“Union County,” a recovery-focused drama starring Will Poulter and Noah Centineo, has been acquired by Oscilloscope Laboratories.
The film, directed by Adam Meeks, casts Poulter and Centineo as two fictional characters (brothers grappling with opioid addiction) amid the real-life participants of a court-sponsored drug rehabilitation program in rural Ohio. Meeks’ extended family lives in this part of the state, and the story developed from those close ties; his uncle introduced him to the drug court judge, who invited him to sit in on a meeting.
“Working with Oscilloscope on ‘Union County’ is an affirmation of the film we made, which aspires to be in conversation with so many of the great independent films they’ve distributed over the years,” Meeks said in a statement. “We’re so proud to partner with them to bring this film about community and human connection to cinemas and audiences across the country.”
“Union County” earned rave reviews and an extended standing ovation following its Sundance Film Festival premiere in January. The Park City audience cheered loudest for Annette Deao, who has worked as a therapist helping people navigate addiction recovery via this program for more than 20 years. Deao appeared in Meeks’ 2020 short film and plays herself in the feature. In fact, nearly everyone in the film is a nonprofessional actor, bearing their own truths on camera.
Oscilloscope Laboratories will release “Union County” theatrically in the summer or the fall of 2026.
Oscilloscope’s SVP of Acquisitions Aaron Katz said, “It’s rare to see recovery portrayed with this level of honesty. Adam delivers a grounded, deeply emotional, and unsensationalized look at a community confronting a crisis that feels all too familiar today, while still leaving room for hope. Anchored by a phenomenal, seamlessly integrated performance from Will Poulter, the film is both moving and uplifting, and we’re excited to bring it to audiences.”
In his review, Variety’s Peter Debruge praised Meeks for his execution of the hybrid narrative and how it tackles the opioid crisis.
“The make-or-break ingredient turns out to be British actor Will Poulter, whose immersive commitment dovetails beautifully with Meeks’ unvarnished sensibility,” Debruge wrote. “Meeks’ raw, honest movie fits neatly within a tradition of red-state escapees who remain committed to depicting the communities they know best with empathy and compassion.”
Poulter and Centineo, who played brothers-in-arms in last year’s A24 drama “Warfare,” also contributed behind the scenes: Poulter is billed as a producer on the film with Centineo as an executive producer.
Other producers on the film include Brad Becker-Parton, Martha Gregory, Stephanie Roush, Faye Tsakas, Sean Weiner, Tim Headington, Theresa Steele Page, Ellyn Daniels and Will O’Connor. Executive producers are Anita Gou, Caroline Clark, Luca Intili, Lauren Shelton, David Darby, Christine D’Souza, Julia Nelson and Greg Nobile. “Union County’ is a Ley Line Entertainment and Burn These Words production, presented by Seaview and Arkhum Production in association with Kindred Spirit and Wait A While Films.
The deal for the film was negotiated by Oscilloscope’s Katz, with WME, D’Souza and Nelson representing the filmmakers.
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