September 16, 2026
FILM: UNION COUNTY
WRITTEN & DIRECTED BY: ADAM MEEKS
STARRING: WILL POULTER, NOAH CENTINEO, ANNETTE DEAO
RATING: 3 out of 4 stars
By Dan Pal
At the start of Union County several people get on a stand to discuss their progress within an addiction recovery program. These are actual people telling their recent stories before Cody, played by Will Poulter, reports his. The film, written and directed by Adam Meeks, is a part documentary/part fictional depiction of a successful such program in Ohio. Where the lines are drawn are mostly unknown to viewers, including the effective performance by Annette Deao who plays a variation of herself as one of the compassionate leaders of the program. All of this results in a fairly slow-moving but realistic portrait of an addicted community and its real-life supporters.
The details surrounding Cody’s involvement with the program are initially sparse. We learn that he was recently released from jail, is living in his car, and will be part of the program for eighteen months. As portrayed by British actor Poulter, Cody comes across as uncomfortable and quiet. He’s an observer of the people around him. The most animated of the bunch is Jack, played by an excellent Noah Centineo. It turns out that Jack and Cody were in foster homes together and consider each other brothers. Jack has a big personality, appears wilder than Cody, but also seems to have a stable job at a wood factory.
There is a fairly quick but significant blip in both men’s recovery though which alters both of their lives. The film primarily focuses on Cody then as he moves into a sober house, meets a young care worker who lives across the street, and spends some of his time fixing up his car (a symbol for the Cody’s own “crashed” life.)
All of this is handled with fairly slow progression, which appropriately reflects the steady build toward a better life. Unlike a lot of films with similar stories, there aren’t many big emotional swings throughout the narrative. Revelations and background details about Cody arrive intermittently, including his relationship with his sister and her daughter. Eventually Cody becomes more communicative and expressive of his feelings which makes for a fairly satisfying character arc.
Will Poulter gives a largely non-verbal performance throughout the film which provides increasing insight into his character. (If you watch this then view his work on The Bear you’ll see quite a range in the actor’s skills.) With his oversized clothes and physical height, Poulter nicely inhabits the emotional space of the slightly awkward and introverted Cody.
The film does a fine job of not over-dramatizing the recovery program which is warmer and more compassionate than other such programs. As such, the film’s pacing and lack of many emotional swings might be a letdown for some seeking a bigger sized story. However, that’s not what this is. Including so many real-life people in the project makes it feel much more in line with what the program strives for, including providing respect for all of those involved.
Union County premiered at the 2026 Sundance Film Festival. It is currently being given a limited theatrical release. Will Poulter will appear in person for a Q & A at the Davis Theater in Chicago following a screening on Friday, September 18th.
FILM: UNION COUNTY
WRITTEN & DIRECTED BY: ADAM MEEKS
STARRING: WILL POULTER, NOAH CENTINEO, ANNETTE DEAO
RATING: 3 out of 4 stars
By Dan Pal
At the start of Union County several people get on a stand to discuss their progress within an addiction recovery program. These are actual people telling their recent stories before Cody, played by Will Poulter, reports his. The film, written and directed by Adam Meeks, is a part documentary/part fictional depiction of a successful such program in Ohio. Where the lines are drawn are mostly unknown to viewers, including the effective performance by Annette Deao who plays a variation of herself as one of the compassionate leaders of the program. All of this results in a fairly slow-moving but realistic portrait of an addicted community and its real-life supporters.
The details surrounding Cody’s involvement with the program are initially sparse. We learn that he was recently released from jail, is living in his car, and will be part of the program for eighteen months. As portrayed by British actor Poulter, Cody comes across as uncomfortable and quiet. He’s an observer of the people around him. The most animated of the bunch is Jack, played by an excellent Noah Centineo. It turns out that Jack and Cody were in foster homes together and consider each other brothers. Jack has a big personality, appears wilder than Cody, but also seems to have a stable job at a wood factory.
There is a fairly quick but significant blip in both men’s recovery though which alters both of their lives. The film primarily focuses on Cody then as he moves into a sober house, meets a young care worker who lives across the street, and spends some of his time fixing up his car (a symbol for the Cody’s own “crashed” life.)
All of this is handled with fairly slow progression, which appropriately reflects the steady build toward a better life. Unlike a lot of films with similar stories, there aren’t many big emotional swings throughout the narrative. Revelations and background details about Cody arrive intermittently, including his relationship with his sister and her daughter. Eventually Cody becomes more communicative and expressive of his feelings which makes for a fairly satisfying character arc.
Will Poulter gives a largely non-verbal performance throughout the film which provides increasing insight into his character. (If you watch this then view his work on The Bear you’ll see quite a range in the actor’s skills.) With his oversized clothes and physical height, Poulter nicely inhabits the emotional space of the slightly awkward and introverted Cody.
The film does a fine job of not over-dramatizing the recovery program which is warmer and more compassionate than other such programs. As such, the film’s pacing and lack of many emotional swings might be a letdown for some seeking a bigger sized story. However, that’s not what this is. Including so many real-life people in the project makes it feel much more in line with what the program strives for, including providing respect for all of those involved.
Union County premiered at the 2026 Sundance Film Festival. It is currently being given a limited theatrical release. Will Poulter will appear in person for a Q & A at the Davis Theater in Chicago following a screening on Friday, September 18th.