The Wasteland Reviewer

Reminders of Him (2026) Written Review

Who’s ready for the next ride into the literature-turned-cinematic world of Coleen Hoover? With the release of It Ends with Us, audiences became enamored with the idea of having more of Hoover’s books come to the silver screen. Regretting You can next and now Reminders of Him. Director Vanessa Caswill brings this new adaptation to the screen with some young talents like Maika Monroe and Tyriq Withers. A story about a recently released prisoner who returns to the place her life changed, she lost the man of her dreams, and her daughter was taken away. Monroe’s Kenna’s journey is the focus of this new Hoover adaptation.

What does Caswill bring to the table from behind the camera? The film does not have much to write home about in the realm of technical filmmaking. Most of the film gives off sitcom lighting and staging vibes. The lack of texture and depth can be quite frustrating and gives the film quite the flat feel. There are some solid shots of nature (with the Wyoming setting standing out quite well) and a few intimate moments as well. But much of the film feels overly glossy and oddly dreamlike. From a pacing standpoint, there are certainly moments when you feel the length of the film. That second act lull does not do any favors when the film is pushing two whole hours. Tonally, this film leans deeply into melodrama with every scene feeling more dramatic and emotional than the last. This approach can feel overwhelming at times, and it feels obvious that the film is attempting to manipulate you and get you to cry. This is a tear-jerker for sure.

Does Hoover’s story hold up? The biggest conceit of the film is the crime and prison sentence of Kenna. When you realize what happened, this film quickly becomes unbelievable and completely loses that grounded emotional state. If you can stay bought in with the story, then Reminders of You will work a lot better. You have two romances in the film (one in the past and one in the present) and neither of them feel fleshed out with a strong foundation outside of physical attraction and trauma-bonding. For an almost two-hour film, the narrative feels quite stretched out from the minimal layers to the story. The elements of the story focused on grief and overcoming trauma are the true anchoring bits that solidify the experience. The film feels too broad and the characters too one note for this film to elevate above your cliché romantic drama/tragedy. 

Does the cast perform some heavy lifting? Maika Monroe is the anchoring piece to this whole experience and the depth she brings elevates the experience. Even when the film has a big, sappy romantic tone, Monroe at least grounds the audience. When she feels all those emotions, we do too. Tyriq Withers is certainly handsome and has some solid charm, but he is not the most dynamic romantic co-lead in the film. You have a pair of veteran performers who are emotional anchors in Lauren Graham and Bradley Whitford. They both deliver with Graham delivering some serious emotion along the way. There are certainly some fun supporting turns here or there but hats off to Zoe Kosovic who is the most adorable little girl as Kenna’s daughter and Monika Myers who is so charming as a girl living at the same motel as Kenna. 

Is Reminders of Him the romantic drama of the new year? If you are looking for something to aim at bringing on the tears with plenty of mood, then Hoover’s story is right up your alley. But Caswill’s film struggles a bit. That lack of directorial voice makes the film feel a bit flat. The writing is too broad, requires too many logic leaps, and just lacks any substantial depth. This is a solid effort for some romance and tears, but it just is not a strong film.