The opioid crisis has inspired numerous TV shows and movies, but few have tackled the subject with the intimate, character-driven approach of Union County. Premiering at Sundance earlier this year, the drama stars Noah Centineo and Will Poulter as two foster brothers navigating the treacherous road to sobriety in rural Ohio. Now, with its theatrical release set for this Friday via Oscilloscope Pictures, we've got an exclusive sneak peek that captures the film's emotional core.
The clip finds Centineo's Jack Parsons standing before a judge, looking disheveled and anxious, while Poulter's Cody watches from the gallery. The judge questions Jack about a recent drug screening that came back positive for alcohol. Jack tries to downplay it, claiming he only had a couple of beers and didn't feel drunk. But the judge is having none of it, reminding him that the rules of the court-mandated rehab program are absolute—even a minor slip-up won't be tolerated. The tension in the room is palpable as Jack realizes the gravity of his mistake, though he insists he doesn't need help when asked.
This scene is a microcosm of what makes Union County so compelling. It doesn't glamorize addiction or offer easy solutions. Instead, it shows the messy, often humiliating reality of recovery, where one bad decision can feel like a massive setback. The film is set in the real Union County, Ohio, a region that became synonymous with the opioid epidemic's devastation. Through the Parsons brothers, we see two different stages of the struggle: Cody, who's been battling addiction since his teens and carries the guilt of introducing his brother to drugs, and Jack, who's earlier in his journey and still learning the hard lessons.
Director Adam Meeks, who also wrote the script based on his short film, brings a deeply personal perspective to the project. As an Ohio native, he wanted to honor the real people and communities affected by the crisis, focusing not on the pharmaceutical companies or the political failures—though those are certainly part of the backdrop—but on the human stories of resilience and hope. That approach is what drew Poulter to the role. In an interview at Sundance, he told Collider that the film's authenticity was a major appeal, especially the opportunity to work alongside non-professional actors who brought their own lived experiences to the set.
The cast also includes Elise Kibler, Emily Meade, and Danny Wolohan, with Annette Deao as a tireless counselor who becomes a lifeline for the brothers. The film's commitment to realism extends to its portrayal of the support systems—or lack thereof—that addicts often face. Cody's relationship with his sister is strained, and his only real anchor is Jack and the small community of fellow recovering addicts he meets along the way.
For fans of Centineo, known for his roles in To All the Boys I've Loved Before and The Recruit, Union County is a dramatic departure that showcases his range. Poulter, fresh off his Emmy-nominated turn in The Bear, continues to prove he's one of the most versatile actors of his generation. Together, they bring a raw, unflinching energy to a story that could easily have veered into melodrama but instead stays grounded and honest.
As the film hits theaters, it joins a growing list of projects—like Painkiller and Dopesick—that have tried to make sense of a national tragedy. But Union County stands apart by zooming in on the personal, reminding us that behind every statistic is a human being fighting for a second chance. If the exclusive clip is any indication, this is a movie that will linger long after the credits roll.
For more on the film, check out our other exclusive coverage and stay tuned for updates on Union County's release.
