Review: ‘Reminders of Him’ falls flat despite Hoover’s involvement

Colleen Hoover’s latest film adaptation, ‘Reminders of Him’, co-written by Hoover herself, has hit screens with mixed expectations but ultimately fails to impress. The romantic drama follows Kenna, played by Maika Monroe, who returns to her hometown after serving time in prison, hoping to reconnect with her young daughter, Diem. The film struggles with believability and emotional depth, with characters often feeling flat and dialogue coming across as clunky. Rudy Pankow stars as Scotty’s friend Ledger, whose motivations to support Kenna are poorly explained, and veteran actors like Bradley Whitford and Lauren Graham seem underutilised. While the film accurately portrays the challenges of reintegration into society after prison, its romantic subplot lacks chemistry and tension, leaving the story feeling artificial. Some production design elements, like the local bar and supermarket, are convincingly realised, but they cannot compensate for the narrative shortcomings. Fans of Hoover’s previous adaptations might still be curious to watch, but the film is generally considered skippable for those seeking a compelling drama. Overall, the adaptation struggles to translate Hoover’s emotional storytelling to the screen and receives a low rating.