Mckenna Grace as Maysilee in Hunger Games Sunrise on the Reaping
By
Angel Shaw
Published 17 minutes ago
Angel Shaw is a Lead Writer and Peer Mentor on ScreenRant's New TV team, covering new-release TV shows across all major streaming platforms. She has been a writer with ScreenRant since 2022 and specializes in Harry Potter, The Lord of the Rings, and fantasy.
Angel holds a bachelor's degree in language interpreting and is passionate about all things culture and communication—especially in how it relates to popular media throughout history (from Shakespeare to Friends to Game of Thrones).
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Warning! This article may contain spoilers for the upcoming Hunger Games movie, Sunrise on the Reaping.
Sunrise on the Reaping introduces the tributes of the 50th Hunger Games, and these characters represent something truly powerful. We discovered back in Catching Fire that Haymitch's games—the Second Quarter Quell—were unique from all the others. It was supposedly determined 50 years prior that this Quell would require double the number of typical tributes. Two children from each District would be sent to the Capital's arena.
According to President Snow, the 48 tributes reaped for the Games were meant to remind Panem that two District rebels died for every one Capital citizen during the Dark Days. However, Suzanne Collins' The Hunger Games books frequently remind us that things are never quite as simple as they seem. These stories are deeply symbolic and poetic, layering meaning over even the smallest moments. In Sunrise of the Reaping, for example, the two dozen tributes parallel other aspects of the story.
The Number Of Tributes In The 50th Hunger Games Is Deeply Significant
The Hunger Games Sunrise on the Reaping arena
There are a variety of meaningful ways we can analyze the 50th Hunger Games' tributes. First, and perhaps the most discussed, is the number of tributes that entered the arena. This was, of course, 48, two from each District. What's a bit rattling is that this is also the number of District 12 tributes that Haymitch had the displeasure of mentoring before the Hunger Games came to an end.
Between Haymitch's Games (50th) and Katniss' first Games (74th), 24 years passed. During that time, two District 12 tributes were reaped each year. So, including Katniss and Peeta, Haymitch mentored 48 children from his home. He was forced to watch 46 of these tributes die, and this happens to be the same number of children killed in the 50th Hunger Games' arena who were actually reaped—both Haymitch and Lou Lou were forced to compete without having had their names drawn.
Of District 12's four victors, only Peeta Mellark was legally reaped. The mayor rigged Lucy Gray's reaping, Haymitch was chosen to replace Woodbine Chance, and Katniss volunteered for her sister.
Finally, we can consider the total number of children who died during the 50th Hunger Games, not just in the arena, but as a direct result of the event. Woodbine Chance was shot and killed when he tried to escape his reaping. Then there is Louella McCoy, who was killed during the tribute parade. Finally, there's little Sid Abernathy, whom Snow killed to punish Haymitch. This means 50 children died that year, one for every year of the Games.
Many Of The Tributes In Sunrise Of The Reaping Parallel Those From The Hunger Games Books
Katniss Kneeling And Looking Shocked In The Hunger GamesImage via Lionsgate
The above numbers may seem like coincidences. However, it's important to remember that Suzanne Collins is a very intentional writer. These numbers are repeated and layered throughout the story to emphasize all that the Districts had lost. It reinforces Haymitch's torment and Snow's vengeance, and creates poetic balance as Katniss and Peeta bring down the games.
Still, this isn't all that the tributes of Sunrise on the Reaping achieved. Through the 50th Hunger Games, we are given glimpses of the stories of future tributes. Most overt is the parallel between Louella and Katniss. In the book, Haymitch says he thought of Louelle the first time he saw Katniss come to the hob with her braided hair.
Next, there is Maisalee Donner, who parallels Joanna Mason. Haymitch initially hated Maisalee for her biting personality. However, he came to see her as a sister, just as Katniss eventually did with Joanna in the Mockingjay book. Ampert is reflected by his father, Beetee. They are both intensely clever and both willing to give their lives to end the games. Haymitch's "doves" reflect little Rue. Even District 1's Silka has a striking parallel with Cato. Haymitch and Katniss both came to recognize that these District 1 tributes were, despite their viciousness, still just children murdered by the Capitol.
There's a painful repetitiveness as the sun rises on each reaping, and more children who all share so much in common are pitted against one another and slaughtered.
Just as with the paralleled numbers in Sunrise on the Reaping, the links between individual tributes emphasize the unending, cruel monotony of the games. There's a painful repetitiveness as the sun rises on each reaping, and more children who all share so much in common are pitted against one another and slaughtered. It's hauntingly beautiful writing.
The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping
Like Follow Followed Action Adventure Sci-Fi Release Date November 20, 2026 Director Francis Lawrence Writers Billy Ray, Suzanne CollinsCast
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Joseph Zada
Haymitch Abernathy
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Mckenna Grace
Maysilee Donner
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Whitney Peak
Lenore Dove Baird
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Jesse Plemons
Plutarch Heavensbee
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Sunrise on the Reaping
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The Hunger Games
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