{"id":660247,"date":"2026-10-29T03:50:09","date_gmt":"2026-10-29T03:50:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/660247\/"},"modified":"2026-10-29T03:50:09","modified_gmt":"2026-10-29T03:50:09","slug":"hunger-games-sunrise-on-the-reaping-first-reactions-praise-prequel","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/660247\/","title":{"rendered":"‘Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping’ First Reactions Praise Prequel"},"content":{"rendered":"

\n\t\u201cThe Hunger Games<\/a>: Sunrise on the Reaping\u201d has officially premiered, and members of the film press are already calling the sixth installment a \u201cperfect adaptation\u201d that breathes \u201cnew life\u201d into the franchise. \u201cSunrise on the Reaping\u201d is the second \u201cHunger Games\u201d prequel movie following 2023\u2019s \u201cThe Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes.\u201d<\/p>\n

\n\tFilm critic Griffin Schiller hailed the movie<\/a> as the \u201cRogue One\u201d and \u201cAndor\u201d of \u201cThe Hunger Games\u201d franchise, adding: \u201cIt\u2019s [a] sobering, yet powerful story of devastating loss and the necessary cost of rebellion for a sunrise we may never see. As a massive fan of the series and especially this book, I couldn\u2019t have asked for a more perfect adaptation.\u201d<\/p>\n

\n\tFilmhounds Magazine editor-in-chief and Tomatometer critic Gavin Spoors praised the film\u2019s third act as \u201cstellar,\u201d writing that it \u201cpulls the rug out underneath you.\u201d \u201cAnchored by terrific performances (Zada is a star), this emotional thriller nails the themes of the cost of revolution and how we all need to play our part,\u201d he wrote on X<\/a>. <\/p>\n

\n\tMatt Neglia, Next Best Picture editor-in-chief, wrote<\/a> that the film \u201cfeatures some of the best casting of the year\u201d in his review. \u201cMany of the actors breathe new life into familiar characters, making them their own, while preserving the qualities that made them so compelling in the first place,\u201d he continued. \u201cGlenn Close, with her horror-inducing face, is a scene-stealer as is Jesse Plemons embodying the spirit of the late great Philip Seymour Hoffman. Joseph Zada<\/a> is beyond impressive in a highly demanding role that pushes him to the limit physically and emotionally, perfectly capturing the essence of Haymitch with all the sympathy, charm and bitterness Woody Harrelson brought to the role. I\u2019m continually blown away by how Francis Lawrence continues to find more layers in this familiar structure thematically and stylistically as the production and costume design continue to be dazzling highlights. If this is to be the end of his time working on these movies, it\u2019s a good way to go out as this latest installment brings the franchise full circle with the character that\u2019s always been the beating heart at its center.\u201d <\/p>\n

\n\t\u201cThe rebellion is sparking with SUNRISE ON THE REAPING,\u201d wrote fellow Next Best Picture editor Lauren LaMagna. \u201cFrancis Lawrence continues to breathe new life into this world. The unique production design doesn\u2019t let familiar beats get too dull. Joseph Zada is heartbreakingly radiant as Haymitch. A star is born role.\u201d <\/p>\n

\n\t\u201cOne of the biggest highlights? Joseph Zada,\u201d wrote Collider\u2019s Perri Nemiroff.<\/a> \u201cI had high hopes for him after watching We Were Liars, but he had my jaw on the floor time and time again during Sunrise on the Reaping. His ability to capture Haymitch\u2019s warmth and charm and then weave that into the rage and heartbreak the Hunger Games sparks is superb. SO much of this movie is on his shoulders, and he soars tackling every ounce of it. This is only the beginning for Zada.\u201d<\/p>\n

\n\tShe continued<\/a>: \u201cBallad of Songbirds and Snakes bolstered my rewatches of the original films, and I have no doubt the same will be true of Sunrise on the Reaping. Sparking real change can take time and demand great sacrifice. This film franchise is better off for having added Haymitch\u2019s.\u201d<\/p>\n

