The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes

2023
12A
2h 37m

IMDb RATING

6.7/10

147K

YOUR RATING

POPULARITY

344

Jason Schwartzman, Viola Davis, Peter Dinklage, Rachel Zegler, Josh Rivera, Tom Blyth, and Hunter Schafer in The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes (2023)

'The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes' follows a young Coriolanus (Tom Blyth) who is the last hope for his failing lineage, the once-proud Snow family that has fallen from grace in a post-war Capitol. With his livelihood threatened, Snow is reluctantly assigned to mentor Lucy Gray Baird (Rachel Zegler), a tribute from the impoverished District 12. But after Lucy Gray's charm captivates the audience of Panem, Snow sees an opportunity to shift their fates. With everything he has worked for hanging in the balance, Snow unites with Lucy Gray to turn the odds in their favor. Battling his instincts for both good and evil, Snow sets out on a race against time to survive and reveal if he will ultimately become a songbird or a snake.

Play trailer2:46

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99+ Photos

Dystopian Sci-Fi Teen Adventure Action Adventure Drama Sci-Fi Thriller War

Coriolanus Snow mentors and develops feelings for the female District 12 tribute during the 10th Hunger Games.Coriolanus Snow mentors and develops feelings for the female District 12 tribute during the 10th Hunger Games.Coriolanus Snow mentors and develops feelings for the female District 12 tribute during the 10th Hunger Games.

See production info at IMDbPro

IMDb RATING

6.7/10

147K

YOUR RATING

POPULARITY

344

See production info at IMDbPro

Awards
- 7 wins & 22 nominations

Trivia
The statue of Lady Justice seen in the Capitol holds two swords instead of a sword and scales. This is reflective of how the Capitol views justice as a victory over the Districts instead of as a balance or equilibrium. She also wears no blindfold, indicating that the idea of justice in the Capitol is not blind to status or wealth and is a corrupt system.

Goofs
(at around 2h 5 mins) Before Coriolanus is about to jump on the truck to meet up with Lucy Gray, he is seen hiding behind another truck. The camera then pans to the gate which has stationed guards on the same side that he is hiding, meaning the guards should be able to see him hiding in plain sight.

Quotes
[last lines]
Older Coriolanus Snow: [voice-over] It's the things we love most, that destroy us.

Crazy credits
In the opening scene, set during the "Dark Days", an unnamed man is seen apparently engaging in cannibalism; this character is (bizarrely) listed as "Respectable Man" in the closing credits.

Connections
Featured in WatchMojo: Top 10 Most Anticipated Franchises Returning in 2023 (2023)

Soundtracks
can't catch me now
Written by Olivia Rodrigo and Dan Nigro (as Daniel Nigro)
Performed by Olivia Rodrigo
Produced by Dan Nigro (as Daniel Nigro)
Courtesy of Geffen Records

User reviews843

Review

Featured review

8/10

Pleasantly Surprised

I will start by saying I don't think it's an 8, maybe a 7.5-7.7 so I rounded up.

However, I went in with low expectations, expecting a big budget movie with a poor storyline but otherwise reasonably watchable. Well, I was pleasantly surprised to find myself hooked! And I daresay it was one of the better Hunger Games movies.

The bad reviews I've read seem to miss the point. This is not a story about the origin of the games, it is not a story about 'Lucy Gray" (even though her name is said about 1000 times)... It is a story about Snow and why he became the psychopath we know from the original stories. I found the not-so-happy ending refreshing and if you enjoy and understand social economic/philosophical dilemmas in terms of human psychology then it adds a notch of appreciation.

Viola, Tom and Peter were excellent in their portrayals. Zegler was fine, a little theatrical but given her background I suppose understandable.

I don't understand the hate. Especially the 1-3* reviews. Like, what were you watching!?