We are days away from the release of the long-awaited film, The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping, and I couldn’t be more excited! We’ve been waiting for this film since it was announced in 2024, and it’s finally hitting theaters on Nov. 20.
Since the film’s premiere tour started, critics and other select attendees have had the chance to watch it, and the early reactions are in. To be quite frank, the reviews are scary. Rumor has it that it’s book-accurate. Don’t get me wrong, I love that it’s staying true to the book, but those who have read it know that this is one of the saddest stories in the franchise. Make sure to bring tissues!
Sunrise on the Reaping is the 5th book in The Hunger Games series, written by Suzanne Collins, and it’s the 6th film in the franchise. The story takes place 40 years after the events of the latest film, The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes, and 24 years before the original events in The Hunger Games.
Sunrise on the Reaping reveals the tragic backstory of one of the beloved characters in the original series, Haymitch Abernthay (Joseph Zada) from District 12. Specifically, the story follows 16-year-old Haymitch as he is reaped for the 50th Hunger Games, also known as the Second Quarter Quell, in which twice the usual number of tributes are selected to compete. Upon entering the games, Haymitch forms an alliance with fellow tribute Maysilee Donner (Mckenna Grace) to challenge President Snow’s (Ralph Fiennes) totalitarian rule.
The film will also feature the young versions of previous characters from The Hunger Games, including Effie Trinket (Elle Fanning), Plutarch Heavensbee (Jesse Plemons), Wiress (Maya Hawke), and Beetee (Kevin Harisson Jr.). It was also just announced that Jennifer Lawrence will return as Katniss Everdeen, alongside Josh Hutcherson as Peeta Mellark and Woody Harrelson as the older Haymitch! I knew they had a small part in the book, but I wasn’t getting my hopes up, and I definitely didn’t think the news would be revealed before the film came out. I can’t wait!
Beyond the film’s apparent faithfulness to the book, which many fans could already guess from the amazing trailers, many people have taken to social media to share their first impressions. Film critic Griffin Schiller described the film in a tweet as “a sobering, yet powerful story of devastating loss.” He went on to say, “Sunrise on the Reaping makes it abundantly clear why the series has transcended the YA boom of the 2010s and is needed today more than ever.” Without having watched the film yet, I agree with both statements because it is such a powerful tearful story that transcends its time, and it continues to be relevant today. The first Hunger Games book came out in 2008, and fans are still heavily engaged with the series and the messages it presents about power, rebellion, and resistance.
Furthermore, I’ve also come across TikToks, like one from creator @hannaheyerman, that show viewers’ reactions before and after watching the film. The majority (if not all) of the videos show the person excited before the screening and then in tears afterward, which tells us that the film will follow the same heartbreaking path that the book follows.
There are other direct reviews, like one from creator @markndrew_, who says that “there are many scenes which are going to pull at your heartstrings, and they are absolutely going to devastate you in so many ways.” So, with that, it is safe to assume that this movie will be even more devastating than the others.
Regarding the casting, many people are pleased with the choices made for each role. Without having seen their performances, I think the casting looks spot on! Elle Fanning, especially, seems like a perfect fit for Effie, capturing her mannerisms and overall vibe. Matt Neglia of Next Best Picture tweeted about Joseph Zada’s performance, particularly given the pressure of taking on such an iconic role. He compared Zada’s portrayal to Woody Harrelson’s performance as Haymitch, praising how well Zada captures the character’s “sympathy, charm, and bitterness.”
After reading some of these reviews, I can’t wait to step into the theater to watch this film! I encourage everyone to go watch it, and if you haven’t already, dabble in the other five films because they each have their own stories and messages.
Especially with everything happening in the world today, it’s crucial to remember to have hope for a better future, despite it not being one that we might be able to see with our own eyes. That shouldn’t discourage us; instead, it should remind us to keep fighting for what we know is right.