\n\tStatic Media writer Nina Starner also championed Zada\u2019s casting, saying that it \u201ccouldn\u2019t be better.\u201d \u201cThe Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping<\/a> is a worthy addition to the franchise,\u201d she wrote<\/a>. \u201cIt looks and feels terrifyingly real, and it bridges the gap perfectly between the original stories and Ballad. A from me.\u201d<\/p>\n

\n\tBased on Suzanne Collins\u2019 2025 novel \u201cSunrise on the Reaping,\u201d the latest \u201cHunger Games\u201d movie centers on a young Haymitch (Zada, taking over the role from Woody Harrelson) as he fights to survive while competing in the 50th Hunger Games. The cast also features Jesse Plemons as Plutarch, Ralph Fiennes as President Snow, Kieran Culkin as Caesar Flickerman, Elle Fanning as Effie Trinket, Maya Hawke as Wiress and Kelvin Harrison Jr. as Beetee. New characters in the film franchise are played by the likes of Mckenna Grace, Glenn Close and Whitney Peak, among others.<\/p>\n

\n\t\u201cSunrise on the Reaping\u201d takes place 24 years before the start of the first \u201cHunger Games\u201d movie. Frances Lawrence, who has directed every \u201cHunger Games\u201d movie except for the first installment (that was Gary Ross), returns to helm the latest prequel movie. <\/p>\n

\n\tMuch of the buzz surrounding \u201cSunrise on the Reaping\u201d has been related to the franchise returns of Jennifer Lawrence<\/a>, Josh Hutcherson and Harrelson as Katniss, Peeta and Haymitch. Book readers know that Suzanne Collins\u2019 novel ends with a flash-forward epilogue featuring the trio, so it appears the film adaptation is following suit.<\/p>\n

\n\t\u201cIt was unbelievable,\u201d Lawrence said on the \u201cCall Her Daddy\u201d podcast <\/a>about reprising Katniss. \u201cIt was so crazy. It was the same crew. It was the same AD, who I\u2019ve worked with a million times because I love him. And with Josh [Hutcherson] and Woody [Harrelson] \u2026 it was so emotional. Josh and I didn\u2019t walk to the bathroom without our arms around each other. It was so beautiful.\u201d<\/p>\n

\n\t\u201cThe Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping\u201d is set to open in theaters Nov. 20 from Lionsgate. Check out first reactions to the movie below.<\/p>\n

The rebellion is sparking with SUNRISE ON THE REAPING. Francis Lawrence continues to breathe new life into this world. The unique production design doesn\u2019t let familiar beats get too dull. Joseph Zada is heartbreakingly radiant as Haymitch. A star is born role #TheHungerGames<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/ezlJ4PV0cM<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Lauren (@laurenlamango) October 28, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping is a worthy addition to the franchise. Casting is phenomenal (Joseph Zada couldn’t be better), it looks and feels terrifyingly real, and it bridges the gap perfectly between the original stories and Ballad. A from me. pic.twitter.com\/Npl2MxnLYZ<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 nina(delphia) (existential dread version) (@ninastarner) October 28, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

THE HUNGER GAMES: SUNRISE ON THE REAPING features some of the best casting of the year as many of the actors breathe new life into familiar characters, making them their own, while preserving the qualities that made them so compelling in the first place. Glenn Close, with her\u2026 pic.twitter.com\/G2vIUVe8yR<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Matt Neglia (@NextBestPicture) October 28, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

The Hunger Games franchise remains a favorite. THE HUNGER GAMES: SUNRISE ON THE REAPING rocks a ton of stunning craftsmanship, yet another phenomenal cast, and an exhilarating narrative that serves as a powerful reminder that nothing is inevitable and it is possible to break a\u2026 pic.twitter.com\/Hab3Hs0Php<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Perri Nemiroff (@PNemiroff) October 28, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

#TheHungerGames<\/a> Sunrise on the Reaping is the Rogue One\/Andor of the franchise. A sobering, yet powerful story of devastating loss and the necessary cost of rebellion for a sunrise we may never see. As a massive fan of the series and especially this book, I couldn\u2019t have asked\u2026 pic.twitter.com\/EC98k42mQt<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Griffin Schiller (@griffschiller) October 28, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n