Fans hungry for November release film prequel

DARCEY-MAY GAGE sheds light on the much anticipated The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping

The Hunger Games franchise, written by genius Susanne Collins, continues to expand, with the upcoming release of Sunrise on the Reaping in movie theatres in November. The book was released in November 2025, after years of fans wanting the story of how Haymitch Abernathy - Katniss Everdeen’s mentor - managed to survive the 50th quarter quell, where double the amount of victors were in the arena, and the cost that it brought him.

  If you’re unfamiliar with the concept of The Hunger Games, allow me to bring you up to speed. Having been taught about civil wars through her childhood, Collins’ young adult novels help inform teens about governments, corrupt politics and bring to light how much violence can be shed for the sake of greed and power.

Background to The Hunger Games

The world of the novels and movies tells the story of the post-apocalyptic future of the nation of Panem, in the ruins of North America, where a civil war between the ruling city Capitol and its 13 districts, leaves District 13 destroyed and the rest weakened. In the Hunger Games a boy and a girl (between the ages 12 to 18) were to be reaped from their districts once a year, forced into an arena where they fight to the death leaving only one victor. President Coriolanus Snow, as mentioned in his own book Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes (released in theatres November 2024), helped create the betting system,

sponsors to the tributes to make the games more entertaining to those watching in the Capitol. Who’s hungry for revenge or hungry for hope? Hungry for violence or hungry to survive?

Whilst we don’t strictly have the ‘hunger games’ in our own reality, we have been and still are faced with global poverty, famine, social hierarchy and wars which continue to affect younger generations. The Hunger Games is simply an exaggerated dystopia of what humanity does in the time of wars and revolutions, a criticism of extreme capitalism and communism.

Who is main character Haymitch Abernathy?

Known for his inability to be sober, Haymitch Abernathy first appears us a sloppy drunk, leaving Katniss Everdeen and Peeta Mellark feeling disheartened at their mentor. How would they win the games if he was always intoxicated?

  But it comes as a surprise when he finally “sobered” up, once Katniss scores an 11 during her training (the scale is 1-12, 1 being the lowest meaning no threat/ no chance at survival, and 12 being the highest threat). These scores would help curate sponsors and help the longevity of being alive in the arena. Throughout the rest of the main trilogy, Haymitch acts as a guide to Katniss, helping her become the Mockingjay to the revolution. Without spoiling Sunrise on the Reaping, Haymitch’s story goes deeper than his alcohol-dependency. It is a story of love and loss, fight and rage, and attempts at revolution.  

The story addresses how the temptation to rely on alcohol is understandable if you had spent weeks fighting in an arena, killing like-bodied children, trying to be a victor when really you’re just a pawn of entertainment. Haymitch says he wouldn’t let them use his tears for entertainment, in the arena or out of it, so his inebriated state keeps him from crying and no one would bother the drunk man.

 Film expectations

Fans are speculating connections between the original trilogy/films and Sunrise on the Reaping. For instance, how much did Collins map out Haymitch’s story before she wrote the prequel or are any connections simply coincidences? From the nickname ‘Sweetheart’ to the alliances formed in Catching Fire, the Mockingjay pin belonging to Maysilee before it found Katniss, from young Haymitch never drinking much to the victor Hyamitch always having a glass in his hand, fans are patiently waiting to see how Haymitch’s games play out on screen. 

The 2nd Quarter Quell arena is described as a breathtaking paradise, where everything in it is a trap. The trailer has already shown clips of the set up and it doesn’t look disappointing.

Successful adaptations

It’s never a surprise when films are not 100% accurately adapted from the books, but The Hunger Games has never disappointed. It is almost impossible to faithfully adapt a book, but the Hunger Games creators always listen to fan ideas and desires, such as having Elle Fanning as the ineffable Effie Trinket. The casting is what really makes a film, whether they are true to the book or play them correctly, and as far as I’m concerned there has been no rage at the cast choices.

  It is enjoyable to see mementos from the book and references to the original trilogy through the Sunrise on the Reaping press tour, especially Mckenna Grace’s tributes to Katniss Everdeen’s dresses. Even the braid from the fan recreation of Haymitch’s games from the Catching Fire description is spotted in Maysilee’s hair in the trailer.

Book your tickets!

I know my tickets will be booked as soon as the film is released! I cannot wait to see how the book that I finished in a day and left me sobbing comes to life on the big screen.

The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping is scheduled for release in UK cinemas on 20 November 2026

Written by DARCEY-MAY GAGE (BA Creative Writing student, University of Chester, UK)