THE HUNGER GAMES: THE BALLAD OF SONGBIRDS AND SNAKES (2023) – Review by Nara Ekhsigian, High School Mentorship Program

Posted by awfj-admin on Nov 3, 2025 | 0 comments

Birds watch from the trees as the boy, who would eventually become responsible for the deaths of hundreds of children, violently searches for the girl who would haunt him until he dies. He yells into the woods as he tries to murder the girl he thought he loved—until she, in his eyes, betrayed him. The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes (2023) is the haunting origin story to President Snow, the dictator of Panem, seen in the original four Hunger Games films. Directed by Francis Lawrence, it is a gripping movie that can stand on its own, apart from the previous series. Tom Blyth as young Coriolanus Snow brings to life the future villain brilliantly captured in Suzanne Collins’ novel The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes.

Still set in the dystopian nation of Panem, The Hunger Games is not the grand spectacle that it is 64 years into the future in the original Jennifer Lawrence franchise, when Snow is the President of Panem. Here, in the 10th annual game, the districts continue to be punished for their war against the Capitol. This Panem, production designed by Uli Hanisch, reflects the time period difference between this film and the original series, creating a refreshing new look completely its own. He uses a mid-century modern aesthetic to create a post-war Panem, inspired by the architecture of post-war Germany after World War II. It is cold and gray, with exposed concrete, and appears to have brutalist architecture inspirations, too.

Also emulating the past, the folk songs sung by tribute and love interest, Lucy Gray Baird (Rachel Zegler) call back to real-world songs such as Marty Robbins’s The Streets of Laredo. Zegler’s vocals add a refreshing touch to the world, full of life, in stark contrast to Snow. She is the warmth that Snow lacks, the hope and longing for freedom that he tries to vanquish when he becomes the President of Panem.

The production design in combination with a breathtaking score by James Newton Howard, adds to Tom Blyth’s performance of young Snow. With subtle facial expressions, conveying his unspoken thoughts, Blyth is able to subtly convey Snow’s deadly narcissism. Cinematographer Jo Willems cleverly points the camera upward at him to alienate him from the audience, creating distance from him. The question is not if he has redeemable qualities, but when he will snap and evolve into the dictator that he will become. It is a riveting film to watch, maintaining engagement for the entirety of its run, and thoroughly fascinating to witness.

What makes a villain, a villain? How far are you willing to go, even if you betray others along the way to reach your goals? Where is the line? The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes presents an alternate perspective to the beloved franchise and asks a greater question to the world at large: who do we become if we do not fight against injustice? While it is the backstory to a horrific dictator, it is also a warning for our society. An upcoming prequel film is set to be released in 2026. The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping will cover the 50th games, will further display Snow’s atrocities, and show just how far he is willing to go to maintain power. May the odds be ever in your favor.