MagicReview: Reminders of Him 2026 Review

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Film Info

Director

Vanessa Caswill

Year

2026

Genre

Romance, Drama

Runtime

114 min

Language

English

Let’s be real for a second—walking into a Colleen Hoover adaptation in 2026 feels a lot like walking into a minefield of emotions that you didn't ask for but somehow desperately needed. After the absolute cultural earthquake that was It Ends With Us, the stakes for Reminders of Him weren’t just high; they were atmospheric. We’re talking about a fanbase that treats these books like sacred texts and a general public that is perpetually skeptical of "BookTok movies." But here we are, sitting in the dark, waiting to see if Kenna Rowan’s story of redemption would actually land the jump or just faceplant into another melodrama trope. Spoiler alert: bring the tissues, but keep your cynical hat on, because this movie is a rollercoaster that sometimes forgets it’s on tracks.

The "inner journey" of Kenna Rowan is, without a doubt, the strongest anchor this film has. For those who haven't been keeping up with the lore, Kenna is returning to the town where it all went wrong after a five-year stint in prison for a tragic mistake that cost the life of the man she loved. She’s looking for her daughter, but the town has essentially gatekept her own motherhood. The film does a solid job of painting this suffocating atmosphere of a "social pariah." You feel the weight of every cold stare and every slammed door. The "outer journey"—her literal struggle to find a place to sleep and a job—is juxtaposed beautifully with her internal battle of "Do I even deserve to be a mother?" This isn't just a romance; it’s a study of shame. The movie doesn't shy away from the fact that Kenna messed up, but it asks the audience to sit in the discomfort of forgiveness.

Now, let’s talk about the Ledger of it all. Every CoHo adaptation needs its "Internet Boyfriend," and Ledger Ward is peak "brooding-with-a-heart-of-gold" energy. The chemistry between the leads is what saves the film from becoming a Lifetime movie special. When they’re on screen together, the vibe is electric, but it’s a slow burn that actually feels earned. However, let’s get into the "plot armor" and the script's occasional laziness. Some of the dialogue feels like it was ripped straight from a 2014 Tumblr post. It’s poetic, sure, but do people actually talk like that when they’re buying groceries or fixing a bar stool? Probably not. The movie leans heavily into the "miscommunication trope" at times, which can be highkey frustrating for viewers who just want them to sit down and have a five-minute adult conversation.

"Now that I've found you, I'm not sure how to exist without you"

Visually, the film is a mood. The cinematography uses a lot of muted tones—lots of blues, grays, and that specific "sad girl autumn" aesthetic that makes every frame look like a Pinterest board. It effectively mirrors Kenna’s isolation. When she’s alone in her apartment, the framing is tight, almost claustrophobic, symbolizing her mental prison. But when Ledger enters her world, the lens opens up; there’s more light, more warmth, more "golden hour" magic. It’s a bit on the nose, honestly, but in the world of romantic dramas, we usually let that slide because it hits the emotional beats where it counts. The score, however, is a bit of a mixed bag. It relies heavily on indie-folk tracks that try a little too hard to tell you how to feel. We get it, it's sad. You don't need a cello solo every time she looks at a photo of her daughter.

One of the biggest hurdles for Reminders of Him is its pacing. The first act is a masterclass in building tension and empathy. You’re rooting for Kenna because she’s the ultimate underdog. But the second act drags in the middle, caught in a loop of "Should I stay or should I go?" melodrama. By the time we hit the third act, the resolution feels a bit rushed. The letters Kenna writes to Scotty—which are the literal "Reminders of Him"—serve as the emotional backbone, and the narration of these letters is where the movie truly shines. It provides that deep, analytical look into a grieving mind that the "outer" plot sometimes lacks. It’s in these moments that the film transcends the "trashy romance" label and becomes a genuine exploration of grief and the complexity of the human heart.

Is it a masterpiece? No. Is it a "must-watch" for the CoHo hive? Absolutely. For the casual viewer who’s just looking for a "gabut" watch on a Friday night, it’s a solid choice, provided you’re okay with feeling a bit emotionally manipulated. The film manages to avoid being "Absolute Trash" by virtue of its strong lead performance and its willingness to tackle the messy, unglamorous side of redemption. It’s a story about the fact that sometimes, there are no villains—just people who made terrible choices and the people who have to live with the fallout. It’s raw, it’s a little bit cheesy, and it’s definitely going to dominate the streaming charts for weeks.

Score Breakdown

Cinematography 8/10

Narrative 6.5/10

Performance 8.5/10

Sound / Score 6/10

7.3

/10

Worth Watching

MagicReview gives Reminders of Him a 7.3 out of 10.

That’s all we have for now. What do you think about the way the film handled Kenna’s letters? Did it add depth or was it just a cheap way to pull at our heartstrings? And for the book fans—did the movie Ledger live up to the one in your head?

Reminders of Him 2026 Review - MagicMoviesz Review

MagicReview gives Reminders of Him a 7.3 out of 10.

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