Reminders of Him, the long-awaited film adaptation based on Colleen Hoover’s best-selling novel, generated nearly $30 million globally in its opening weekend , immediately breaking records and securing a top spot on the charts in March of this year. Hoover released her romance novel in January of 2022, and since then, many fans have fallen in love with the storyline. On Goodreads, it averages 4.3 stars with over 1.7 million ratings due to the presence of intense emotion and captivating romance. In Oct. 2024, the film adaptation was announced, and Hoover worked alongside Lauren Levine to perfect the script and portray everything she hoped this film would capture: tragedy, love, and regret.

Throughout this film, Kenna, played by Maika Monroe, learned how to navigate through life following the death of her boyfriend, Scotty, the loss of her daughter’s custody, and the struggle of bouncing back after being released from prison. She battled the ups and downs of loss, worked hard to sustain herself, and tried to stay positive despite almost everything going wrong in her life. The audience learned more about her past through flashbacks triggered by constant reminders of her late boyfriend. It was intended to evoke a range of emotions, including melancholy and sympathy, while highlighting the love and determination of a mother striving to be enough for her daughter.

For the most part, this film was well-received. “It’s been one of my favorite movies of the year,” shares Lily Corcia, OH sophomore. “I loved it!”

As a fan of romance movies myself, I thought that the love story was predictable and did not compare to similar adaptations, such as Regretting You, another Hoover blockbuster released last Oct. Considering that Hoover is a distinguished author with a myriad of bestselling novels and even more adaptations planned for the future, such as Verity, I was hoping for more. It felt like the trailer had encompassed everything that was in the film, and there were hardly any engaging plot twists or unexpected events. Nevertheless, the storyline was simultaneously sorrowful and heartwarming, adding a sense of depth and emotion.

Despite the anticipation and enthusiasm for the release of this film, audience reactions were mixed. Some fans adored this emotional rollercoaster, while others felt it was not up to par with the novel. Olympic Heights sophomore Samantha Rodriguez felt it was “boring and cringey.” Online, the controversy persisted. Some viewers shared that they thought the love story was unethical and twisted because the main character pursued a relationship with her deceased boyfriend’s best friend, while many Hoover fans defended her work and praised the film.

Ultimately, Reminders of Him succeeds in delivering an emotional story about love, loss, and redemption, but it falls short of the depth and originality many fans expected. While it may resonate with viewers who enjoy poignant narratives, the film does not fully capture the complexity that made the novel so compelling.