Aug 18, 2026 - Culture

"Union County" brings rural Ohio to the big screen

Sam Allard

Three white men in front of a green board promoting "Union County" film. — L-R: Will Poulter, Adam Meeks and Noah Centineo at the "Union County" premiere in New York. Photo: John Nacion/Variety via Getty Images

A new movie filmed and set in Ohio starring Will Poulter and Noah Centineo is playing at the Cedar Lee this week.

The big picture: "Union County," directed by Ohio filmmaker Adam Meeks, follows two foster brothers (Poulter and Centineo) as they navigate a court-mandated drug rehabilitation program while attempting to rebuild their lives amid the opioid epidemic.

State of play: It was filmed in rural central Ohio — Union County is northwest of Columbus — with production headquartered in the city of Bellefontaine.

Stop by: "Union County" is currently playing at only 11 theaters nationwide, five of which are in Ohio.

That includes the Nightlight in Akron, the Cedar Lee in Cleveland Heights, Gateway Film Center in Columbus, the Neon in Dayton and the Esquire Theatre in Cincinnati.

The intrigue: Poulter traveled to Ohio last week for a press tour that included special screenings at both the Nightlight and the Cleveland Cinematheque.

He was declared a "natural Ohioan" when he professed his appreciation for Skyline Chili.

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"Union County" brings rural Ohio to the big screen

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