Filmmaker Doug Bremner’s DWF LA 2026 drama “The Goose That Laid The Golden Egg” follows a devoted scientist, a desperate mother, and the do-gooder lawyers who join forces to fight for the families of children who committed suicide while taking an acne medication. But Big Pharma won’t let their billion-dollar product go down that easily. They use every dirty tactic in the book to stop them.

Dr. Jack Forteo agrees to run a study to examine the potentially deadly effects of a popular drug. Thinking they can use their power, influence, and money to demoralize the doctor, Pharmaceutical company Renzon sues Forteo and his university, calling into question his work ethic, wreaking havoc on his personal and professional life.

Bremner packs a one-two punch by giving Jack the childhood trauma of losing his sick mother, then adding the consequences of being a passionate workaholic.

Hannah Fierman (SiREN) plays Amanda Bellaconda with a genuine kindness and impassioned determination. Shaan Sharma brings assured charm as counsel Ryan Singh.

David de Vries kills it as the boisterous lawyer Red Leghorn. He steals every scene he’s in. Andy Evans is great as Dr Jack Forteo. His hesitant demeanor is a wonderful foil for the immense pressure of the plot’s villain. Evans’ physical performance is fantastic.

From a technical standpoint, if I’m being nitpicky, the editing could use a pickup, specifically in the deposition scenes. Also, I suggest a reloop of Jack’s “joie de vivre” with the correct pronunciation. There’s no way a well-traveled speaker and professor would make that mistake.

I have secondhand experience with Accutane side effects. One of my best college friends began to take the medication, and in a few weeks, his entire personality shifted. His aggressive outbursts and negative behavior made us estranged for almost a year. The ensuing class action lawsuits were on my radar for years. “The Goose That Laid The Golden Egg” feels directly inspired by them.

The film tackles the quid pro quo of drug trials and the power of big pharma. A classic profits-over-people story, but Bremner mixes it with an unexpected emotional journey as a narrative anchor. Overall, the film plays like a Hallmark movie, but there’s nothing wrong with that. Everyone needs a good David Vs Goliath story now and again.