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Movie Review: The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Snowbirds & Snakes

A grim storyline paired with brutality and bloodshed involving teens offers families plenty of reasons to pass on this Hunger Games prequel.

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The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes First Reviews: Great Action and a Strong Cast, but a Bit Overstuffed

Critics say the franchise prequel benefits from its talented leads — particularly rachel zegler — and spectacular action sequences, but its epic runtime makes for pacing issues..

TAGGED AS: First Reviews , Hunger Games , movies

Here’s what critics are saying about The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes :

Does the prequel live up to the franchise?

“ The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes is a delightful and expansive reentry into the world of Panem… Fans will not be disappointed.” – Lauren LaMagna, Next Best Picture

“ The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes is a worthy addition to the Hunger Games series.” – Rachel LaBonte, Screen Rant

“ The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes is a brutal, winning return for the series.” – Ian Sandwell, Digital Spy

“ The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes feels like a natural extension of the saga, balancing bloodsport, endangered young love, and a heightened level of political commentary that respects the intelligence of young audiences as only Collins can.” – Peter Debruge, Variety

“There are few compelling reasons for the new installment to exist.” – David Rooney, Hollywood Reporter

(Photo by Murray Close/©Lionsgate)

Can fans expect anything new?

“We all know where this is headed — Snow’s destined to become Panem’s authoritarian ‘president’ — but there’s still enormous room for surprise and debate, even among readers of Collins’s prequel.” – Peter Debruge, Variety

“If the structure is familiar (the build-up to the games, the games, and then the aftermath), then the setting adds a fresh perspective.” – Ian Sandwell, Digital Spy

Will it help to have read the book?

“Readers of the book will have a better understanding of the power structure of Panem’s Capitol, though the uninitiated may find themselves wondering who exactly is in charge.” – Peter Debruge, Variety

Is Rachel Zegler’s Lucy Gray a worthy new Hunger Games lead?

“Rachel Zegler is feisty and appealing, pointedly summoning echoes of Katniss.” – David Rooney, Hollywood Reporter

“Rachel Zegler represents a cross between Jennifer Lawrence’s selfless hero, Katniss Everdeen, from the original films; the beguiling gypsy Esmeralda of Victor Hugo’s imagination; and a pop icon like Taylor Swift, who brings people together.” – Peter Debruge, Variety

“Zegler plays Lucy Gray with a mischievous gleam and defiant stance, instantly making her as formidable as Katniss, and almost as iconic.” – Rachel LaBonte, Screen Rant

“Lucy Gray isn’t Katniss, her strength is her music not a bow, yet she’s no less captivating as a lead.” – Ian Sandwell, Digital Spy

“Zegler doesn’t quite contain the ebullient spirit of Lucy Gray.” – Emily Zemler, Observer

What about Tom Blyth’s young Coriolanus Snow?

“Blyth is a canny actor and he’s easy to watch. His take on the character is complex — perhaps even more than the script contains — and it’s compelling to follow Coriolanus’s internal struggle on Blyth’s face as the events unfold.” – Emily Zemler, Observer

“With fair hair and calculating eyes, Blyth sinks into the role of the young Snow, a man who cares little for the Districts and its people, with ease.” – Rachel LaBonte, Screen Rant

How are the other new characters?

“Viola Davis, in her portrayal of Head Game Maker Dr. Volumnia Gaul, infuses the film with a wickedly captivating performance.” – Lauren LaMagna, Next Best Picture

“As an archvillain, [Viola Davis’s character] is too campy to be disturbing but not sufficiently so to be fun.” – David Rooney, Hollywood Reporter

“Jason Schwartzman is hilarious as Lucretius ‘Lucky’ Flickerman.” – Emily Zemler, Observer

How is the action?

“The 10th Hunger Games are a far, far cry from the high-tech spectacle that Katniss finds herself in, and part of the excitement in The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes comes from watching these humble beginnings.” – Rachel LaBonte, Screen Rant

“The Hunger Games is the best part of the film: a terrifying and nail-biting experience that will leave you on the edge of your seat until a victor is called.” – Lauren LaMagna, Next Best Picture

“Francis Lawrence handles the arena action with the required energy.” – David Rooney, Hollywood Reporter

Does the movie overstay its welcome?

“Hollywood has long since decided that audiences like their blockbusters bloated, and Ballad is but the latest to over-deliver.” – Peter Debruge, Variety

“ The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes is long, which means that it sometimes lags.” – Emily Zemler, Observer

“With a massively overlong runtime, the film occasionally struggles with pacing issues, especially within the third act, where there is a distinct shift in narrative tone.” – Lauren LaMagna, Next Best Picture

“The movie loses some of its steam when it hits part three, which is unfortunate because it should hold some of the most emotional beats of the entire story.” – Rachel LaBonte, Screen Rant

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The hunger games: the ballad of songbirds and snakes, common sense media reviewers.

Standout performances in violent villain origin story.

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this movie.

Has several cynical, Machiavellian, and absolutist

Lucy Gray is brave, smart, talented. Sejanus is em

Main character Coriolanus (Tom Blyth) is a White m

Lots of violence, mostly perpetrated by Capitol pe

Coriolanus and Lucy Gray hold hands, hug, nearly k

Insults like "savages," "trash."

Nothing on camera, but many tie-in franchise produ

Adults and young adults drink at receptions and in

Parents need to know that The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes is adapted from Suzanne Collins' same-named prequel to the epic Hunger Games franchise. It's a villain origin story that introduces viewers to 18-year-old Coriolanus Snow (Tom Blyth) six decades before he becomes the diabolical President Snow of the…

Positive Messages

Has several cynical, Machiavellian, and absolutist themes, since it's ultimately about a future sociopathic dictator. But also a message that, even in extreme circumstances, people can keep true to their moral compass, even as others learn that they'll do anything they have to -- not only to survive, but to get ahead.

Positive Role Models

Lucy Gray is brave, smart, talented. Sejanus is empathetic, kind, selfless, but also naive and reckless in his activism. Coriolanus is disciplined, intelligent, ambitious -- but also deceitful, cunning, and willing to murder, not just in self-defense. He betrays people who considered him a friend and prioritizes his prospects above his relationships.

Diverse Representations

Main character Coriolanus (Tom Blyth) is a White man, but other key characters are Black, Asian, and Latino (including co-star Rachel Zegler). Noticeable disability representation among the tributes, including one who has Down syndrome and others who have eye and limb differences. Although the story is primarily focused on Coriolanus, Lucy Gray (Zegler) has agency in her actions, particularly in the last third of the movie. And Dr. Gaul (Viola Davis) is a woman of immense power.

Did we miss something on diversity? Suggest an update.

Violence & Scariness

Lots of violence, mostly perpetrated by Capitol peacekeepers and the teen Hunger Games tributes. Two children see a man about to hack parts off of a dead body for food. The tributes kill one another with spears, axes, knives, chains, and clubs, as well as poison. Real and engineered snakes bite different people to the point of injury or death. People are executed via hanging or shooting. A young man is strung up and left to die. One character mercy-kills another. People are tortured (off camera) in prison. Explosions leave characters injured or killed. A character repeatedly shoots a gun to kill birds and to hurt another character.

