“The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes” was released on November 17, 2023, following the novel written by Suzanne Collins. Featuring a whole new cast of characters, the film follows how life was like early on in Panem.
“The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes” is a prequel to the original series, “The Hunger Games.” It was first released as a novel, then later turned into a movie, just like the rest of the books. The film follows a young Coriolanus Snow (Tom Blyth) 64 years before Katniss Everdeen’s (Jennifer Lawrence) story. Throughout the story, Snow mentors Lucy Gray Baird (Rachel Zegler), a District 12 tribute for the 10th annual Hunger Games. The origins of Snow’s future presidency is revealed, showing how he became the villain he was in Katniss’s story.
Throughout the movie, the relationship between Lucy Gray and Snow is shown through a mix of teenage love and mistrust. Their relationship is toxic, especially with Snow growing into the villain of the story. It starts with a simple mentoring relationship to help Lucy survive the Hunger Games. They create a bond and slowly develop a romantic relationship. However, throughout the film, Lucy realizes how evil and dangerous Snow is and attempts to run. A mutual distrust is created between them, and it leaves the audience wondering if their relationship was every true love or pure manipulation.
“The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes” highlights Snow’s background and how he became the cold President of Panem. Snow was driven by a need for control and survival. Also, Snow decides to choose control and power over love. Snow only cares about wealth and not losing his family’s status. This proves to the audience and the Districts how evil and uncaring Snow is. Overall, the movie proves the idea that he was not born evil but driven by things that created his toxic and cold-hearted personality.
“The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes” deserves a 4 out of 5 star rating. The film gives an amazing showcase of President Snow’s background and his dark origin story
