trauma and how breaking the cycle of addiction can be one of the most freeing experiences possible. Filmed across three years, it follows the subject from prison to her own sobriety. By focusing on her childhood, the audience can see how her relationship with her mother caused her to be sucked into a less than savory life. It also shows her very real struggles with trying to overcome her issues, while still being there for her daughter. There’s even footage of Jacinta and her mother in prison together, maintaining a strong bond despite everything. It’s an absolutely fascinating film that shows some of the deeper complexities of trauma and how it can affect your whole life.

#3: “The Crime of the Century” (2021)

Every industry is capable of being corrupted – even healthcare. This two-part documentary shows how large corporations used their power to convince doctors across the country to prescribe powerful opioids. The first part focuses on the over-prescribing of OxyContin, exposing how Purdue worked with individuals in the FDA to get it approved for mass use. Part two is somehow even darker. It’s about how Insys Therapeutics essentially paid medical professionals to prescribe fentanyl and how lawmakers looked the other way. Given how addictive and deadly that drug is, this was a shocking revelation. While both corporations are now bankrupt, the effects that they’ve had in the medical field and on people’s health cannot be overstated.

#2: “Recovery Boys” (2018)

Recovery is a journey that looks different for everyone. Netflix’s “Recovery Boys” allows for a personal look into the lives of four men and how they each struggle to recover while in rehab. They each come from different backgrounds and have had wildly different experiences, which showcases how the disease is unique to each person. The men are on an 18-month long farm-based retreat, where they connect with one another and unpack the events in their lives that led to this. They also touch on some of the smaller perks of being sober, such as being able to appreciate nature. Despite their mistakes, there is one main message to take from the project – that those struggling with drug dependency aren’t inherently bad people.

Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions.

“Dr. Feelgood: Dealer or Healer?” (2016)
The Tale of an Infamous Doctor Who Was Jailed for Prescribing Narcotics

“DMT: The Spirit Molecule” (2010)
Joe Rogan Narrates This Doc About the Spiritual Effects of DMT

“Kings of Cannabis” (2013)
Vice Gives a Firsthand Look at One of the Most Prolific Marijuana Growers

“The Legend of Cocaine Island” (2019)
The True Tale of One Man’s Search for a Lost $2M Pack of Cocaine

#1: “Heroin(e)” (2017)

“Heroine(e)” showcases the efforts of those who try to combat the opioid crisis in their state. It primarily focuses on three women in three different occupations, who see and work with different phases of addiction. It also shows the realities of overdoses and the effects that they have on first responders and the town as a whole. The film offers an extremely realistic, yet optimistic look into the human condition. The compassion shown by the community to help those in need is uplifting, despite the difficulties encountered. It proves that the issue is best treated with empathy, rather than judgment. The film won a Primetime Emmy Award and was even nominated for “Best Documentary Short” at the Academy Awards.

What drug-themed documentary did you find the most shocking? Let us know in the comments below!