Did you know you can flag iffy content? Adjust limits for Violence & Scariness in your kid's entertainment guide.

Sex, Romance & Nudity

Coriolanus and Lucy Gray hold hands, hug, nearly kiss, and eventually kiss. They embrace, cuddle, and caress each other, but only briefly. A few scenes of Coriolanus shirtless while showering or changing.

Did you know you can flag iffy content? Adjust limits for Sex, Romance & Nudity in your kid's entertainment guide.

Did you know you can flag iffy content? Adjust limits for Language in your kid's entertainment guide.

Products & Purchases

Nothing on camera, but many tie-in franchise products off-screen.

Drinking, Drugs & Smoking

Adults and young adults drink at receptions and in taverns. A supporting character is addicted to "morphling" (a drug like morphine) and occasionally acts high or inebriated.

Did you know you can flag iffy content? Adjust limits for Drinking, Drugs & Smoking in your kid's entertainment guide.

Parents Need to Know

Parents need to know that The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes is adapted from Suzanne Collins' same-named prequel to the epic Hunger Games franchise . It's a villain origin story that introduces viewers to 18-year-old Coriolanus Snow ( Tom Blyth ) six decades before he becomes the diabolical President Snow of the main series. Here, he's mentor to a tribute from District 12 ( Rachel Zegler ) who captivates Panem with her beautiful singing voice -- but does that mean she can survive the arena? Like the other Hunger Games films, this one features lots of teen-on-teen violence (some of it pretty grisly) during the games, as well as violence perpetrated by the government, including on-camera executions and off-camera torture. People are injured or die via explosions, poison, shooting, snake bites, hand-to-hand combat with weapons, and more. Characters also flirt, kiss, and embrace, and some drink and use a morphine-like drug. The movie's complex themes about humanity, the nature of power, and governmental control mean that families will have plenty to talk about after watching. To stay in the loop on more movies like this, you can sign up for weekly Family Movie Night emails .

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Community Reviews

• Parents say (18)
• Kids say (70)

Based on 18 parent reviews

Too violent for kids

Disturbing and graphic content, what's the story.

THE HUNGER GAMES: THE BALLAD OF SONGBIRDS AND SNAKES takes place 64 years before the events of the first Hunger Games movie . Coriolanus Snow ( Tom Blyth ) is a senior in the Capitol's most prestigious academy but is hiding the fact that he, his cousin Tigris (Hunter Schafer), and their Grandma'am ( Fionnula Flanagan ) live in genteel poverty: They have a famous Old Capitol name but no money. At the top of his class, Coriolanus is hoping to win a scholarship to the university, but first the academy's dean/Hunger Games creator Casca Highbottom ( Peter Dinklage ) and Gamemaker Dr. Volumnia Gaul ( Viola Davis ) decide to assign each of the top 24 academy students as a mentor to one of the District tributes. Coriolanus is initially disappointed to draw the physically unimpressive District 12 tribute Lucy Gray Baird ( Rachel Zegler ), until she surprises everyone by singing at the Reaping. Coriolanus decides to take advantage of Lucy Gray's popularity with Capitol audiences and convinces her to trust his guidance. Together they forge a plan that could keep her alive -- and make him a shoo-in for the top prize -- if she can survive the arena.

Is It Any Good?

This is a faithful, well-acted adaptation that's part villain origin story, part forbidden romance, part bluegrass concert. It's always tricky to watch or read about someone who you know from the start is going to turn into a megalomaniacal dictator, a bloodthirsty criminal, or a serial killer. When done right, these stories (which aren't for the faint of heart) can humanize and provide nuance to characters we collectively hate. Suzanne Collins' book The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes managed to do that for Coriolanus Snow, while also introducing a new District 12 tribute to root for. The main problem with this adaptation is that, without all of the book's detailed inner monologue and context, the characters aren't as fully fleshed out, particularly Lucy Gray. While Coriolanus' growing narcissism and devotion to the Capitol -- not to mention his family's reputation -- is conveyed well thanks to Blyth's impressively layered performance, Zegler's role is reduced to her songbird persona. She's an amazing singer, and the movie's music is memorably good, but audiences don't get to know her (or her family) beyond her voice. And because the action is split between the Games-observing mentors and the tributes who are trying to survive, viewers likely won't have time to invest in any of the District teens save for Lucy Gray (completely unlike Katniss and Peeta's two trips to the arena).

On the plus side, fellow academy student Sejanus, as portrayed by Josh Andrés Rivera, is a classic foil for Coriolanus. He's earnest, critical of the Capitol, and almost painfully naive. But the movie's two most fascinating characters are the two central adults: Dinklage and Davis don't disappoint as they steal scenes from the younger actors. (And Jason Schwartzman provides much-needed comic relief as the first Flickerman to host the Games live on the air.) Overall, there's plenty to appreciate about the movie: the performances, the production design, Nashville producer/songwriter Dave Cobb's music supervision, and the many Easter eggs and references for Hunger Games fans. Just don't expect to feel particularly attached to the central characters, because, ultimately, we know that despite brief moments of tenderness, Coriolanus grows up to become a power-obsessed monster.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

Families can talk about how the violence in The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes compares to that of the other Hunger Games movies. What's the impact of media violence on kids?

Which characters demonstrate courage , perseverance , and self-control ? Why are these important character strengths ?

Those who are familiar with the book: What did you think of the changes the director and screenwriters made to the story? Overall, how did this installment stack up against the others?

Did seeing this movie give you more empathy toward the man Snow turns out to be later in the Hunger Games saga?

Movie Details

• In theaters : November 17, 2023
• Cast : Tom Blyth , Rachel Zegler , Peter Dinklage
• Director : Francis Lawrence
• Inclusion Information : Female actors, Latino actors, Multiracial actors
• Studio : Lionsgate
• Genre : Action/Adventure
• Topics : Book Characters , Friendship
• Character Strengths : Courage
• Run time : 165 minutes
• MPAA rating : PG-13
• MPAA explanation : strong violent content and disturbing material
• Last updated : May 10, 2024

Did we miss something on diversity?

Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by suggesting a diversity update.

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Movie Review: The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes

A grim storyline paired with disturbing (but predictable) brutality and bloodshed involving teens offers families plenty of reasons to pass on this painful Hunger Games prequel.

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'The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes' Review: This Franchise Might Have a New Victor

Starring Tom Blyth and Rachel Zegler, 'The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes' captures what made The Hunger Games so compelling.

The Big Picture

• The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes explores the gray areas between good and bad, delving into the characters that made the games what they are today.
• Tom Blyth and Rachel Zegler give solid performances as Coriolanus Snow and Lucy Gray Baird, but the supporting cast steals the show, especially Viola Davis and Peter Dinklage.
• The film effectively handles the brutality and futility of the Hunger Games, and delves into the world before the events of the original series, making it the most engrossing film in the series so far.

