Will Poulter Gets His Movie

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It’s remarkable how captivating everyday people can be on screen. We often focus on the screen presence of professional actors, but non-actors frequently possess a unique and natural quality. You feel it right away in Adam Meeks’s Union County, which features real participants from an Ohio recovery court speaking to an actual judge about their progress in rehab. It feels like a window into real life. These individuals have authentic faces and voices, and a genuine, unscripted delivery that can’t be faked. So when actor Will Poulter appears – still recognizable despite a more rugged look – it immediately feels like a shift: Now the story begins.

It’s surprising how well Poulter’s career path actually suits this role. He’s been a strong supporting actor for years, and it feels like the right time for him to take on a leading part. In Union County, he plays Cody Parsons, a man battling addiction who enters rehab instead of going to prison. His younger brother, Jack (Noah Centineo), is also in the program and helps Cody get a job with him at a lumber yard. While Poulter doesn’t quite disappear into the world of non-actors, that actually works for the character. Cody is from the area – we soon learn he has a sister (Emily Meade) nearby trying to live a normal life despite her family’s issues – but there’s a stiffness to him, as if he’s still learning how to navigate everyday life. Poulter perfectly captures this with his expressive face and observant eyes, making Cody seem like someone constantly trying to understand the world around him. It’s a subtle performance, filled with quiet observation and a withdrawn posture that embodies Cody’s shame. It’s hard not to feel sympathy for him.

Many films have explored the struggles of people in forgotten parts of America – some, like Holler, have been effective, while others, like Hillbilly Elegy, have fallen short. A common problem is avoiding melodrama or overly emotional storytelling. Union County skillfully avoids this by staying focused on Cody’s journey to overcome addiction, without turning it into a more sensationalized story. The film isn’t driven by big events, but rather by the weight of everyday struggles – a relapse, a tentative new relationship – and we feel their importance because of the film’s realistic detail. Everything feels genuine, from the way counselors interact with patients to the mechanics of a simple machine. The use of non-professional actors, including Annette Deao, who plays a version of herself as a rehab coordinator, adds to this authenticity. Union County often feels less like a fictional story with documentary elements, and more like a documentary with a touch of fiction.

Despite the dark and serious mood, the film is set in a surprisingly beautiful and wild landscape. This isn’t a simple contrast, though; the overgrown, majestic scenery actually adds to the feeling of unpredictability. A particularly powerful scene takes place in a vibrant green field under a darkening sky, and the visual impact perfectly reflects the emotional intensity of the moment. These thoughtful details demonstrate a real skill in filmmaking, helping Union County stand out from other similar movies. And with a compelling performance from a talented actor, it’s a film that truly stays with you.

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2026-01-26 03:54