The first reactions to The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping have started appearing on social media after the film held its London premiere on Wednesday, Oct. 28.
Full critics' reviews are not expected until closer to the film's Nov. 20 theatrical release. Even so, Lionsgate is allowing people who attended the Oct. 28 screenings to post limited reactions, a sign that the studio feels confident about the latest chapter in the franchise.
Sunrise on the Reaping is a direct sequel to 2023's The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes. Both films are prequels to the main Hunger Games series, which Lionsgate released from 2012 to 2015. Counting the new film, the franchise totals six movies.
The story centers on 16-year-old Haymitch Abernathy, played by Joseph Zada, a resident of District 12. It opens on the morning of the reaping for the 50th Annual Hunger Games, also known as the Second Quarter Quell. That edition is described as the biggest Games yet, with twice as many tributes.
According to the official synopsis, the film is set in Panem 24 years before the events of The Hunger Games. Haymitch enters the arena and forms an unlikely alliance with fellow tribute Maysilee Donner, played by Mckenna Grace. He also joins a coalition determined to challenge the Capitol's control under President Snow, played by Ralph Fiennes.
The synopsis says Haymitch "risks everything to take down the Games from within the arena," setting in motion the rebellion that will change Panem forever.
The ensemble cast also includes Jesse Plemons, Glenn Close, Kieran Culkin, Elle Fanning, Maya Hawke, Whitney Peak and Kelvin Harrison Jr.
Francis Lawrence directed the film, which is based on Suzanne Collins' best-selling novel of the same name. The screenplay was written by Billy Ray and Michael Lesslie.
