Critics’ reviews

Reminders of Him (2026)

17 reviews from 17 publications. Critics’ score 43: 3 positive, 5 mixed, 9 negative.

Back to our review of Reminders of Him

43
Positive
3
Mixed
5
Negative
9

Most critics are unconvinced, and the negative reviews outnumber the positive three to one. Where there is praise, it gathers around Maika Monroe, whose turn as a mother rebuilding her life after prison is what most reviewers find worth watching, and around the mother-daughter scenes, which several critics say carry more feeling than the romance does. The warmer reviews, from Variety, IndieWire and The AV Club, describe a restrained, old-fashioned weeper, and IndieWire calls it the best Colleen Hoover adaptation to date.

The reservations are about the plot. Critic after critic objects to the coincidences, the forced conflict and the predictable shape of the story, and the harsher reviews find the dialogue strained and the pacing slack. The spread is wide, running from mild approval to outright dismissal at The Observer, Vulture and Deadline. Monroe is not universally admired either: Little White Lies and Time Out single out her performance as the problem rather than the saving grace.

Variety
11 March 2026 · Owen Gleiberman
72*

Gleiberman finds the film a pleasingly restrained weeper, though it can feel languid. He praises Maika Monroe’s sympathetic performance and the unforced tenderness of the mother-daughter scenes.

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IndieWire
11 March 2026 · B- · Kate Erbland
70

Erbland calls it the best Colleen Hoover film adaptation so far, though not a complete success. She praises its quieter, genuine emotional center and the strong performances.

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The AV Club
11 March 2026 · B- · Caroline Siede
70

Siede finds the film a heartfelt, engaging throwback melodrama whose motherhood themes outshine its romance. She especially praises Maika Monroe’s portrayal and the film’s attention to the lasting effects of separating incarcerated mothers from their children.

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The Guardian
11 March 2026 · Adrian Horton
65*

Horton finds the romance contrived but still charming and easily consumed. He praises the leads’ tender chemistry and the film’s lush visuals, while faulting its implausible plot and stylized editing.

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The Hollywood Reporter
11 March 2026 · Frank Scheck
50*

Scheck finds the film emotionally manipulative and overstuffed with contrivances, though its melodrama eventually proves affecting. He praises Maika Monroe’s performance and notes Lauren Graham’s particularly moving work in the final act.

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Radio Times
11 March 2026 · Chezelle Bingham
45*

The review describes the film as a largely ordinary romantic drama, though not without charm. It singles out the performances as a strength.

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Little White Lies
12 March 2026 · ★★ · Emma Kiely
40

The critic strongly dislikes the film, calling it a grim, conservative romance with a lifeless lead performance. Tyriq Withers is singled out as a bright spot, while Maika Monroe’s performance and the film’s staging draw criticism.

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Los Angeles Times
12 March 2026 · Amy Nicholson
40*

Nicholson finds the film simplistic and overlong, though its early stretches and scattered scenes offer genuine appeal. She praises the sincere connection between Kenna and Amy, while faulting the drawn-out driving conversations and rushed resolution.

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Slant Magazine
11 March 2026 · ★½/4 · Derek Smith
38

The critic finds the adaptation earnestly overdetermined and ultimately unilluminating. They fault its absurd coincidences and flat characterizations, especially the implausible way Kenna and Ledger meet without recognizing each other.

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Screen Daily
11 March 2026 · Tim Grierson
30*

The review is negative, calling the adaptation predictable and shallow. The accessible text criticizes its predictability and shallow treatment, but offers no further detail.

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Time Out
11 March 2026 · Hanna Flint
30*

Flint finds the romantic drama forgettable and unconvincing. She singles out Maika Monroe’s performance as an ex-con rebuilding her life for criticism.

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Empire
20 March 2026 · Helen O’Hara
20*

The review finds the romance flat and the conflict forced, despite the leads’ efforts. It faults the film for shallow character writing and lingering shots that substitute for depth.

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The Observer
15 March 2026 · Wendy Ide
10*

Ide finds the film dismal and predictable, though somewhat less brain-numbing than Regretting You. She criticizes its formulaic plot and lip-biting, heavy-breathing performances.

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Vulture
14 March 2026 · Roxana Hadadi
10*

Hadadi finds the film generic, bloodless, and immediately forgettable. She particularly criticizes the leads’ lack of chemistry and the film’s failure to build meaningful conversations or dramatic tension.

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The Wrap
11 March 2026 · William Bibbiani
68*

The critic finds the film effective and engaging, though predictable and less than excellent. Maika Monroe and Tyriq Withers’ chemistry and performances help make its melodramatic story work.

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Collider
13 March 2026 · 6/10 · Isabella Soares
60

Soares finds the film a sincere, touching romance despite weaknesses in its supporting characters and rushed conclusion. She praises Maika Monroe and Tyriq Withers for making the romance feel grounded and earned.

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Deadline
12 March 2026 · Damon Wise
10*

Wise dismisses the film as gloomy, ludicrous romantic hokum. He especially criticizes its implausible plot points and strained dialogue, while noting the cast largely maintains its dignity.

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Ordered by the weight we give each publication, then by score. Scores are normalised to 100; * means inferred from an unrated review. Summaries are ours, not quotations; follow the links for the reviews themselves. How we rate