“I think there’s a natural goodness built into human beings,” says Lucy Gray Baird ( Rachel Zegler ), a contestant in the 10th annual Hunger Games competition. “You know when you’ve stepped across the line into evil, and it’s your life’s challenge to try and stay on the right side of that line.” In The Hunger Games franchise and its previous four movies, who was on each side of that line was fairly well-defined—naturally, with a few characters standing right in the middle. Despite four films, starting with 2012’s The Hunger Games , this series hasn’t really had the time to explore the gray between good and bad, as it was fairly clear that the people running the yearly event where two dozen kids fight to the death were bad, and the kids struggling to stay alive were on the good side. But with The Hunger Game: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes exploring The Hunger Games 64 years before Katniss Everdeen ever made her mark on Panem, this series can investigate those who made the games what they are now and inspect the moments that led to crossing over that line, in what might be the best film in The Hunger Games series so far.

The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes

The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes   follows a young Coriolanus (Tom Blyth) - the last hope for the once-proud Snow family - who is reluctantly assigned to mentor Lucy Gray Baird (Rachel Zegler), a tribute from the impoverished District 12 for the 10th Hunger Games. Snow sets out on a race against time to survive and reveal if he will become a songbird or a snake.

What Is 'The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes' About?

In delving into this, The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes centers around one of The Hunger Games’ franchise’s biggest villains: Coriolanus Snow ( Tom Blyth ). Snow is an eighteen-year-old trying to take care of his cousin Tigris ( Hunter Schafer ) and Grandma’am ( Fionnula Flanaga n ) after the war in the Capitol left the Snow family a shell of what they once were. They’re now poor and starving as much as those in the Districts, but Coriolanus pretends to have money around his classmates at his school , the Academy. Coriolanus is hoping to earn a prize that the school gives to its best students, but this year, students are placed as mentors to different tributes in The Hunger Games, with the best mentor winning the prize.

After ten years, The Hunger Games hasn’t drawn the desired audience, and is trying new things out, including having a host for the show in Lucky Flickerman ( Jason Schwartzman ), and interviews that will let the audience get to know these tributes. Snow is assigned to District 12 tribute, Lucy Gray Baird, who gains attention after singing a song of resistance at the reaping ceremony. As Snow helps Lucy in the upcoming games, he starts to realize they have more in common than they thought. Yet he still tries to find favor from the Academy’s troubled dean, Cas Highbottom ( Peter Dinklage ), and the head game master of The Hunger Games, Dr. Volumnia Gaul ( Viola Davis ), who has taken a liking to Snow’s ideas on how to improve the games.

While The Hunger Games series occasionally made time to explore the deeper personal impact of these games, those films also had the unfortunate burden of setting up this world. The Hunger Games needed to establish what had happened to Panem and explain the details of these games to the audience, while both Mockingjay films were busy with the climactic war, the questionable decisions that come with such a battle, and the aftermath of what it all leads to. Easily the best film in this series was The Hunger Games: Catching Fire , which found a nice mixture of the games and character building and dynamics since the setup had already taken place. T he Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes has the benefit of having all the heavy lifting done for its audience. We know this world, we know the games, and we know how they will both evolve over the next 64 years, which lets this film delve deeper into the characters that make this so impactful.

Tom Blyth and Rachel Zegler Are Good, but the Supporting Characters Are Great

Blyth does a solid job as Snow, balancing his allegiances towards his family and his issues with The Hunger Games. Even though we know where Snow is going to end up, Blyth’s performance makes us feel like this path was a strenuous one that wasn’t taken lightly. We didn’t really need to understand what made Snow the future villain of this series, but Blyth’s performance does allow us to care about the journey of this troubled teenager at a crossroads in his life. Zegler is also quite good as Lucy Gray Baird, who understandably becomes a favorite of the games. Lucy has the rebellious spirit and frustrations that Katniss would eventually end up having, and Zegler does a decent job of showing what the predecessor to Katniss would’ve looked like—someone ready to fight the system, regardless of what it costs her.

But it’s hard to not get wrapped up in the more grandiose performances given by the more seasoned actors within The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes . Viola Davis is gleefully evil and over-the-top, as she tries to make The Hunger Games more successful. Honestly, if she wants those ratings to go up, she could just go ahead and put herself in front of the camera. Jason Schwartzman is a delight as Lucky, channeling Stanley Tucci ’s performance as Caesar Flickerman in the series while making it his own strange character. But it's Peter Dinklage as Cas Highbottom that truly stands out, as we can see the toll that a decade of The Hunger Games has taken on his spirit. While it seems as though it’s warped the mind of a character like Davis’ Dr. Gaul, Highbottom always feels like he could also burst out in rage at the Capitol at any moment, full of fury and substances to numb the pain of where the world has gone to in his time. The Hunger Games series has always excelled at supporting characters from great actors , and The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes certainly continues that tradition.

'The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes' Is Fascinating in How It Handles The Hunger Games

The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes is also quite fascinating in how it approaches The Hunger Games themselves. As this takes place in the first decade of this annual event, things are still being figured out, and the people aren’t certain about how to feel about it. This leads to a certain level of unpredictability that the other films couldn’t match, whether it’s through the people rising up against the Capitol in any way they can, or the game makers clearly not knowing how to handle hiccups and surprises. This leads the actual games to feel grittier, more ruthless, and more difficult to watch than they even were before —a monstrous place where ripping down a flag is more scandalous than watching children die. This works on both ends, as we see the struggle from some in the Capitol—namely Josh Andrés Rivera as Sejanus Plinth—who see the nightmarish world that is coming. In doing so, we feel the impact and terrifying anguish that this event brings to the twelve districts forced to participate, and those in places of power who still can't stop this from happening.

Yet the main obstacle for The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes is how to keep this story just as exciting after the games —which ends up taking place in the second act here. This isn’t necessarily the fault of writers Michael Lesslie ( The Little Drummer Boy ) and Michael Arndt ( Little Miss Sunshine ), but just the structure of Suzanne Collins ’ original novel. In its final act, The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes more directly highlights the inevitable choice Snow will have to make, and it’s just not enough to keep this story as intriguing as it was in the first two acts. While this does lead to some of the film’s quieter, more character-focused moments, it also feels like the writing’s already on the wall by that point.

Having Francis Lawrence Return as Director Was a Wise Decision

Bringing back director Francis Lawrence for The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes , however, turns out to be a smart choice. Having directed three of the four films in the original series, Lawrence shows he knows what works and what doesn’t in these stories. He never pulls back from the inherent darkness of this world, and embraces the horrors these characters are facing. Again, Lawrence knows just the right balance between world-building and character relationships, while also entertaining audiences who are also disgusted by what they’re seeing play out. It’s a delicate mixture, but Lawrence handles it like a seasoned pro .

