The Hunger Games Just Set Up the Franchise’s Most Gruesome Death (& Made It Even Worse)

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The Hunger Games stands out for its grim tone, especially for a young adult series. The basic idea – a government forcing people to fight to the death for amusement – is chilling. But the story doesn’t limit the cruelty to the arena or the Capitol city. Those living under Panem’s oppressive rule also make questionable decisions, often harming loved ones in their attempts to rebel. This is exemplified when Gale Hawthorne authorizes an attack on the Capitol that tragically results in the death of Katniss’s sister, Primrose.

The loss of Prim deeply impacts Katniss, especially since Prim was the reason Katniss initially volunteered for the Hunger Games. Thankfully, Katniss has strong support from Peeta Mellark and Haymitch Abernathy, who understands her pain because of his own difficult past. We’ll see more of Haymitch’s story in the new movie, The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping, which is expected to feature the most disturbing death in the entire series.

The following contains spoilers for The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping.

Haymitch’s Story Is Finally Coming to the Big Screen

From the start, Haymitch, introduced to Katniss and Peeta in The Hunger Games, seems like a complex character. While he’s a past victor – a fact that clearly haunts him – he’s also withdrawn and often numbs his pain with alcohol, keeping his distance from those around him. But when the rebellion against the Capitol heats up, he becomes focused and determined, revealing a deep-seated resentment towards those in power. Sunrise on the Reaping takes us back to Haymitch’s younger years, showing him as a struggling citizen of District 12. The story details how he was selected as a tribute in a particularly brutal Hunger Games known as the second Quarter Quell.

Haymitch faces long odds in the Games because with twice as many tributes, everyone is overlooking District 12. To improve his chances, he forms an alliance with Ampert Latier, the son of a past victor, Beetee, who has publicly criticized the Capitol. Ampert is involved due to his father’s actions, but he’s a genuinely kind person. Despite his gentle nature, he agrees to help his father’s plan to disrupt the Games by tampering with the water supply. However, the plan doesn’t go as expected, and the consequences deeply affect both Beetee and Haymitch.

Ampert Latier Doesn’t Get a Happy Ending in Sunrise on the Reaping

Haymitch and Ampert risk everything to find the arena’s water supply and plant explosives, hoping everyone is distracted. However, the Gamemakers anticipate their move and unleash dangerous creatures, specifically targeting Ampert. He is tragically killed, forcing Haymitch to flee. This is the most brutal scene in the story, and the film adaptation intends to remain faithful to this shocking moment from the book.

The new trailer for Sunrise on the Reaping shows a significant connection between Haymitch and Ampert, hinting that their relationship will be central to the film. Seeing Percy Daggs IV as Ampert really emphasizes how young he is – Daggs was only 12 when he got the part, which is also Ampert’s age when he’s chosen for the Games. It’s heartbreaking to think someone so young should be facing such danger and tragedy. That’s the reality of The Hunger Games, but it’s somewhat comforting to know that Ampert’s sacrifice ultimately motivates others to strive for a better world.

The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping hits theaters on November 20, 2026.

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2025-11-21 20:41