Sundance had a lot of interesting indie films this year, but one that really stood out to me was Union County. The film is set within a real drug court and features non-actors who are actively part of the recovery program, which gives the story an authenticity you can feel in every scene.

I thought Will Poulter’s performance was incredible, deeply moving, and honestly his best work to date. Yes, the film can feel slow at times, but the realism more than makes up for it. When we talk about the future of Hollywood actors, Will absolutely deserves to be part of that conversation. His performance is the heart of this film and easily its biggest highlight.

At its core, this is a story about addiction, and it does a really strong job of showing how addiction impacts not just the person suffering, but everyone around them. It’s a timely film, especially given the ongoing opioid crisis, and the world Meeks builds feels painfully real. It’s a snapshot of dark truths about America that not everyone may be ready to confront.

I also want to talk about Noah Centineo, who plays a very familiar type of character in a way that actually works here. He brings a loud, extroverted, party-guy energy that can be frustrating at times, but that frustration feels intentional. We all know people like this, the ones always chasing a good time and feeling everything loudly and openly.

That energy creates a strong contrast with Poulter’s more quiet, internal performance. Their sibling dynamic really highlights the difference between trying to break a cycle and choosing not to, and that tension adds a lot of emotional weight to the story.

Overall, I think Meeks did a strong job with this slice-of-life film. While there are things that could have been executed better, especially the pacing, I often found myself wanting more. Even with its flaws, Union County is a powerful, grounded film that sticks with you.