Lawrence also knows this world well, and having him at the helm of The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes makes this feel like an integral part of the larger story being told. Lawrence has the time to investigate the Districts, both in their relation to the games and outside of them, in a way that even strengthens the original four films. Inside The Capitol, we are shown the selfishness, the desperation, and the weaknesses of this system through the eyes of one of its own in a way we never got in the original series. Meanwhile, in District 12, with Lucy Gray Baird, we get to see both the calmer times within this segmented world and the horrors that are just beginning as the Hunger Games works out the kinks. The Hunger Games movies up until them have, as the name implies, largely been specifically around those games, and while that’s certainly a major part of Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes as well, we get downtime to explore in a way that fleshes out these communities. It’s hard to imagine someone pulling that off quite as well as Lawrence does here.

While Coriolanus Snow likely didn’t need his own origin story, The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes is far more about the world around him and how it has fallen and been reborn in the decades before The Hunger Games . The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes is an effective look at this compelling world before the events of The Hunger Games , that never shies away from the bleakness and futility that Collins’ books captured so perfectly. By focusing on the gray between the good and the bad, and with a scale and scope that the other films never quite had, The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes might just be the most engrossing film in this series—and almost makes one wish there were more stories here to be told.

The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes is now available to stream on VOD.

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The most gripping aspects of “The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes” don’t even have to do with the actual Hunger Games themselves. They come later, in part three of this lengthy prequel, based on the 2020 novel by Suzanne Collins .

Sure, there’s some fascination in seeing this early incarnation of the games, set 64 years before the original film's events. Panem hasn’t been a dystopian wasteland for long, and this rudimentary version of the elaborate bloodbath we’ll know is meant to serve as the capitol’s punishment against the districts for their uprising. You don’t have to be an aficionado of the franchise to appreciate the bleakly vivid sense of place returning director Francis Lawrence creates, although fans will probably enjoy seeing references to Mockingjays, for example, and even the name Katniss. In these moments, we are all the Leonardo-DiCaprio-pointing-at-the-screen meme.

Within this furious state of flux, a young Coriolanus Snow begins his rise to power. We know he eventually gets there, as embodied in the original films by a chilling Donald Sutherland . But Tom Blyth ’s evolution into that tyrannical presidential persona is fascinating to watch in its grand gestures and tiny revelations. Snow goes from a moneyed pretty boy destined for entitled greatness to a clear-eyed manipulator intent on crafting his fate. It is a star-making performance.

The subtlety of this supervillain origin story is what makes it so unsettling. In the script from Michael Lesslie and Michael Arndt , Snow asserts increasing control not through sheer brute strength but rather through simple, calculated decisions, one after another. Initially, he can tell himself he’s doing the wrong things for the right reasons; eventually, he doesn’t bother to make that bargain with himself anymore.

We see it in how he pretends he’s still wealthy around his pretentious school friends, even though his once-prominent family has fallen on hard times, as many have. Grandma’am ( Fionnula Flanagan ) puts on airs but can barely pay the rent; cousin Tigris ( Hunter Schafer ) remains kindhearted amid the suffering. These influences seem to shape how he approaches his responsibilities as a mentor to Lucy Gray Baird ( Rachel Zegler ), the District 12 tribute he must guide through the 10 th  annual Hunger Games.

Lucy Gray makes an impression from the first second her image is splashed on screens across the nation; the titular songbird, she stands out in her melodic method of protest, and Zegler, the “West Side Story” star, has further blossomed in her charisma. Her voice soars, of course, but the notes that catch in her throat are even more emotional.

Blyth and Zegler share a spiky chemistry that’s equal parts attraction and mistrust. Each of them realizes they can help the other survive and thrive because making it out of the Hunger Games alive isn’t the only goal. Creating the most memorable spectacle is what matters most now, we learn from head game maker Dr. Volumnia Gaul. Viola Davis plays this chicly sadistic figure with just the right amount of camp, and she’s the beneficiary of costume designer Trish Summerville ’s most striking creations.

Jason Schwartzman , meanwhile, offers some delightful zingers as schmaltzy emcee/weatherman Lucky Flickerman, a predecessor to Stanley Tucci ’s blue-haired game show host Caesar Flickerman. His bemused mantra, “See what happens when you do stuff?” is an all-too-relevant commentary on our attention-hungry times. And the retro-futurism of the mid-century modern TV studio suggests a promise of prosperity that winning the Hunger Games could never possibly provide.

Peter Dinklage grounds these events, which range from the silly to the savage, as Casca Highbottom (gotta love Collins’ creative character names). He’s the dean of the Academy who helped develop the Hunger Games in the first place; now, he’s the voice of reason, suggesting maybe they’re not such a good idea anymore. Dinklage brings a down-to-earth, wry wisdom, which is much needed in this wild world. The kills feel more brutal here because these kids don’t have to endure complicated challenges to complete them; they just have to pick up a weapon and aim for each other. (Some repurposed delivery drones also up the level of startling violence.) That’s where the clever bond between Snow and Lucy Gray comes into play. And because they’ve formed a deeper connection than most mentors and tributes, the film’s third chapter feels much more fraught.

Here, we see how the depth of Snow’s dark side fully reveals itself. There’s a shift in his posture, a hardening in his eyes. Lucy Gray, meanwhile, knows how to use her folksy charm for maximum beguiling effect. Whereas the energy may have felt a bit uneven in the previous two chapters—titled “The Mentor” and “The Prize”—part three, “The Peacekeeper,” makes a bold departure in terms of location, emotion, and tone. It moves out of the austerity of the capitol and into a pastoral forest setting, where returning cinematographer Jo Willems creates a lush vibe that’s both romantic and dangerous. Here’s where the 157-minute film slows and gets quieter, making room for exquisite tension between two people who dared to trust each other.

“Snow always lands on top” is the longtime credo for Coriolanus and his family. The question of how it falls, and whether it sticks, makes “The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes” a surprisingly suspenseful prequel.

In theaters today.

Christy Lemire

Christy Lemire is a longtime film critic who has written for RogerEbert.com since 2013. Before that, she was the film critic for The Associated Press for nearly 15 years and co-hosted the public television series "Ebert Presents At the Movies" opposite Ignatiy Vishnevetsky, with Roger Ebert serving as managing editor. Read her answers to our Movie Love Questionnaire here .

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Film credits.

The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes (2023)

Rated PG-13 for strong violent content and disturbing material.

157 minutes

Tom Blyth as Coriolanus Snow

Rachel Zegler as Lucy Gray Baird

Hunter Schafer as Tigris Snow

Jason Schwartzman as Lucretius 'Lucky' Flickerman

Peter Dinklage as Casca Highbottom

Viola Davis as Dr. Volumnia Gaul

Josh Andrés Rivera as Sejanus Plinth

Fionnula Flanagan as Grandma’am

Isobel Jesper Jones as Mayfair Lipp

Ashley Liao as Clemensia Dovecote

Jerome Lance as Marcus

Knox Gibson as Bobbin

Burn Gorman as Commander Hoff

• Francis Lawrence

Writer (based on the novel by)

• Suzanne Collins
• Michael Lesslie
• Michael Arndt

Cinematographer

• Mark Yoshikawa
• James Newton Howard

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Plugged In Movie Review

Nov 21, 2014, the hunger games: mockingjay - part 1.

