Clean Hands Review: Zach Braff Plays a Drug Cop Whose Daughter Becomes an Addict

Content note: This film is about drug addiction and its effects on a family.

Most stories about the drug crisis look at it from one side. A cop’s view. An addict’s view. A politician’s view. Clean Hands tries to show both sides at once, because in this true story, the cop and the addict are father and daughter.

Written and directed by Jake Allyn, Clean Hands stars Zach Braff and Esther McGregor. It opens in select theaters and on demand on October 16, 2026. Here’s our review.

Clean Hands Story: A War on Drugs at Work and at Home

Sergeant Kevin Simmers (Zach Braff) leads a drug task force in Hagerstown, Maryland. The town is a major stop on what people call the “Heroin Highway.” Kevin fights the drug trade face to face, and he keeps a sense of humor while doing it.

At home, it’s a different story. His 19-year-old daughter Brooke (Esther McGregor) is sinking into addiction. She starts with pain medication and moves to heroin. Kevin tries everything he can think of to help her.

Slowly, he must face a hard truth. The system he has spent his life defending and enforcing doesn’t work the way he believed. As he confronts that failure, father and daughter fight for recovery, redemption, and hope.

The film is based on a true story. The real Kevin Simmers later founded Brooke’s House, a nonprofit recovery home for women in Hagerstown, in 2018. The film was made in partnership with the organization, and one-third of its profits will go to Brooke’s House.

Zach Braff Steps Outside His Comfort Zone

Many viewers still know Braff as J.D. from Scrubs, or from his comedy-drama Garden State. Clean Hands is a big change.

He plays a cop in a mostly serious drama, and it’s a role that even includes some action, like pulling a gun and chasing a suspect. That’s new territory for him. He handles it well. His best moments come at home, where Kevin’s helplessness and heartbreak show clearly.

Holt McCallany, Abigail Spencer, Lucas Till, and E. Roger Mitchell round out the cast. Spencer plays Dana.

Esther McGregor Is the Breakout

The film’s strongest asset is McGregor. She plays Brooke in a role that asks a lot of her, and she handles tough material with confidence.

She also makes you care about Brooke early. That’s important, because the story follows a painful path. You’re rooting for her recovery long before the film gets there.

The father-daughter relationship is the heart of the movie, and the two actors carry it.

Where the Film Falls Short

The performances are better than the material. The script opens with plenty of personality and a bit of cleverness. After that, it settles into a standard, grim drama.

Once the main story kicks in, the direction of the plot is easy to guess. The film hits the expected beats of a true-life addiction story, and it doesn’t add much new.

Allyn’s direction gets the job done but feels plain, and some scenes could use tighter editing. The script can also meander, and it leans on familiar ideas about addiction and the justice system.

A Downer, But a Worthwhile One

This is a heavy film. It deals with addiction, family strain, and the failures of a system.

Still, it keeps you invested in its characters. The two leads carry the emotional weight, and the real-life story behind it adds meaning. The connection to Brooke’s House also gives the film a purpose beyond entertainment.

Who Should Watch Clean Hands

This film is best for viewers who care about the true story, the opioid crisis, or recovery. It’s also worth seeing for fans of Zach Braff who want to see him in a different light, and for anyone curious about Esther McGregor’s breakout performance.

If you want a fresh, surprising drama with a bold style, this may feel too familiar. If you want something light, it’s not the right choice.

The Verdict

Clean Hands is a heartfelt, sometimes predictable drama anchored by two strong performances. The story is familiar and the direction is plain, but Braff and McGregor give it real emotional weight. For viewers who value the true story behind it, it’s worth watching.

Rating: 3/5

Watch the Trailer

Quick Facts

• Title: Clean Hands
• Writer/Director: Jake Allyn
• Genre: Drama, Crime, Biographical
• Runtime: 1h 48m
• Based on: The true story of Kevin Simmers and his daughter Brooke
• Starring: Zach Braff, Esther McGregor, Holt McCallany, Abigail Spencer, Lucas Till, E. Roger Mitchell
• Producers: Jake Allyn, Conor Allyn, Brian Loschiavo, James Suttles, Jason Winn, JR Rappaport
• Executive producer: Zach Braff, among others
• Premiere: Tribeca Film Festival 2026
• Distributor: Vertical
• Release date: October 16, 2026 (select theaters and on demand)

Where to Watch

Clean Hands opens in select US theaters and on demand on October 16, 2026, through Vertical.

Have you seen “Clean Hands”? Share your thoughts in the comments below.