Zach Braff is stepping into unfamiliar territory with Clean Hands, a new drama inspired by an extraordinary true story. Vertical has unveiled the official trailer and poster for the film, which stars Braff alongside newcomer Esther McGregor.
Written and directed by Jake Allyn, best known for Ride, Clean Hands follows Sergeant Kevin Simmers (Braff), a law enforcement officer leading a task force battling the drug crisis in Hagerstown, Maryland — an area known as a major stop along the so-called “Heroin Highway.”
While Simmers spends his professional life fighting the drug trade, his greatest battle is taking place much closer to home. His 19-year-old daughter, Brooke (McGregor), is struggling with an increasingly dangerous addiction that begins with prescription pain medication before progressing to heroin.
As Brooke’s addiction intensifies, Kevin is forced to confront a painful contradiction: after dedicating his career to protecting his community, he must now question the systems he has spent his life defending. Together, father and daughter embark on a difficult journey toward recovery, redemption and hope.
The film premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival, where Vertical acquired its North American distribution rights.
What makes Clean Hands particularly meaningful is its connection to the real-life story behind the film. The production partnered with Brooke’s House, a non-profit, all-women recovery home founded and operated by Simmers in Hagerstown.
The filmmakers also established an on-set employment programme that gave women in recovery the opportunity to gain hands-on experience in various film production roles. Graduates of Brooke’s House were also cast in the film, helping bring an authentic perspective to its portrayal of addiction and recovery.
The partnership extends beyond the production itself. One-third of the film’s profits will be donated to Brooke’s House, which was established in 2018 and has since helped hundreds of women affected by addiction.
With Braff taking on a dramatically different role and the film drawing directly from the experiences of those at the heart of its story, Clean Hands looks to deliver a deeply personal exploration of addiction, family and the possibility of finding hope in the most difficult circumstances.