Despite the title, Katniss' struggle now is no game. There is no arena, there are no tributes. What we're left with is a bitter war … and a dim vision of a better tomorrow. (PG-13) Read our full review on Plugged In Online.

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Stream It Or Skip It: ‘The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes’ on Starz, a Late-Arriving Prequel That Turned Out To Be A Surprise Hit

Where to stream:.

• The Hunger Games: The Ballad Of Songbirds & Snakes

‘The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes’ Ending Explained: What Happened to Lucy Gray?

‘fallout’ season finale recap: war pigs, ‘fallout’ episode 7 recap: two heads are better than one, is ‘civil war’ streaming on netflix or hbo max.

The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes ( now streaming on Starz ) taps into the hottest trend of 2012: adaptations of YA novel series. Like The Twilight Saga and Harry Potter before it, the Hunger Games franchise was a huge hit in both formats, with the books selling jillions for author Suzanne Collins and the movies making a massive international star out of Jennifer Lawrence. And just when we thought it was all over and we didn’t have to remember what things like “reaping day” and “jabberjay” mean, in 2020 Collins released Ballad , a prequel, all but guaranteeing the eventuality of this movie. Since the story’s set 64 years prior to the first movie, that means Lawrence and the birth-of-a-hero fable are out, replaced the birth-of-a-villain origin story of President Coriolanus Snow, previously played by Donald Sutherland, now played as a young man by relative newcomer Tom Blyth. Rachel Zegler ( West Side Story ) co-stars, with supporting turns from Viola Davis, Jason Schwartzman and Peter Dinklage; Francis Lawrence, who helmed three earlier Hunger Games es, returns to direct, and hopefully well enough to compel us to care about what happens. But he had his work cut out for him. 

THE HUNGER GAMES: THE BALLAD OF SONGBIRDS AND SNAKES : STREAM IT OR SKIP IT?

The Gist: Surely you haven’t forgotten the cliches of this dystopian reality that Jennifer Lawrence almost made palatable: IN A WORLD where the haves and have-nots really really hate each other on a postapocalyptic alt-Earth exists a state known as Panem. The rich rule the Capitol, and they cruelly oppress the peoples of a dozen downtrodden surrounding districts; you can tell the haves by their patently ridiculous gaudy garb and clownish hairstyles, and the have-nots by their patently ridiculous quasi- Little House on the Prairie outfits and dirty faces. Every year, the creeps in charge pluck two teens from each district to participate in the Hunger Games, an utterly barbaric one-person-left-standing battle-to-the-death that’s a smash TV hit and, of course, a symbolic power play underscoring who’s in charge around here. 

The bulk of THG: TBOSAS takes place 10 years after the Hunger Games began. TV ratings for the games are down, possibly because it’s a vile spectacle, possibly because the host, Lucretius “Lucky” Flickerman (Schwartzman), is an uberputz with a mustache you just want to slap off his lip. And here we find Coriolanus Snow (Lythe), a teen from a once-prominent family that’s now quietly fallen into poverty. Coryo lives with his closest confidant, his cousin Tigris (Hunter Schafer), and their Grandma’am (Fionnula Flanagan), who put on airs of still having money even when they’re living in squalor. Coryo’s on the verge of graduating from Snob City High School and earning a scholarship that he hopes to use to fund his college education and restore his family’s status. But that doesn’t happen. Nope. Instead, he finds out he’s gonna be a mentor to one of the Hunger Games participants, and the penisface in charge of this, Casca Highbottom (Dinklage), has rigged the odds very much not in Coryo’s favor by saddling him with an inferior contestant.  

And here we meet that contestant, Lucy Gray Baird (Zegler) of District 12 (yes, the same district as J-Law’s character, ye collators of Easter eggs). On Reaping Day, when Hunger Gamers are selected, Lucy Gray drops a snake down the dress of the mayor’s daughter, takes the stage to sing a rousing song and yells “YOU CAN KISS MY ASS!” into the microphone, and somehow gets away with it. What kind of half-assed fascist state is this anyway? Shouldn’t they be tossing her in a gulag pit o’ hell for that? Lucy Gray may be physically small and lack killer instinct, but at least she has spirit, enough to give Coryo hope that she might somehow win the Hunger Games, opening the door for his path to a brighter future. Coryo bends the rules by befriending Lucy Gray, giving her rat poison to use during the competition and telling her she can win the hearts of the people if she sings for the TV cameras. It’s the only, only, only way she can survive, the movie insists, even though it never in a million years would cast a rising star like Zegler in the role just to turn her into carrion to be pecked at by crows.

Coryo’s wily strategies earn the attention of the Hunger Games creator, a mad-scientist loon with two different-colored eyes named Dr. Volumnia Gaul (Davis). She solicits improvements on the games from Coryo, and actually implements them, e.g., allowing mentors to use drones to airdrop water, food and other things to benefit their contestants. One look at the bloodthirsty leading competitors and it’s pretty obvious that Lucy Gray is doomed. DOOOOOOOOOMED. Unless she’s not! Especially since there’s a less-than-half-assed love story between Coryo and Lucy Gray that the movie might almost show interest in. And also because the Hunger Games part is just the second act of the movie, followed by a third one proving that a bunch of boring stuff can happen after the somewhat exciting stuff we’ve seen already in the other movies. Hey, at least it’s not the same old movie again, right? 

What Movies Will It Remind You Of?: Harry Potter prequel spinoff Fantastic Beasts is even more unnecessary than THG: TBOSAS . Joker and the Star Wars prequel trilogy backtracked to tell similar villain origin stories. And you still can’t talk Hunger Games without mentioning its predecessors, Battle Royale and The Running Man . 

Performance Worth Watching: Let’s hope THG: TBOSAS gives Blyth a nice jumping-off point for his career, since he proves himself at least moderately charismatic in the face of some mediocre material.

Memorable Dialogue: Coryo’s pal Plinth (Josh Andres Rivera) inspires an Ironic Line-Reading:

Plinth, sarcastically: You’re quite the rebel. Coryo: Oh yeah. I’m bad news.

Sex and Skin: None, although we get a swimmin’-down-at-the-water-hole scene in which we learn that the residents of District 12 apparently crochet their own underwear.

Our Take: Note of interest for anyone considering firing this one up: take the “ballad” part of the title seriously. A notable chunk of this movie’s 157 minutes is consumed by musical interludes, apparently because you don’t cast a rising star like Zegler in the role just to not have her showcase her singing talents so often that the movie bloats to wearisome length. A point arrived about two-thirds through where a few notes from the musical score elicited groans: Not again. Please . Which isn’t to dismiss Zegler’s efforts; her singing voice is hearty and passionate. But the film’s insistence upon shoehorning songs into the narrative brings us out of this reasonably immersive and well-constructed world to ask why. Sure, music keeps the spirits of the oppressed alive, but a half-dozen songs tortured until their earnesty explodes at us in syrupy spurts of thematic overstatement? Well, it’s a bit much.

