By Will Giminaro

Union is an unflinching portrait of modern labor struggles that cuts to the bone. Having worked in an Amazon shipping facility myself, the film’s raw depiction of warehouse life hit uncomfortably close to home. Its ability to spotlight the relentless pressures and grueling demands placed on workers is nothing short of commendable. The film’s depiction of the oppressive work environment—embodied most strikingly by the 3,000-package daily quotas—is as harrowing as it is illuminating. You can feel the exhaustion, the unspoken frustration, and the quiet resilience of its characters in every frame.

Where Union truly excels is in its unvarnished portrayal of the invasive surveillance tactics that corporations employ to track and measure productivity. These moments are presented with such chilling authenticity that they’re impossible to ignore. Cameras that never blink, time trackers that never pause, and supervisors’ watchful eyes create a climate of constant tension. The film’s attention to these details is masterful, offering an immersive experience that places viewers directly in the shoes of warehouse employees.

If there’s one shortcoming, it’s the film’s hesitancy to widen its scope and address the larger, systemic issues plaguing the warehouse industry as a whole. While it excels at capturing the personal toll of labor exploitation, a broader exploration of corporate accountability could have elevated its critique. That said, this narrow focus is also its strength. By zeroing in on the individual experience, Union makes its message feel immediate, visceral, and personal.

Perhaps most infuriating is Union’s absence from major distribution platforms. It’s hard not to wonder if its blunt critique of American capitalism played a role in this exclusion. But in a way, this only underscores the film’s importance. This is a story that corporations would rather bury, which makes it all the more essential to unearth. Union isn’t just a film—it’s a rallying cry for workers’ rights in an era when that cry has never been more urgent.

More than just one of the most important films of the year, Union is a mirror held up to the face of modern industry. Its hard truths are uncomfortable, its message inescapable. Everyone should see Union—not just to understand the human cost of convenience but to recognize the quiet dignity of those who bear it.