Why ‘Reminders of Him’ hits different this Women’s Month
In the stories we often celebrate about women, the protagonists are strong, resilient and admirable. But rarely do we sit with women who have made mistakes — the kind that change lives forever.
That’s what makes “Reminders of Him” feel different. Based on the best-selling novel by Colleen Hoover —the same writer behind the global phenomenon It Ends with Us — the story centers on a woman trying to rebuild her life after the worst chapter of it. And it begins with a haunting question: Can you forgive a mother who gave birth in prison and now wants to reclaim a place in her child’s life?
That complicated question sits at the heart of the emotional film adaptation arriving in cinemas this month — fittingly during Women’s Month, when conversations about women’s realities, struggles and resilience feel more urgent than ever.
When I had a conversation with Hoover via online and the cast of the film, it quickly became clear that “Reminders of Him” isn’t trying to present a perfect heroine, and it shows why that is important to show on the big screen today.
The film follows Kenna, played by Maika Monroe, a young mother who returns to her hometown after serving time in prison for allegedly causing the death of her boyfriend. But the real heartbreak begins when she returns home. Her daughter, Diem, has been raised by the parents of the man she was accused of killing, and they want nothing to do with her. It’s an uncomfortable premise, but that’s exactly why Hoover felt compelled to write it.
“When I was writing the story, it was just so heart-wrenching,” Hoover told me during our interview. “I could never imagine a life where I would have to fight for a relationship with my children.”
The author, who once worked in social services, said many of her stories are inspired by the complex realities faced by women she encountered during that time. “I just find women and mothers so inspiring,” she added.
What struck me about the film is that there is no single “villain.” Instead, the story places two women on opposite sides of the same tragedy. Kenna is the mother, desperate for a second chance. And then there is Grace, the mother of the man who died. Grace is portrayed by Lauren Graham, who many fans know from beloved television roles but who delivers something deeply layered here.
Grace is now raising the child Kenna left behind. Despite everything she has endured, she continues to hold her family together.
“I felt her immediately,” Graham told me. “I couldn’t believe this woman is still standing after everything she’s been through.”
That’s the emotional complexity the film leans into. Grace has every reason to resent Kenna. Kenna has every reason to fight for her daughter. And somewhere in between is a little girl caught in the consequences of an irreversible moment.
The story introduces another unexpected twist through Ledger, a local bar owner played by Tyriq Withers. Ledger was once the best friend of the man Kenna lost. Yet he becomes the only person willing to see the humanity in her. How it unfolds on the big screen is what fans of the book and moviegoers should watch out for.
Women’s Month is often filled with stories of triumph, women who have broken barriers, achieved greatness and defied expectations. But “Reminders of Him” highlights something equally important: the humanity of women who are still figuring things out after they fall. Kenna is not a perfect mother. She is not a flawless woman. She is deeply traumatized and troubled. But her story reflects a reality many women face, which is the struggle to rebuild a life after one defining mistake. And perhaps that’s why Hoover’s work resonates so deeply across the world.
Her stories rarely offer easy answers. Instead, they ask audiences to sit with difficult emotions: grief, regret, accountability and hope. As Monroe put it during our conversation, the film takes “a hard look at life and humanity and the struggles of motherhood.”
“Life is hard,” she said. “But what drives you forward? How do you find hope in the darkest of times?”
The Philippines happens to be one of Hoover’s biggest fan bases. Her books consistently dominate bestseller lists locally, and Filipino readers have embraced her emotionally charged storytelling.
Globally, Hoover’s novels have sold more than 35 million copies, while “Reminders of Him” alone has sold millions and been translated into dozens of languages. But numbers aside, the author’s appeal lies in her ability to make readers feel seen.
Her characters are rarely perfect. They are grieving, healing, apologizing, rebuilding and sometimes learning how to forgive themselves.
In many ways, “Reminders of Him” is about the quiet courage required to keep trying even when the world refuses to forget your past. This story feels especially powerful during Women’s Month. It reminds us that women’s stories are not just about strength. They are also about vulnerability and mistakes and the hard choices to make to turn your life around.
“Reminders of Him” opens on March 11 in local cinemas.
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