While we’re at a remove from the narrative, we may also ask why this story needed to be told in the first place. Was Snow such a compelling figure that his origin demanded a deep dive? Were fans clamoring for an expanded view of the Panem setting? Speaking as someone who watched all the previous films out of professional obligation – and even enjoyed a couple of them – but was repelled by Collins’ decidedly YA writing style, I can’t answer that. But it’s tough to argue for the necessity of this story, and easier to see it as an attempt to revive a familiar franchise for a quick and easy profit (some basic math: $100 million budget, $337 million box gross), and to test the waters for further franchise expansion. Creatives have once again been trumped by bean-counters.

As for the movie as it stands? It’s fine, more of the same stiff recitations of gooey wads of exposition, more of the same sense of self-importance, more of the same ridiculous sci-fi names and ridiculous sci-fi costumes and ridiculous sci-fi hair (nobody is saved from looking silly here, even the mighty Davis, which borders on criminal). The tone is dry and dreary, which Blyth just barely overcomes in order to stir a little subtext about his character’s eventual turn towards evil; Zegler is asked to lean heavily into an overcooked spunky rebelliousness that feels contrived, and her here-today-gone-tomorrow-back-on-Wednesday quasi-Southern accent doesn’t help. 

Like the previous films, Ballad sanitizes its brutality for a PG-13 rating and diminishes the story’s sense of high-stakes survive-or-die suspense, and Francis Lawrence’s approach to action sequences is bland and uninspired, a reflection of the film’s generic visual aesthetic. The casting of Davis, Dinklage and Schwartzman feels calculated to spruce up a joyless and dreary text; the utterly expendable Lucy Gray-Coryo romance never takes root, and feels like little more than fulfillment of Hunger Games formula; the screenplay’s attempt to make the Games themselves a hurdle instead comprising the structural basis of the plot results in narrative bloat and a third act that feels like an extended deflation. The most intriguing subtext is decidedly meta-, in the sense that executives and marketers and accountants seemingly thought the overall concept could overcome its more generic sensibilities and thrive without Jennifer Lawrence’s talent and star power. Nope! Sorry! 

Our Call: One of the key components of this story is the Panem citizens’ flagging interest in the Hunger Games, and the irony is, interest in Hunger Games movies is definitely flagging in our own reality in 2024. SKIP IT.

John Serba is a freelance writer and film critic based in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

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How Haymitch Abernathy Won His Hunger Games

• Haymitch Abernathy won the 50th Hunger Games with cunning and skill, facing deadly odds and a deadly arena.
• Haymitch's victory came at a heavy price, with his loved ones murdered in retaliation by President Snow.
• Haymitch's story reveals the true toll of being a Hunger Games victor, dispelling the myth of glory and emphasizing the importance of sparking revolution.

When we first meet Haymitch Abernathy ( Woody Harrelson ) in The Hunger Games , he is drunk and sarcastic – more concerned with spilling his drink than helping Peeta ( Josh Hutcherson ) and Katniss ( Jennifer Lawrence ) survive. Indeed, he even tells them to embrace the probability of their imminent deaths. While we see a flicker of his quick reflexes, it still isn't clear to us how this drunken, jaded man ever won the intense arena battle that is central to the Hunger Games series, or what happened to change him into this sad state. He becomes an integral part of the story, a crucial ally to both Katniss and Peeta, and a figurehead of the Rebellion against the Capitol. Though we do learn about how cruel the games are, and how a victor never really wins, the first four films never reveal Haymitch's full story. It's a prequel we'd love to see , so let's dive into what the books have to say about District 12's victor and mentor.

The Hunger Games

Katniss Everdeen voluntarily takes her younger sister's place in the Hunger Games: a televised competition in which two teenagers from each of the twelve Districts of Panem are chosen at random to fight to the death.

Release Date March 12, 2012

Director Gary Ross

Cast Elizabeth Banks, Stanley Tucci, Liam Hemsworth, Jennifer Lawrence, Willow Shields, Wes Bentley

Rating PG-13

Runtime 142

Main Genre Adventure

Genres Sci-Fi, Action, Adventure

Writers Suzanne Collins, Billy Ray, Gary Ross

Studio Lionsgate

Which Hunger Games Did Haymitch Abernathy Win?

Haymitch is the victor of the 50th Hunger Games, better known as the second quarter quell. It is written in the charter of the games that every 25 years there will be a quarter quell, to remind each new generation that the games are held due to the 13 districts uprising against the Capitol. Each quarter quell is distinguished by games of significance – the third quarter quell amends the rules of reaping to only include previous victors, which leads to Katniss and Peeta's return to the arena in one of the best sequels of all time, and perhaps the best of the films The Hunger Games: Catching Fire . In the first quarter quell it is revealed that instead of being reaped, each district would vote on who to send into the games as tribute. The second quarter quell's special stipulation was that the Capitol would reap double the amount of children, meaning Haymitch had double the amount of tributes (47) who needed to die for him to live.

He trained well, showing skill with a knife, and was given odds of 10-1 in winning. At 16, he was already charming and witty, but also arrogant, remarking to Caesar Flickerman (played by Stanley Tucci ) that despite there being 100% more competitors, “They’ll still be 100% as stupid as usual, so I figure my odds will be roughly the same.” We see this lighter side of Haymitch revealed when Katniss is being tested and shoots her arrow at the pig. He is giggling with excitement, not just at the prospect of finally finding someone from District 12 who might have a chance at winning, but also at discovering Katniss shares his disdain for the Capitol, sarcastically thanking them for their consideration .

How Did Haymitch Abernathy Survive in the Hunger Games Arena?

To celebrate half a century of Hunger Games, the game maker created a truly beautiful arena. As the pedestals rose the tributes were overwhelmed by the lush surroundings, full of flowers and animals with a stunning snow-capped mountain as the finishing touch. It was all beautiful…but deadly. The flowers were poisonous, the animals aggressive, and the snow-capped mountain erupted on day 4, revealing itself in actuality to be a deadly volcano, killing 12 tributes. Haymitch was not seduced by the allure of the surroundings , quickly securing a bag and a knife from the cornucopia before retreating into the woods. While in the woods, Haymitch runs into three career tributes. He’s outmanned but not outgunned as he quickly kills two of them with his knife. The final tribute manages to disarm him, and as they go in for the kill, fellow District 12 tribute, Maysilee Donner, kills the career tribute with a dart.

