Too safe and sterile

"For a film brimming with drug abuse, kinky sex, a murder trial and a traumatizing past, The Adderall Diaries is just too sterile. A story like this should feel dangerous and wild, unmoored from convention and bustling with electricity. Pamela Romanowsky’s direction isn’t condemnable, but it’s far too safe. "

i would not say sterile or safe. a story like this would could work in a clean and safe manner. nevertheless: you hit it on the head with the second part:

"It’s unclear just what drew her, as a filmmaker, to this particular story. And if the storyteller isn’t clear on what story they’re telling, how can we be expected to care? Popping all the Adderall in the world wouldn’t help keep this narrative focused"

it was a mess. overall just a muddy, inconclusive story about nonsense. nothing made sense: the characters, the plot, the motivations ... nothing.

and why even "adderall"? the dude is a rich, successful junkie. why the hell would he use adderall out of all the substances to abuse??? he could afford the whole portfolio.

The movie had its flaws but the story was about the lies we tell ourselves. It was about how we make-up our own narratives to suit what we want to be true and to hell with the real truth.