Mckenna Grace Shares Her Review of ‘The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping’
It isn’t every day that an actor reviews a film they star in, but McKenna Grace isn’t shy about her feelings for ‘The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping‘. The actress plays Maysilee Donner, one of the central figures in the prequel, and she has now publicly given it full marks. The McKenna Grace review of the film is short, personal and a little spoiler-tinged.
The movie premiered in London on October 28, and early reactions have been glowing. Several critics who saw it early have called it the best entry in the franchise, which makes Grace’s own reaction an interesting addition to the conversation.
Grace logged the film on Letterboxd with a top rating, marking it as a rewatch on October 29. She tagged it as seen in theaters, as one that made her cry and as watched with her mom. The review has already gathered hundreds of likes.
Her written comment was brief. She said her favorite part was a moment when Haymitch concedes that Maysilee was right. For anyone who hasn’t seen the film, that line is a satisfying hint at the emotional bond between the two District 12 tributes.
Maysilee Donner is a tribute from District 12, Haymitch’s sharp-witted ally in the arena, and the original owner of the Mockingjay pin. That makes her one of the most important figures in Panem lore, since the pin connects her story to Katniss Everdeen. Grace was cast opposite Joseph Zada’s Haymitch and Whitney Peak’s Lenore Dove Baird in April 2025.
The role came with heavy expectations. Speaking to The Hollywood Reporter at the UK launch, Grace said the fanbase’s warm response to her casting meant a lot, since she wasn’t sure she liked herself as Maysilee. She added that the part felt daunting, given how much the franchise means to her.
Grace has also spoken about how hard she worked to keep elements from Suzanne Collins’ novel in the film. She fought to include Maysilee’s trademark braid, her proper dining posture and her Mockingjay and hummingbird pins. She also made sure Maysilee’s love of coffee appeared in scenes, though one battle over the necklaces she made herself didn’t go her way.
That devotion shows in the early praise. Collider’s Perri Nemiroff described Grace as a total pro at establishing Maysilee’s simmering ferocity while letting her composure crack just enough. Other critics have singled her out alongside Zada and Jesse Plemons for especially powerful performances.
Grace’s involvement goes beyond acting. Letterboxd’s listing for the film credits songs from Noah Kahan, Gigi Perez and Grace herself, which suggests she contributes musically as well. That fits the franchise’s tradition of weaving music into its storytelling.
It also adds to the sense that the cast is invested in the project. Fans have already noticed how personal the film seems to be for its young stars.
Witness the beginning of the revolution. #TheHungerGames: Sunrise on the Reaping – in theaters & IMAX November 20. https://t.co/fKCrWXIk3T
— The Hunger Games (@TheHungerGames) September 16, 2026
‘The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping’ follows 16-year-old Haymitch as he enters the 50th Hunger Games, known as the Second Quarter Quell, forming an alliance with Maysilee and joining a coalition against the Capitol. Ralph Fiennes plays President Snow, and the ensemble includes Elle Fanning, Kieran Culkin, Glenn Close, Maya Hawke and Kelvin Harrison Jr. Jennifer Lawrence and Josh Hutcherson are reported to appear as Katniss and Peeta.
The film opens on November 20, with forecasts putting its domestic opening at $55 million to $65 million, though some trackers think it could go much higher. Strong word of mouth from the cast and critics could help that number climb.
Cast members rarely say much about their own films before release, so Grace’s review gives fans a more candid peek behind the curtain. It also suggests the emotional core of the film lands, even for someone who has seen every scene being made. A rewatch that made her cry is a good sign for audiences.
With less than a month to go, the buzz is only growing. Grace’s review adds one more reason to expect a strong debut.
What are you most excited to see in Sunrise on the Reaping?
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