Dive into the intriguing tale of Coriolanus Snow’s transformation into the character we recognise today. The film kicks off with a gripping flashback featuring Coriolanus and Tigris Snow witnessing a distressing event, where a desperate man resorts to drastic measures for survival. Fast-forward to an 18-year-old Coriolanus Snow, despite his low social status, he lives in the Capital city. The plot thickens as he finds himself thrust into the challenging role of mentoring a tribute for The Hunger Games.

In the grim tradition of selecting a boy and a girl from each district to battle to the death in an arena. Coriolanus Snows tribute is Lucy Gray Baird, from the poverty-stricken district 12. Lucy Gray with her spirited nature and charming personality, possesses a hauntingly beautiful voice that sends shivers down your spine.

Despite Rachel Zegler’s previous controversies and clash with the Snow-White live action film, her performance and captivating voice left me with goosebumps throughout the entire movie. Despite their differences, Snow and Lucy join forces to navigate the challenges of The Hunger Games.

While Songbirds and Snakes may not be as flashy as the past franchise featuring Katniss and Peeta in The Hunger Games and catching fire, the games, though simpler, carry a heavy emotional weight. Pulling at your emotions as you watch kids stepping into the arena, knowing the grim outcome that awaits them. Lucy Gray Baird wins the 10th Hunger Games, but the victory comes with a heavy price.

In the initial half of the film, Coriolanus Snow’s compassionate side shines through as he forms a genuine connection with Lucy, both sharing the experience of being orphans. His heartfelt efforts to protect her unfold, creating an emotional bond. However, the narrative takes a darker turn in the second half when he’s forced to take a life in self-defence. Exiled to District 12 as a consequence of breaking the rules, now serving as a peacekeeper, Snow grapples with conflicting emotions. Despite feeling empathy for the rebels, he faces the internal struggles of doing the right thing and self-preservation. The tension rises as we witness the internal conflict, we see glimpses of the person he’s becoming and it’s clear he won’t end up as the good guy we once thought.

As a devoted Hunger Games fan, I can confidently say the film lived up to the hype. The design of Lucy Gray’s dress was nothing short of amazing, capturing the essence of her character. The production and the actors did a fantastic job making the dystopian world come to life. The emotional journey of the film lingered, leaving me with a sorrowful aftertaste of its impactful storytelling. The film coming out at a time like this was very meaningful.