Much like Katniss and Rue ( Amandla Stenberg ), the two then agree to work together. They steal food from the other dead tributes, and Haymitch leads them to the very edge of the arena. While there, he notices that a forcefield surrounds the arena and that anything thrown at it bounces back. The victors who return to the arena in Catching Fire also understand the mechanics and importance of the surrounding forcefield, though Katniss chooses to wield its power in a far more destructive and final manner. When Haymitch refuses to leave the edge, Maysilee chooses to separate from him and turn back towards the center, only to be killed by a mutt. Haymitch holds her hand as she dies , again mirroring Katniss and Rue's story. That same day two more tributes are killed, leaving just Haymitch and a District 1 career tribute left. A violent and deadly fight ensues between the two. She slashes open his chest with an axe while he cuts out her eye. She throws her axe at him, and he strategically dodges it and allows it to hit the forcefield, where it bounces back and hits her in the face, killing her. Haymitch is pronounced the victor, and he believes the worst will then be over , his life now a tale of riches and glory.

Haymitch's Story Shows the True Cost of Being a Victor

However, his battle is not done. President Snow (played by Donald Sutherland in the films) is not impressed with Haymitch's clever manipulation of the forcefield and two weeks after he returns home, his mother, brother, and girlfriend are all murdered. This is The Hunger Games, after all, never one to shy away from the bleakness of war and the cruelty of dictatorships. His warning to Katniss and Peeta at the end of the first film about the Capitol "not taking these things lightly" bears more weight when you understand the heavy toll he paid for his clever win. Audiences also got to discover more about Snow's history with District 12 winners from The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes .

Throughout the world of Panem, we discover many Victors' lives are ruined by winning the Games. The real MVP of the rebellion, Finnick Odair ( Sam Claflin ), is forced into prostitution while Johanna Mason's ( Jena Malone ) family is killed when she refuses to prostitute herself. There are many with substance abuse problems, like the Morphlings we see in Catching Fire. Haymitch himself begins drinking to numb the pain and starts sleeping with a knife in his hand. His hatred of the Capitol crystallized here, allowing him to become a central figure within the rebellion he would help plan 25 years later. His story lays bare the myth of being a Hunger Games "Victor", showing that the traumatic memories never subside and that even if you manage to leave the arena, you can never escape the weight of your actions, nor are you immune to the might of the Capitol. The only real path to victory is to spark the fire of revolution.

The Hunger Games movies are currently streaming on Peacock in the U.S.

WATCH ON PEACOCK

A grim storyline paired with disturbing (but predictable) brutality and bloodshed involving teens offers families plenty of reasons to pass on this painful Hunger Games prequel.

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How Do Christian Parents Keep Up with Their Children’s Screen Consumption?  The expert media staff at Plugged In have compiled a must-read resource to help you understand the media your children consume. Years of researching and analyzing the latest media trends are compiled in Becoming a Screen-Savvy Family.  Offering practical advice and strategies to help your children navigate the ever-changing landscape of pop culture, Becoming a Screen Savvy Family includes social media, music, streaming services, video games, movies, and more to help you dialogue with your children about the content that they are exposed to. The effects of technology and media consumption on children are far-reaching, impacting their mental health, sleep patterns, attention spans, and social skills. In Becoming a Screen-Savvy Family , you’ll learn - the effects on your children’s biology, behaviors, and beliefs; - traits of engaged parents, creating a game plan, and how to step in when needed; - how to screen those screens; and - practical strategies for limiting screen time and thinking critically about media.  Becoming a Screen-Savvy Family will quickly become an essential tool to guide your family’s relationship with media and your child’s screen consumption.

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A grim storyline paired with disturbing (but predictable) brutality and bloodshed involving teens offers families plenty of reasons to pass on this painful Hunger Games prequel.

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'The Hunger Games' movies are leaving Netflix this month — here’s your last date to stream

This is your last chance to watch 'The Hunger Games' on Netflix

It looks like I’ll need to dust off my Hunger Games DVDs (well, 4K Blu-rays) next month as it’s been confirmed that the four mainline "The Hunger Games" movies will be leaving Netflix U.S. very soon — but you’ve still got time to get a marathon watching session before then.  

On Friday, May 31 , “The Hunger Games”, “The Hunger Games: Catching Fire”, “The Hunger Games: Mockingjay - Part 1” and “The Hunger Games” Mockingjay - Part 2” will all be removed from the Netflix library. That gives you two weeks (at the time of writing) to watch this quartet of sci-fi dystopian movies, and you should make time. 

What is "The Hunger Games" about? 

If you missed the whole Hunger Games fad that swept the mid-2010s, the movies are based on a trilogy of novels by author Suzanne Collins and set in a bleak vision of the future where the ruins of North America have become Panem, a nation split into 12 districts and ruined over by the Capitol. 

Each year, as punishment for a failed uprising, the Capitol forces each district to set two tributes, a boy and a girl, to compete in a tournament called The Hunger Games that sees the contestants thrown into an arena and forced to fight to the death. 

The series opens on the morning of the reaping (the ceremony where tributes are chosen) for the 74th annual Hunger Games, where Katniss Everdeen (Jennifer Lawrence) is forced to volunteer after her younger sister is selected. Katniss comes from District 12, the most impoverished district in Panem, but while the odds aren’t in her favor, she’s a fighter and is determined to emerge from the games victorious. 

The movie series also features Josh Hutcherson as Peeta, the male tribute from District 12, and Liam Hemsworth as Gale, Katniss’s closest friend. Woody Harrelson plays Haymitch, a previous victor now mentor, and Elizabeth Banks plays Effie Trinket, a chaperone for the tributes. And those are just some of the impressive actors featured across the series. 

"The Hunger Games" is a brilliant blockbuster franchise

All four movies were generally well received, with Catching Fire considered the franchise’s high point (it holds an impressive 90% on Rotten Tomatoes ), and even the controversial decision to split the novel “Mockingjay” in two is less of an issue when you can watch them back-to-back as essential one complete mega-sized movie rather than two separate parts. 

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The franchise's most recent entry is a prequel, “The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes” and hit theaters last year, and arrived on streaming platforms a couple of months ago. It’s not currently available on Netflix but can be watched via Starz. 

Whether you’ve watched “The Hunger Games” already, or are fresh to Katniss’ journey, these blockbuster movies are well worth catching before they leave Netflix (for now at least, the streamer loves recycling its library, so they may return in the future). 

There’s no word yet on whether they will be moving to another streaming service shortly, but if you want regular access to the whole series, the full collection is currently on sale for $29 on Amazon .  Or fans of physical media can get a Blu-ray box set of the first four movies in the franchise for just $13 at Amazon (was $34). 

"The Hunger Games" movies are streaming on Netflix U.S. until Friday, May 31.

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Rory is an Entertainment Editor at Tom’s Guide based in the UK. He covers a wide range of topics but with a particular focus on gaming and streaming. When he’s not reviewing the latest games, searching for hidden gems on Netflix, or writing hot takes on new gaming hardware, TV shows and movies, he can be found attending music festivals and getting far too emotionally invested in his favorite football team. 

