The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes (2023)

The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes is a tense, atmospheric prequel to The Hunger Games that follows a young Coriolanus Snow years before he becomes Panem’s ruthless president. Set during the 10th Hunger Games, the film pairs a proud but impoverished Capitol scion (Tom Blyth) with Lucy Gray Baird (Rachel Zegler), a charismatic tribute from poor District 12. When Lucy Gray’s charm and performance skills capture the nation’s attention, Coriolanus sees a slim chance to restore his family’s fortunes — and finds himself drawn into a dangerous, morally ambiguous partnership. Viewers can expect a mix of political intrigue, psychological drama, and survival spectacle. The movie balances quieter character moments — a developing, complicated bond between mentor and tribute, moral compromises, and questions of identity and power — with the grim, unpredictable violence and spectacle of the Games. The period setting and Capitol/District contrasts are vividly realized, emphasizing class, propaganda, and the fragile social order of post-war Panem. Tonally darker and more intimate than the later Hunger Games films, the story explores how ambition, loyalty, and manipulation shape a future tyrant. Music and performance play a notable role (Lucy Gray’s singing and showmanship are central), adding an eerie, theatrical layer to the narrative. Expect strong lead performances, polished production design, and emotional moments that complicate simple “hero vs. villain” readings. If you see this movie you’ll experience a slow-burn origin tale that’s as much about character and ideology as it is about action: stylish visuals and tense set pieces interwoven with unsettling moral choices, political maneuvering, and an intimate, tragic relationship that foreshadows the dark world to come.

Actors: Rachel Zegler, Tom Blyth, Viola Davis

Director: Francis Lawrence

Genres: Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi

54 /100 6.7 /10 6.0 /10