Movie Review: ‘Reminders of Him’ March 20, 2026By Joseph McAleer OSV News Filed Under: Movie & Television Reviews NEW YORK (OSV News) – Moviegoers can count on consuming quite a few Kleenex while watching “Reminders of Him” (Universal) a romantic drama that, when not taxing the tear ducts, offers a compelling take on loss, grief and reconciliation. Based on the bestselling novel by Colleen Hoover (who co-wrote the screenplay with Lauren Levine), the film is reminiscent of a Nicholas Sparks adaptation, a twisty tale of love lost and later found in the most unexpected place. Think “The Notebook” but with an ex-convict at its heart and an adorable child thrown into the mix. Kenna (Maika Monroe) has just been sprung from prison after serving five years for the DUI accident that killed her lover, Scotty (Rudy Pankow). While in jail, she gave birth to a daughter, Diem (Zoe Kosovic), but the child was taken away and placed in the custody of Scotty’s parents, Grace (Lauren Graham) and Patrick (Bradley Whitford). Determined to carpe diem, as it were, Kenna returns to the scene of the crime in picturesque Wyoming, intent on meeting Diem and restarting her life as a doting mom. Her first action does not bode well for this mission. Kenna uproots the roadside cross erected in memory of Scotty, saying he never liked memorials. But she keeps the cross close at hand (a good sign) in her rented room at a rundown apartment building called “Paradise” (another good omen). Needless to say, Kenna’s path to redemption is not at all smooth, especially after a new and unexpected love interest emerges in the person of Ledger (Tyriq Withers), Scotty’s childhood buddy. Ledger falls hard for down-and-out Kenna before discovering her identity. Since Scotty’s death, Ledger has been the primary father figure to Diem, and he’s determined not to upend the tyke’s life by exposing her to the influence of her hot-mess of a mama. Once grandma and grandpa take out a restraining order on Kenna, it’s off to the races, with multiple hearts broken and, in time, mended. Director Vanessa Caswill — who helmed the 2017 BBC adaptation of “Little Women” — treats the soapy plot with respect and restraint. There’s a powerful pro-life message in Kenna’s selfless determination to reconnect with, in her words, “the human that Scotty and I made.” The long and painful shadow cast by grief is explored on both sides: the anguish of Scotty’s parents and best friend, as well as Kenna’s efforts to cope with the loss of both her first love and her child. Yet, as Kenna optimistically concludes, “Every loss is a reminder that life is worth living.” The film contains gory images of a car crash, drug use, nongraphic scenes of nonmarital sexual activity, brief, distant rear nudity, about a half-dozen profanities and a couple of uses each of rough and crude language. The OSV News classification is A-III – adults. The Motion Picture Association rating is PG-13 – parents strongly cautioned. Some material may be inappropriate for children under 13. Read More Movie & TV Reviews Movie Review: ‘Project Hail Mary’ Home viewing roundup: What’s available to stream and what’s on horizon ‘The Optimist’ tells story of Holocaust survivor helped by Catholic family St. Patrick’s Day celebration twist: Catholic Irish actress brings pro-life message to Oscars stage Movie Review: ‘Hoppers’ Examining recent Academy Award Best Picture winners Copyright © 2026 OSV News Print