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The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 2

• Episode aired May 17, 2024

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• May 17, 2024 (United Kingdom)
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In Theaters

• Animation , Comedy , Drama

Content Caution

• May 17, 2024
• Ryan Reynolds as Cal; Cailey Fleming as Bea; John Krasinski as Bea's Dad; Fiona Shaw as Grandmother; Voices of Emily Blunt as Unicorn; Steve Carell as Blue; Phoebe Waller-Bridge as Blossom; Maya Rudolph as Alligator; Louis Gossett Jr. as Lewis the Bear; Sam Rockwell as Guardian Dog; Awkwafina as Bubble

Home Release Date

• John Krasinski

Distributor

• Paramount Pictures

Movie Review

Twelve-year-old Bea is having a tough go of things. You see, she lost her mom when she was little, and now her dad is sick, too. And he has to have an operation at the same New York City hospital that Bea’s mom was in.

It’s good that Bea’s grandmother lives nearby, so Bea can stay with her. But the tween is finding life difficult right now.

Don’t get me wrong, Dad is still playful and full of jokes, like usual. He’s trying to keep things light and help Bea find fun in life’s tricky moments. But Bea can’t help but stop and tell him, “Sometimes, life doesn’t have to be fun.”

Dad agrees, with an assuring smile and a warm hug. He tells her to go on out and “explore her own story” while she’s here. Figure out how everything fits. But he tells her … to have a little fun, too.

Then something unexpected happens.

After returning to her grandmother’s apartment, Bea spots an odd little figure fliting in and around the building’s shadows. At first, she thinks it’s a young girl. But when getting closer, she realizes this person looks like a 1930s cartoon version of an anthropomorphized butterfly.

Hmmm. How very strange.

Bea secretly follows the creature back to the apartment of a man named Cal. And after forcing him to talk to her, Bea finds out that the amazing-looking character, called Blossom, is none other than an “IF”: an Imaginary Friend.

You see, imaginary friends are often left behind, Cal tells the girl. They help their young human pals through tough times, but then the kids tend to forget all about them once they grow up.

Cal has the ability to see all the left behind imaginary friends in the world. Just as Bea apparently can. And after Cal shows Bea to a retirement home full of bizarre and wonderful IFs, she is ready to lend a hand.

Bea determines to spend her time at grandmother’s helping Cal find new homes for the lonely IFs. And maybe they’ll reconnect some IFs with their now grown-up kids, too.

What Bea doesn’t realize, however, is that there might be a big part of her own story that she’s about to connect with as well.

Positive Elements

We see a nice video montage of a 6-year-old Bea dancing and playing with her mom and dad. As we near the end of this collection of family moments we realize that Bea’s mom is dealing with an illness that wasn’t obvious in the earlier scenes. Mom asks her to tell a story: Bea’s story. In narration, an older Bea thinks back on those moments and tells us, “I realized that the most important stories we have to tell are the ones we tell ourselves.”

This insight later plays into the narrative that 12-year-old Bea tells her Dad, who is seemingly unconscious and just out of surgery. She talks of the things that she’s learned about herself and others. She notes that her dad’s love is vital, and she says his embrace is one of the only places she feels completely safe. Bea emotionally declares that he must stay with her. And her groggy father, stirs and tells her it was a really good story.

Bea also digs up an old, forgotten video camera that she finds in her grandmother’s closet. She wistfully looks upon those forgotten images. In that light, when Cal takes Bea to a “special” place where the IFs live, she asks him if it’s a magical place. He tells her it used to be. And it turns out that the IFs’ residence is beneath Coney Island—the very place where Bea and her mom and dad recorded some of the videos.

The film also makes it clear that remembering the past—the highs the lows, the sweet moments, and difficult challenges—make us better, more thankful people. In the course of things, for instance, adults who reconnect with memories of their forgotten IFs find themselves happily flashing back on valuable lessons and joys they once experienced. (The IFs likewise glow happily in those momentary connections. They celebrate with other IFs over those short but potent reconnections.)

[ Spoiler Warning ] The IFs collectively worry that if they are forgotten, then they won’t be needed. And if they aren’t needed, they’ll cease to matter or exist (some of the very feelings that lonely people sometimes have, too.) We eventually discover that Bea has an imaginary friend whom she forgot, too. She accidentally realizes her misstep and apologizes. Bea thanks him for his past help and declares that she’ll always remember and need him going forward.

Spiritual Elements

The only spiritual-like elements in the mix are things of imagination.

For instance, an older IF named Lewis tells Bea that the IFs’ “retirement home” domain can be positively changed with just a little imagination. So Bea uses her imagination to magically transform the generally dour place into a building that’s vibrant with song and dance. Ultimately, all the IFs gather in a rock concert-like celebration with a classic Tina Turner song. (Tina shows up and joins in, too.) A ghost is one of the IFs. One imaginary friend calls Bea the “chosen one.”

Sexual Content

While visiting the IFs, Bea and Cal walk in on an IF art class that’s painting an IF “model.” The apple-with-stick-legs IF quickly grabs a towel to cover it’s “nakedness.” Cal tells a banana-like IF to put on some pants. “You’re freaking everybody out,” Cal says as the embarrassed IF covers its lower banana extremities.

Violent Content

Bea meets a young boy at the hospital who says he falls a lot. He has a broken leg, arm and tailbone. (He calls it a “broken butt.”)

When Bea first comes face to face with two different imaginary friends, she faints and falls to the ground.

A burning marshmallow IF melts, dropping its eye to the tabletop. A giant puffball-like IF named Blue has a few panic attack moments that Cal states could lead to a blow up. (Each is diffused at the last moment.)

Crude or Profane Language

The dialogue includes about two dozen misuses of God’s name (in the form of “OMG”). Those are joined by one use of “gosh” and two uses of “h—.”

Drug and Alcohol Content

Other negative elements.

A giant Gummy Bear IF nervously passes gas. Cal breaks into a kid’s bedroom to retrieve Blue. There’s some talk of needing to vomit.

There’s something refreshingly lovely about a family-focused film that doesn’t choose to jump through the same old problematic hoops.

IF , written and directed by actor John Krasinski, is one such film. It’s original and creative and sets something of a new gold standard for its brilliant blending of CGI and live action characters. The film talks about navigating loss, remembering the good things of the past and finding your place in the world. At the same time, this pic lauds the love of family and the special connection between dads and daughters.

Drawbacks? Well, God’s name is misused several times. And we get a couple of winking gags about “naked” fruit characters that might cause a parent to roll his or her eyes.

But the biggest yellow flag here is perhaps the fact that the early chapters of the tale can be a little confusing for younger viewers. (It’s all made very clear by the conclusion in a few tearfully sweet moments.) That’s said, when those broad and silly imaginary friends are mixed with a few snacks, even the littler tykes will likely be a satisfied crew.

After spending more than two decades touring, directing, writing and producing for Christian theater and radio (most recently for Adventures in Odyssey, which he still contributes to), Bob joined the Plugged In staff to help us focus more heavily on video games. He is also one of our primary movie reviewers.

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