'Union County' Review
- Lara Kretler
- Aug 9
- 2 min read
Release Date: 08/14/26 [Cinemas]
Genre: Drama.
MPAA: Not Rated.
Distributor: Oscilloscope Laboratories.
The Verdict: A Must-See
Union County is a truly remarkable film for so many reasons - the most obvious being Will Poulter’s stunningly understated performance as a young Ohio man battling drug addiction, homelessness and recovery.
Then there’s the fact that this is writer/director Adam Meeks’ first full-length feature film and that he managed to land A-list talents like Poulter and his excellent costar Noah Centineo.
But perhaps the most remarkable thing about Union County is that, aside from the two Hollywood leads, the rest of the cast is made up of real people engaged in drug addiction recovery and support in poor, rural Bellefontaine, Ohio.
With elements that bring to mind both a documentary and an art film, Union County is beautiful, memorable, and unique.
One of the most moving performances in the film is from Annette Deao, who is not an actor at all, but rather a real-life counselor with the court-mandated drug court program in Bellefontaine. In the film, we see her administering her duties and caring for her charges, who include both actual participants in the adult recovery program and the two Hollywood actors.
This combination of star talent plus real-world human beings doing their best to recover and support others battling drug addiction makes for a never-before-seen level of authenticity and realism.
Union County tells the story of two brothers from the foster system who have grown up to become addicts, and their struggles to get back on their feet - but it also tells a larger story reflective of the impact of the opioid epidemic on towns across America.
It took a very special and skilled writer and director to conceive of such a film, and then to bring it to life with such poignancy, care, and humanity. Union County never exploits its subjects, but rather gives them a voice and showcases their hope.
I left the film hoping that its cast and crew earn every award, for they are truly worthy of them. I’ve been a fan of Will Poulter since he turned into a dragon as “Useless Eustace” in The Voyage of the Dawn Treader. His transformation since - from child actor to superstar - has been even more enjoyable to watch. And after witnessing the depth and honesty he brought to Union County, I can’t wait to see what he does next.
