“Union County,” a recovery-focused drama starring Will Poulter and Noah Centineo, has been acquired by Oscilloscope Laboratories.
The movie, directed by Adam Meeks, casts Poulter and Centineo as two fictional characters (brothers grappling with opioid dependancy) amid the real-life individuals of a court-sponsored drug rehabilitation program in rural Ohio. Meeks’ prolonged household lives on this a part of the state, and the story developed from these shut ties; his uncle launched him to the drug courtroom choose, who invited him to sit down in on a gathering.
“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 mentioned in an announcement. “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 evaluations and an extended standing ovation following its Sundance Film Festival premiere in January. The Park City viewers cheered loudest for Annette Deao, who has labored as a therapist serving to individuals navigate dependancy restoration through this program for greater than 20 years. Deao appeared in Meeks’ 2020 quick movie and performs herself within the function. In truth, practically everybody within the movie is a nonprofessional actor, bearing their very own truths on digicam.
Oscilloscope Laboratories will launch “Union County” theatrically in the summertime or the autumn of 2026.
Oscilloscope’s SVP of Acquisitions Aaron Katz mentioned, “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 the way it tackles the opioid disaster.
“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 performed brothers-in-arms in final yr’s A24 drama “Warfare,” additionally contributed behind the scenes: Poulter is billed as a producer on the movie with Centineo as an executive producer.
Other producers on the movie embody 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 manufacturing, offered by Seaview and Arkhum Production in affiliation with Kindred Spirit and Wait A While Films.
The deal for the movie was negotiated by Oscilloscope’s Katz, with WME, D’Souza and Nelson representing the filmmakers.
