At the 2026 Sundance Film Festival, director Adam Meeks premiered his feature debut 'Union County,' a raw portrait of addiction in rural Ohio starring Will Poulter and Noah Centineo. The film, expanded from a 2020 short, features nonprofessional actors from a local recovery court to authentically depict the opioid epidemic's toll. Meeks praised Poulter's commitment, inspired by his role in 'Dopesick.'
Director Adam Meeks, who studied at NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts, returns to his rural Ohio roots in 'Union County,' his first feature film expanded from a 2020 short. The drama explores the struggles of everyday Americans battling opioid addiction, focusing on a handful of recovering addicts supported by social workers, sponsors, and a compassionate legal system.
The story centers on brothers Clay (played by Will Poulter) and Jack (Noah Centineo). Clay, a former addict navigating a county-mandated drug court program in Bellfontaine, Ohio, shares testimonials in court, seeks employment at a local lumber mill, and faces relapses, including a harrowing scene where he overdoses behind the wheel. Jack, the more responsible sibling, helps Clay but grapples with his own temptations. Other characters, like ex-addict Anna (Elise Kibler) and a patient sponsor (Annette Deao), highlight community efforts amid life's complications.
Meeks partnered with the Adult Recovery Court in Bellfontaine for authenticity, casting nearly all nonprofessional actors except Poulter and Centineo. At the film's Sundance premiere in the U.S. Dramatic Competition, Meeks shared his admiration for Poulter: “Watching Will Poulter in #Dopesick ‘affirmed’ for him early on that the actor ‘had a heart for the story.’ ‘I had for a long time felt like, “This guy should be leading a movie.”’”
Reviewed at the Fine Arts Theatre in Los Angeles on January 13, 2026, the 97-minute film emphasizes incremental sobriety over dramatic subplots, drawing comparisons to works like Nicole Riegel’s 'Holler' and J.D. Vance’s 'Hillbilly Elegy.' While praised for its integrity, it lacks commercial hooks typical of Sundance entries.
Production involved Ley Line and Seaview, with producers including Brad Becker-Parton and Will Poulter himself. The cast also features Emily Meade and Danny Wolohan.
