Adapted from the popular novel by Colleen Hoover and directed by Vanessa Caswill, Reminders of Him falls squarely into that familiar Nicholas Sparks-style romantic drama lane. It’s the kind of movie where tragedy strikes early, the characters spend most of the runtime working through guilt and forgiveness, and eventually love finds its way back in. These kinds of films come out every year, and if you’ve seen one, you generally know the emotional roadmap going in.
The story follows Kenna, played by Maika Monroe, who accidentally kills her boyfriend Scotty in a car accident. Unbeknownst to her at the time, she’s pregnant. After serving several years in prison, Kenna returns to her hometown hoping for even the smallest chance to be part of her daughter’s life. The problem is that Scotty’s parents—played by Bradley Whitford and Lauren Graham—want absolutely nothing to do with her.
While trying to rebuild her life, Kenna crosses paths with Ledger, Scotty’s best friend, played by Tyriq Withers. Ledger has been a major presence in the daughter’s life over the years, and what begins as a reluctant connection slowly turns into something deeper. If you’ve watched the trailer—or seen any movie like this before—you can probably guess how things unfold.
Going in, I honestly didn’t expect much. These types of adaptations aren’t really my cup of tea, and the last time I saw something similar in theaters was the The Choice adaptation. But Reminders of Him ended up being better than expected.
A big reason it works is the chemistry between Monroe and Withers. Their relationship is the emotional backbone of the movie, and they sell it well enough that you’re willing to go along for the ride. I’ve been keeping an eye on Tyriq Withers since I Know What You Did Last Summer and Him, and once again he stands out here. There’s something about his screen presence—he just has the look and the charisma to carry scenes.
The supporting cast helps elevate things too. Whitford and Graham bring a lot of credibility as Scotty’s parents, even when their characters are frustratingly unwilling to give Kenna a second chance. Their resistance is really the emotional obstacle that drives most of the film’s conflict.
The film also benefits from the performance of young actress Zoe Kosovec as Kenna and Scotty’s daughter, Diem. Child performances can sometimes be hit or miss, but she brings a lot of charm and authenticity to the role. She’s genuinely adorable in the movie, and her scenes add an emotional layer that helps ground the story.
Visually, the movie also surprised me. It looks like it was shot largely on location, with a lot of nice small-town imagery that gives the story a grounded feel. Ledger’s bar—formerly a library that Kenna and Scotty used to visit—becomes a memorable setting and adds a nice sense of history to the story. Little touches like that help the movie feel more cinematic than you might expect from a romance drama.
That said, the premise itself can feel a little strange when you really think about it. Kenna eventually falling in love with her late boyfriend’s best friend—who has also been a surrogate father figure to her daughter for years—is definitely one of those concepts that raises an eyebrow. But the film does try to acknowledge that awkwardness. Kenna writes letters to Scotty throughout the story, and after she and Ledger finally sleep together, she writes one explaining that she hopes he’d want her to move on and be happy. That moment actually worked for me because it addressed the exact thought that was running through my head.
Tonally, the movie feels like something you might have seen in the early 2000s—in a good way. It’s straightforward, emotional, and not overly complicated. There are even a few surprising laughs sprinkled throughout, including some of the biggest crowd reactions coming from one of Kenna’s coworkers at the grocery store.
At just under two hours, it’s an easy watch. I wasn’t checking my phone, and the movie moved along at a solid pace. It’s not reinventing the genre by any means, but it’s competently made, emotionally sincere, and carried by two leads with good chemistry.
If you’re already a fan of Colleen Hoover adaptations, this will probably give you exactly what you’re looking for. If you’re not usually into these kinds of romantic dramas, there’s still enough here—particularly in the performances—to make it a decent theater watch.
In the end, Reminders of Him isn’t the worst movie I’ve seen this year—and honestly, it easily could have been. Instead, it’s a solid entry in a genre that keeps coming back because audiences clearly enjoy it. Don’t be surprised if it does pretty well at the box office. Movies like this tend to find their audience.
And sometimes, that’s all they need to do.
Reminders of Him = 60/100
