Hate To Love You

starring: HANNAH LOWERY & BLAKE MANNING

After a devastating senior year of high school, Kennedy made two rules for herself. 1. No one will know she's related to her brother and 2. She will never fall for another one of her brother's rivals.

REVIEW

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Well done @reelshortapp

We have come a long way since last summer, when Don't Miss Me When I'm Gone went viral - yes people loved it but some disturbing stuff with the violence, and fact a lot of young viewers wanted Daisy to end up with toxic Dylon rather than Owen. I'm not expecting verts to change or save the world, but there has to be some consideration and level of responsibility in storytelling

This delivers - because things are not minimised. There is a SA storyline, that is pretty well handled. This is huge tbh, for too long verts have trivialized this. Perhaps helped by the fact the source material is a book, but well done all the writers for making sure it is done with care.

And this is definitely my favourite @hannahloweryofficial role - because she finally has more to do than get bullied or intimacy scenes. She is super in the scenes confronting Carruthers, and speaking up for all girls, and also when with Casey, both sensitive and self aware

@keiva.bradley is also superb as Casey - don't worry when you think the story has moved on to quickly, it hasn't. Also so refreshing to see a bullying scene where a participant feels bad about it. Can't believe I am writing this but progress

One of the things about the plethora of YA verts is that it is giving lots of new people opportunities, and @blakemanning is another great find. Yes he has a model background but he can act. And brings something a bit different, a softer male lead who can throw a punch when needed, but adds a new dimension. He is very good in the scenes where he is trying to convince Kennedy that he likes her, and finds out what the football team has done. Also a cute smile that will launch a few fandoms

As is @cartermoczan as Gage. The character becomes more interesting as the story goes on, he seems one dimensional and then you realize he is feeling very guilty about what happened with Parker, trying his best and genuinely hurt when Kennedy attacks him

This vertical feels much more like a YA romance novel, echoes of Elle Kennedy here, and finds something a little new to say in YA verts, rather than the endless tutoring / step brother storylines

Well done all.

💖 Top swoonworthy moment:

Lots but it comes down to this: "I'm not good at letting people in" "But you can let me in" "Clarke you're already in. You're so far in".

🦹🏼‍♂️ Top villain award:

Parker - because he does a number on Kennedy. And this shows how much this sort of trauma can impact people - we have consequences here, and real emotions. Also Carruthers for clear reasons.

😂 Comedy gold:

The towel incident on the balcony, with both Gage and Shay push me pull you poor Kennedy as they try to cover her up.

🎺 Unsung hero:

It is a big thing to write this - a vertical which deals with Sexual Assault in a responsible way, and doesn't minimise or trivialise it. This is a massive step forward to more considered storytelling. Also the fact that Becca and Abby come through for Casey.

✍🏼 DETAILS

Director: Heyi Pan | 2026

Available on Reelshort