Zach Braff Stars in ‘Clean Hands’ Crime Drama

By: Michael Jacobs – Senior Correspondent | Movie Entertainment News

LAS VEGAS, NV — (September 19, 2026) — Zach Braff takes on one of his most dramatic roles yet in Clean Hands, the upcoming true-story crime drama that turns America’s opioid crisis into an intensely personal battle between a father and daughter.

Written and directed by Jake Allyn, Clean Hands stars Braff as Sergeant Kevin Simmers, a veteran narcotics officer in Hagerstown, Maryland, who has spent his career fighting the drug trade along a corridor known as the “Heroin Highway.” But the war Kevin has been fighting on the streets suddenly comes home.

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His 19-year-old daughter Brooke Simmers, played by Esther McGregor, develops an opioid addiction that progresses from prescription pain medication to heroin. Kevin is suddenly forced to confront the drug crisis not only as a police officer, but as a father desperately trying to save his daughter.

The film’s official synopsis places that conflict at the center of the story, as Kevin begins questioning the punitive system he spent his career defending while father and daughter fight toward recovery, redemption and hope.

Clean Hands Brings a True Hagerstown Story to the Screen

Clean Hands is based on the real story of Kevin and Brooke Simmers and the events that ultimately led to the creation of Brooke’s House, a Hagerstown recovery home for women.

That real-life connection goes considerably deeper than simply inspiring the screenplay. Brooke’s House participated in the production, with program graduates appearing in the movie and women in recovery receiving training and working alongside the film crew. The movie’s official site says one-third of the film’s profits will benefit Brooke’s House.

The film made its world premiere at the 2026 Tribeca Festival on June 7 before returning home to Hagerstown for a special September 17 premiere at the Maryland Theatre.

Watch the Clean Hands Official Trailer

The trailer puts Braff’s Kevin Simmers squarely between two worlds — enforcing America’s drug laws professionally while watching addiction devastate his own family.

Braff and McGregor are joined by Abigail Spencer, Lucas Till and Holt McCallany in the 108-minute drama.

When Does Clean Hands Come Out?

Vertical will release Clean Hands in the United States on October 16, 2026, with both a limited theatrical release and digital/VOD availability scheduled for the same day.

Release Date: October 16, 2026
Genre: Crime | Drama
Director / Writer: Jake Allyn
Starring: Zach Braff, Esther McGregor, Abigail Spencer, Lucas Till, Holt McCallany
Runtime: 108 Minutes
Distributor: Vertical Entertainment
Country: United States
Language: English

With Clean Hands, the traditional crime drama is turned inward: the officer fighting drugs on the street is forced to confront what happens when addiction reaches his own front door.

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