‘Reminders of Him’ Review: The Most Baffling Colleen Hoover Movie Yet

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Despite being a fairly predictable story, Reminders of Him is surprisingly touching. Based on the popular novel by Colleen Hoover (It Ends with Us), the film centers on a mother recently released from prison who’s trying to rebuild a relationship with the daughter she gave up years ago. While the story itself isn’t groundbreaking, the actors Maika Monroe and Tyriq Withers share a genuine connection that prevents the film from becoming overly sentimental. Their believable performances lift what could have easily been a typical TV movie, and occasional lighthearted moments offer some relief, though they sometimes feel forced.

Kenna Rowan returns to her hometown of Laramie, Wyoming, after spending seven years in prison for a tragic car accident. She’s determined to reconnect with her daughter, Diem, who has been lovingly raised by her late boyfriend’s parents, Grace and Patrick. However, they hold Kenna responsible for their son’s death and are actively working to keep her away from Diem.

Kenna finds an affordable apartment and starts walking around town, looking for work. She goes to the bookstore she and Scotty used to love, but it’s been renovated into a bar by Scotty’s friend, Ledger Withers. Ledger doesn’t immediately recognize Kenna, but he’s struck by her quiet beauty and the many notebooks she carries. Kenna has been writing letters to Scotty as a way to cope with her sadness and feelings of responsibility.

I was completely stunned to find out Kenna is actually Diem’s mother! I didn’t know her back when she was with Scotty, but I’ve been a big part of Diem’s life, helping to raise her. I tried so hard to keep Kenna from reconnecting with Diem and Scotty’s family, but something unexpected happened. I started to see that Kenna truly cares about Diem, and honestly, I’m falling for her. The problem is, I’m already with Grace and Patrick, and getting involved with Kenna would be a terrible betrayal to them.

The plot of Reminders of Him depends a lot on lucky coincidences and asking the audience to overlook unlikely events. The story moves forward because Kenna keeps randomly running into people who help reveal character and build tension – her first meeting with Ledger is a prime example of this. It’s hard to believe that Scotty’s lifelong friend wouldn’t recognize Kenna, and even more unbelievable that Kenna and Ledger never met before. The movie tries to explain this with a weak and confusing reason, but you have to accept it anyway, or the entire story doesn’t work.


Universal Pictures

It’s hard to accept how strongly Grace and Patrick oppose Kenna seeing her child. Director Vanessa Caswill, who directed films like Love at First Sight and the BBC’s Little Women, beautifully portrays Kenna and Scotty’s past with dreamy flashbacks and soft lighting. Grace and Patrick knew how much Scotty loved Kenna; she wasn’t a stranger. While it’s reasonable they’re upset about Scotty’s death and blame Kenna, she didn’t intentionally harm him. It seems incredibly harsh that they wouldn’t recognize her grief or even tell Diem about her mother. Having lost a child herself, it’s baffling why Grace would inflict the same pain on Kenna.

Maika Monroe continues to powerfully convey deep feelings through her expressions, building on the intensity she’s shown in films like It Follows, Watcher, and In Cold Light to portray Kenna’s emotional turmoil. While the film includes voice-over narration of Kenna’s journal entries, it’s her nonverbal performance that truly draws you in. We see her desperation as she tries to connect with Diem, and her initial anger towards Ledger softens as they develop a bond. Ledger has lovingly raised Diem as if she were his own daughter, filling a paternal role that Kenna’s father couldn’t. This genuine care allows Kenna to finally consider opening her heart to love after years of hurt. These moments between them are sweet and touching, beautifully mirrored by Kyle Withers’ performance, and their shared search for intimacy is genuinely satisfying to watch.


Universal Pictures

Colleen Hoover’s Reminders of Him uses a particular character, Lady Diana, for lighthearted moments. Played by Monika Myers, an actress and model with Down syndrome, Diana is Kenna’s teenage neighbor and coworker. She often appears briefly to deliver a funny line and then disappears. While charming, the character feels underdeveloped and doesn’t have a significant role in the story; she could have been used more effectively.

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Colleen Hoover’s latest novel, Reminders of Him, is sure to please her devoted readers and anyone who enjoys a highly emotional, sad story. However, others might find it difficult to get through.

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2026-03-11 19:20