First Reactions Single Out Joseph Zada in The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping
Early reactions to The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping are in, and much of the praise lands on one young actor. Variety published the first reactions on October 29, 2026.
The film is the sixth in the Hunger Games series. It is also the second prequel, following 2023's The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes. The story is set during the 50th Hunger Games and centres on Haymitch Abernathy, the character who was played by Woody Harrelson in the earlier films. It adapts the fifth book in the series, Sunrise on the Reaping, which was published on March 18, 2025.
Joseph Zada plays the younger Haymitch. Matt Neglia, editor-in-chief of Next Best Picture, wrote that Zada is "beyond impressive" in the demanding role, capturing the sympathy, charm and bitterness Harrelson brought to the part. Lauren LaMagna, an editor at the same site, called him heartbreakingly radiant and described the role as a star-is-born part. Perri Nemiroff of Collider praised him for capturing Haymitch's warmth, charm, rage and heartbreak. Nina Starner of Static Media said his casting "couldn't be better."
Other critics picked out different strengths. Gavin Spoors, editor-in-chief of Filmhounds Magazine, called the third act "stellar" and wrote that the performances are terrific. Neglia also said the film has some of the best casting of the year, singling out Glenn Close as a scene-stealer and Jesse Plemons for embodying the spirit of Philip Seymour Hoffman. Film critic Griffin Schiller compared the movie to Rogue One and Andor, saying it stands apart within the franchise, and described it as a perfect adaptation.
The cast is large. Reuters reported in September that the film features 48 tributes, and that stunt doubles were used for some of them during production. Reuters carried the details.
Lionsgate releases the film in theaters on November 20, 2026. The studio has said it will be available only in theaters and IMAX, a choice that keeps the film on big screens and away from home viewing at launch. The film's official Facebook page confirmed the release format.
For readers who have followed the series, the reactions point to a film built around its performances and its final stretch. For everyone else, the practical point is simple: the film opens on November 20, and the reactions so far are coming from critics who have already seen it.
