By Jeanni Ritchie
My mom and I went to see Colleen Hoover’s latest film adaptation of her 2022 book Reminders of Him.
I’d loved her 2019 book Regretting You — which I picked up when I found out it was going to be made into a movie last year—but with only weeks between the two, it lost some of the emotional impact for me.
I decided to skip reading the book first this time, and was glad I did. I discovered the characters as they came to life on screen and watched the story unfold with no idea of what was to come.
Kenna Rowan returns to her hometown after serving time in prison, determined to reconnect with the young daughter she left behind. But rebuilding a life isn’t easy when the people closest to her past are the ones standing in her way. As she navigates strained relationships and the weight of her mistakes, an unexpected connection with Ledger offers a glimpse of hope—if she’s willing to risk it.
Maika Monroe did a great job as Kenna, along with Tyriq Withers as Ledger. I immediately IMDb’d them to see more. I adored Zoe Kosovic as Kenna’s daughter, Diem, and have been a longtime fan of Lauren Graham and Bradley Whitford, who played Diem’s grandparents.
One character I didn’t even recognize was Kenna’s coworker Amy, played by none other than Louisiana’s own Lainey Wilson. I kept thinking she seemed familiar, but without the bell bottoms and cowboy hat, I just couldn’t place her.
The cast standout, though, had to be Monika Myers as Lady Diana. A Canadian model, actress, and disability advocate, Myers brings both warmth and humor to the role, creating some of the film’s most memorable moments. Her presence adds a lightness to an otherwise heavy story, and I hope we see much more of her on screen.
Another star of the show was the soundtrack itself. With stripped-down versions of familiar songs and a subtle, often somber score, the music quietly enhances the emotion of each scene without overpowering it.
Reminders of Him is a story about second chances, forgiveness, and the complicated path back to the people we love. It doesn’t rush the process or tie everything up too neatly, but instead lets the story unfold in a way that feels honest—and that’s what makes it linger long after the credits roll.
