The Hunger Games franchise is back with a bang (and a ballad, some songbirds, and a few snakes). Based on the 2020 release of the same name, Suzanne Collins’s The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes is this year’s must-see film—not only for book lovers—but for anyone who wants to immerse themselves into the world of The Hunger Games again.
Being a long-time lover of the series, and having read the novel The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes just after it was released, this writer may be a little biased when saying that this is a true must-see film. However, the performances, cinematography, soundtrack, and plot make this movie nothing short of a must-see for all.
The film is a prequel to the beloved series, following Coriolanus Snow (Tom Blyth) as an 18-year-old student, before he becomes the vile President Snow that watches over Panem. The 10th annual Hunger Games is upon them, and all of Snow’s classmates are assigned tributes to mentor during the games. Snow is determined to stand out in his class—especially considering the prize money and the fact that he wants to help his family name. When Snow finds out that his mentee is Lucy Gray Baird (Rachel Zegler), the girl from District 12, he sets his mind to ensuring her survival and victory.
The plot moves along with Snow finding ways for Lucy Gray to win the Hunger Games, while also feeding ideas to Dr. Volumnia Gaul (Viola Davis) for how the games can be improved, and fighting with the original creator of the games Casca Highbottom (Peter Dinklage). We get to see Snow battle with good and evil, as he is motivated by his own greed to win. Beyond seeing Snow and his classmates’ relationships and how they evolve, we see his relationship with his closest friend Sejanus (Josh Andrés Rivera), who struggles deeply with the concept of the Hunger Games and the divide between the Capitol and the districts.
Throughout the movie, we see Snow grapple with his ties to his family, friends, and Lucy Gray, and his devotion to the Capitol and the life he planned out for himself. His relationship with Lucy Gray develops as he sets out to protect her and begins falling for her charm—just as she does with him. Since we all know he’s President Snow, it’s not hard to see where this is going, but it’s interesting to see Snow’s backstory and the events that lead up to him becoming who he is, especially since we get to see him before, during, and after the games. By the end of the film, we witness the many twists, betrayals, and lies that shape Snow and his connection with Lucy Gray, who really sees a spark of the good in him even as the darkness takes over.
There are more than a few important references to the rest of the Hunger Games universe, which are mentioned more heavily in the novel but come to fruition on screen in a way that will impact your heart. There are characters who are related to those we come to know, from Seneca Crane to Caesar Flickerman, and it’s fascinating to see how the characters in this film are similar to their descendants. Furthermore, from the mockingjays surrounding Snow, to the katniss plant, to the origins of “The Hanging Tree” song, it’s satisfying to see how these details will one day haunt a future President Snow.
Tom Blyth absolutely stuns as Coriolanus Snow, playing the villain so well that you will definitely grow to loathe him by the end. As far as other standouts in the cast, Hunter Schaefer is amazing as Tigris, Snow’s cousin, in the handful of scenes we spend with the character. Viola Davis proves as always that she’s a force to be reckoned with and commands attention in every scene she’s in.
Of course, there are some details that are left out of the film. There’s only so much that can be packed into 2 hours and 40 minutes. It’s a bit sad to part with any of the book’s moments. If you read the books prior, you’ll mourn the loss of some scenes or tiny tidbits that make the story what it is. It would’ve been nice to see the side characters more and see more moments from the games or between Snow and his closest loved ones. Since they had to pack so much into one movie, there are times when it can feel rushed.
But as a whole, The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes is a wonderful adaptation of the novel, mostly doing justice to the source material and bringing in a new wave of love for such a well-done book series. It helps that the film is directed by Francis Lawrence, who directed most of The Hunger Games movies, including fan-favorite Catching Fire.
If you enjoyed falling into the world building of the books, unpacking the important commentary Collins makes, or are interested in the lore behind the classic character we’ve come to hate, you’ll find that The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes is truly music to your ears.
The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes is now playing in theaters.
