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Higher education professional by day, writer and pop culture enthusiast by night. When he isn't writing for The Cinema Spot, Tristian can be found creating content for his YouTube and TikTok pages, or working on the young adult novel he has been trying to finish for the last three years.
When one watches The Hunger Games trilogy, it’s undeniable that Donald Sutherland’s President Coriolanus Snow is a fascinating, frightening, and entertaining villain for the series’ heroine Katniss Everdeen to overcome. His calm but sinister presence and threats loomed over the lives of the main characters in that story and the various residents of the post-apocalyptic districts of Panem. Sutherland portrayed him as ruthless, unforgiving, and adamant about maintaining the repressive status quo.
Discussion
In the new Hunger Games film, The Ballad Of Songbirds and Snakes, viewers go back in time to explore the origin of this sinister figure. Tom Blyth steps into the role of teenage Coriolanus, a sharp and ambitious student determined not to let the loss of his family’s fortune prevent him from making something of himself in Panem’s Capitol. The film opens on the day of the Reaping for the 10th Hunger Games competition. Coriolanus and his classmates are shocked to discover that they will be mentors to the fresh crop of tributes. Much to Snow’s chagrin, he’s assigned to District 12’s tribute, an ethereal songbird named, Lucy Gray Baird (Rachel Zegler). What unfolds between the two of them before, during, and after the Games will transform Snow into the terrifying figure whom fans and viewers will come to despise during the original trilogy of films.
The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes is a nice mixture of dark academic, action, intrigue, and doomed romance. Those looking for the non-stop action of the original series may be disappointed to discover that most of the action is contained in the film’s second act. What comes before and after is more cerebral and akin to a twisty political thriller than a survival action thriller. There is plenty of deception and manipulation as Snow tries to maneuver himself into a position that will benefit him best. As his family motto states, “Snow lands on top”, and that’s just what Coriolanus intends to do.
The Leads of The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes
Although Snow wouldn’t be most people’s first choice in deserving a prequel, the story masterfully illustrates how easy it is for a person to be corrupted by their ambition and hubris, even when they know at heart the path they own is going to destroy what little empathy and humanity they possess. Blyth’s serene face adds a nice irony to the fact that his character is spiraling down a dark path with little hope of salvation. The actor’s performance moves between conceited, love-sick, and manipulative in a way that will leave viewers wondering what is happening in his head at any given moment.
Rachel Zegler, as the quirky, kind, and determined Lucy Gray Baird will leave viewers rooting for her character’s survival. Zegler infuses the character with a mixture of strength and vulnerability that is palpable and endearing. She senses the potential goodness in Coriolanus from the moment she meets him and does her best to make him see it as well. The film makes it a point to highlight Zegler’s impressive vocal skills. This specific ability is used to help endear her character to the callous audience in the Capitol. There’s a moment during which Lucy sings in the face of imminent death. In any other film, would have come off as silly and contrived. However, this film pulls it off masterfully, leaving viewers with chills.
Blyth and Zegler’s chemistry is noteworthy and highly palpable during their scenes. Viewers will see the latter’s character desperately trying to help the former’s believe in the good she sees in him. Tragically, viewers will also see the chilling moment when Lucy’s belief dies. Here, she realizes that she’s dealing with someone who doesn’t want to or can’t be saved.
The Supporting Cast
The leads aren’t the only talented actors worth mentioning in this film. Viola Davis (The Suicide Squad, The Woman King) delights as the sinisterly clever Dr. Gaul. Gaul is a mad scientist and the head Gamemaker of the 10th Hunger Games. It’s evident from the beginning of the film that she has a particular interest in the future president of Panem and acts a devil on his shoulder throughout the film. Davis is having so much fun in this role, and it’s obvious and evident. She expertly embodies the delightfully wicked nature of her character.
Peter Dinklage (Game of Thrones, X-Men: Days of Future Past, Avengers: Infinity War, The Toxic Avenger), as Casca “Cas” Highbottom, dean of The Academy, is surprisingly one of the more sympathetic characters. A former friend of Coriolanus’s father, Highbottom mistreats the young Snow every chance he gets. It becomes clear throughout the story that Snow’s father had a hand in creating the Games and Highbottom resents himself and Snow’s father for helping initiate the cruel punishment. Highbottom is constantly drunk to dull his guilt.
Another performance worth mentioning is Josh Andrés Rivera as Sejanus Plinth. This character’s family was able to buy their way out of the districts to rise to the upper echelons of the Capitol. Plinth carries a lot of guilt and anxiety about the fact that he is now able to look down on those he once communed with. This turns particularly dark when he must mentor one of his former classmates in the upcoming Games. Rivera’s portrayal of his role is as endearing as it is tragic. Serjanus is fighting against a system he is now part of without hope of making a difference.
Hunger Schafer, Jason Schwartzman, Fionnula Flanagan, and Burn Gorman round out the cast and are all excellent in their roles.
The Final Say on The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes
When it’s all said and done, The Ballad Of Songbirds and Snakes is a thrilling prequel to the original Hunger Games trilogy. It gives viewers a fascinating look into the life of the original series villain.
Would you like to read up on the source material? If so, then purchase a physical copy of Suzanne Collins’s 2020 novel via Amazon today!
Higher education professional by day, writer and pop culture enthusiast by night. When he isn't writing for The Cinema Spot, Tristian can be found creating content for his YouTube and TikTok pages, or working on the young adult novel he has been trying to finish for the last three years.
This article was edited by John Tangalin.