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Some fans are lucky enough to have already seen Francis Lawrence’s new dystopian thriller The Hunger Games: Mockingjay, which hits theaters on November 20, 2026. If early reactions are to be believed, Sunrise could turn out to be another huge hit for the Hunger Games film franchise. We were pretty excited when we talked about “Sunrise” when the first trailer came out.
“Sunrise” takes place after the events of Lawrence’s 2023 film “The Hunger Games: The Song of Birds and Snakes,” but 24 years before the original 2012 “Hunger Games” film. “Sunrise” deals with the plight of Haymitch Abernathy (Joseph Zada), a character played by Woody Harrelson in the previous four “Hunger Games” films.
/The film’s own Nina Starner got the party started on her Twitter/X account, saying that she loved Zada in the role and how “Sunrise” connected with the films later in the “Hunger” timeline. He wrote:
“The Hunger Games: Mockingjay” is a worthy addition to the franchise. The casting is phenomenal (Joseph Zada is no better), it looks and feels eerily real, and it fills the gap between the original stories and The Ballad perfectly. “A” from me.”
It should be noted that when you look at the cast of “Sunrise,” you’ll find that Harrelson is credited, along with original movie stars Jennifer Lawrence and Josh Hutcherson. Lawrence even commented on his return to the series. So yes, this movie will tie directly into the upcoming Hunger Games timeline.
Other “Sunrise” fans chimed in on Twitter/X as well, and they weren’t just there to rant. Based on some of these thoughtful posts, people aren’t just cheering for the “sunrise”; They seem to be provoked by it.
Early reactions to Sunrise Reaping
Box office forecasters may want to raise their predictions after similar early reactions. Griffin Schiller, one of the Filmspeak team members, compared The Hunger Games: Mockingjay favorably to the Star Wars film Rogue One and its prequel series Andor, saying it was a story of devastating loss and rebellion at the necessary cost. He also said that Joseph Zada was “a revelation” who was “charismatic, lovable, gentle and honest” who perfectly portrayed Haymitch’s character. Schiller then analyzed the film’s themes, writing:
Like the book, the film challenges our implicit submission and acceptance of terms we never agreed to when the odds are in our favor. He sympathizes with how easy it is to feel hopeless and apathetic about the world today, how futile resistance seems, but insists that every act of defiance paves the way for future change. Narrative not because this change is immediate, but because we have other choices?”
Schiller also noted that director Francis Lawrence has “always distinguished himself by wanting to disrupt the system in light of our growing nihilism, and Sunrise allows him to explore that tension more directly and to greater effect.” High praise indeed.
If anyone was worried that “Sunrise” was being made just for the fans — it’s based on a hit novel and, after all, the sixth film in the series — know that this movie has some thought and focus.
The hits keep coming
The Next Best Film’s Matthew Negalia posted about “Rise of the Harvest” to praise its casting. He wrote that “Zada impresses in a highly demanding role that pushes her to the limit physically and emotionally.”
Daws on Screen’s account wrote that “Sunrise” was the follow-up to “Catching Fire” that they had always wanted. “This is a near-perfect Hunger Games movie that’s more brutal than you’d imagine. Joseph Zada portrays a more hopeful Haymitch that I admired in the Haymitch we know and love.”
Perry Nemiroff of Collider stated that the film “features plenty of stunning craftsmanship, another phenomenal cast, and a riveting narrative that serves as a powerful reminder that nothing is inevitable and that a bad car can be hacked.” He also praised Zada’s performance, noting that the film rests on her shoulders and that “she flies and fights with every ounce”.
Lyra Hale, editor of Fangirlish, tweeted that the fan montage of this movie would definitely “kill me.” He continued, “Joseph Zada as Haymitch gave me an emotional handshake. He was crying half the time, and I fell in love with McKenna Grace all over again.” Grace plays a character named Maisie Donner in the movie Sunrise.
Lauren LaMagna, editor of Next Best Picture, wrote that “Francis Lawrence continues to breathe new life into this world. Unique production design keeps familiar beats from getting too boring.”
And critic Clotilda Chinici posted that Sunrise will make you cry and that it is “the best ‘Hunger Games’ yet. Beautiful cinematography and sets with great acting, especially from Joseph Zada, who portrays the most tragic story in the Hunger Games franchise.”
Yes, it’s all very well.
