Reminders of Him (2026) – Review and Summary

While certain elements feel awkward or missing, Reminders of Him is one of the better adaptations of a Colleen Hoover book as of late.

ByAmari Allah Hours Posted on Hours Updated on

Spoiler Alert: This summary and review contains spoilers.

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“Reminders of Him” Film Details

  • Director(s): Vanessa Caswill
  • Writer(s): Lauren Levine, Colleen Hoover
  • Based On Work By: Colleen Hoover
  • Distributor: Universal Pictures
  • Runtime: 1 Hour(s) and 54 Minutes
  • Public Release Date (In Theaters): March 12, 2026
  • Genre(s): Drama, Romance
  • Content Rating: Rated PG-13
  • Primary Language: English
  • Images © of / Courtesy Of Universal Pictures

Movie Summary

Kenna recently got out of prison after a car accident completely ruined her life. It led to her losing her best friend and boyfriend, Scotty, his family, and losing access to her daughter for the next five years. But, on the advice of a fellow mother she met in prison, she returns to Laramie, Wyoming, and hopes there is some path to redemption which could at least mean meeting Diem, the little girl she and Scotty made together.

Cast and Characters

Kenna (Maika Monroe)

  • Character Summary: Kenna has been recently released from prison and has no one. No mother, father, family, or friends. It isn’t even clear what she wants to do with her life beyond connecting with her daughter Diem.

Scotty (Rudy Pankow)

  • Character Summary: Scotty was a happy-go-lucky guy. Simple in many ways, with being the type who just wanted a good job, a wife, and a kid. For the most part, no one could say anything notably bad about him. The only criticism some may bring up is that he wasn’t big on reading.

Diem (Zoe Kosovic)

  • Character Summary: Diem is Scotty and Kenna’s daughter, who is five going on six, and is currently being raised by her paternal grandparents.

Ledger (Tyriq Withers)

  • Character Summary: Ledger was Scotty’s best friend since he was Diem’s age, and in Scotty’s absence, he has been a very active uncle. He has even, especially once his football career slowed down, built his life around being accessible to Diem.

Review and Commentary

Highlight(s)

It Doesn’t Feel Like It Has Much Fat [82/100]

We’re the first person to question if anything needs to push two hours. However, I would submit that Reminders of Him feels like the kind of adaptation that does its best to balance all it can’t cover while hitting what it needs to. Note, it mainly focuses on the relationships, who is who, and as noted below, it doesn’t really get too deep into anyone as an individual. Yet, it works.

You get a sense of most people’s story, their struggle, and an idea of which way their story can go. Leaving you with something that doesn’t feel barebones, but certainly what you need to know.

You Get Emotionally Invested [84/100]

But, even with not diving deep into every last character’s life and establishing who they are outside of their relationship to Scotty or Diem, you do get emotionally invested. I would even say, it isn’t in some cheap way. Yes, Kenna’s story of redemption can be seen as a sob story. Especially as it becomes clear all she had was Scotty and his family, none of her own. However, the film doesn’t dwell on that or cheaply leans on the woe is me it could have.

Yes, it is made clear Kenna’s goal is to win over Scotty’s parents to earn the right to spend time with Diem. Yet, there aren’t breakdowns or oddly placed monologues. Even when pressed to say what happened the night Scotty died vs. what everyone thinks did, it doesn’t feel rushed for a reaction. It feels earned, and not just because it comes towards the latter half of the movie.

If anything, it all feels like a reminder of how far Kenna has come, even before she stepped foot out of prison, and we began our journey with her. Making it so, throughout the film, you may find yourself getting teary-eyed, even to the point of a Kerry Washington lip tremble.

On The Fence

The Character Development Is A Bit Lax [73/100]

Most characters in Reminders of Him are built around who they were to Scotty. This means, as individuals, we don’t get a lot. Kenna, for example, we’re pushed to believe she has no contact with her parents, any potential siblings, cousins, and that her only friend in the world was Scotty. It isn’t once said why throughout the entire film.

Then for other characters, they have highly restricted roles. Scotty’s parents are his parents and are the obstacle to Kenna getting to be with her daughter. Ledger’s best friend co-owns a bar with him, and may open up to Kenna in one scene – but you could easily forget what is said about him or by him in a snap. Heck, there is a comic relief character in the motel Kenna lives in where you get a name, where she works, and it doesn’t go much beyond that.

Straight up, Reminders of Him is focused on its main story, and isn’t trying to take you on any sidequests. Which, similar to anime, makes it feel like, if you really give a damn about all these supporting roles, then you will need to pick up the book.

While Cute, It Can Be Difficult To Get Beyond The Awkwardness Of Kenna and Ledger’s Relationship [71/100]

Kenna (Maika Monroe) and Ledger (Tyriq Withers) – Reminders of Him

Ledger was Scotty’s best friend. Kenna and Scotty may have been doing things out of order, but there was a chance they could have been each other’s forever person. With that in mind, even if it has been five years since Scotty died, it is weird at times to watch Ledger and Kenna fall for one another.

Take note, it isn’t like the movie takes place over months or a year. It’s weeks, at best. On top of that, Ledger, like Scotty’s parents, were under a very negative perception of Kenna and her part in Scotty’s death. The combination makes that quick transition from Ledger and Kenna barely knowing what the other looked like, to Ledger wanting to keep Kenna away from Diem, to them sleeping together a bit much sometimes.

Mind you, the actors have chemistry. Monroe and Withers don’t give hot, heavy, and will burn out quickly as much as they give, “If Scotty didn’t get you to first” type of vibes. But with the constant reminder of who Scott was between them, it keeps you from getting to enjoy them long-term.

Overall

Our Rating (77/100): Mixed (Divisive)

Reminders of Him isn’t going to set the world on fire and bring Colleen Hoover back to the same status her name was when It Ends With Us came out. However, it is far better than Regretting You, and if you love the movie adaptations of her book thus far, while imperfect, this one is for you.

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Amari is the founder and head writer of Wherever-I-Look.com and has been reviewing media since 2010. He approaches each production with hope, rooting for every story to succeed, and believes criticism should come from unmet potential, while praise is reserved for work that meets or exceeds expectations.