In this prequel to The Hunger Games, a young Coriolanus Snow – decades before becoming the tyrannical President of Panem – battles his instincts between good and evil as he mentors Lucy Gray Baird in the 10th Hunger Games. Based on the novel by Suzanne Collins, a film by Francis Lawrence, starring Tom Blyth, Rachel Zegler, Peter Dinklage, Jason Schwartzman, Hunter Schafer, Josh Andrés Rivera, and Viola Davis.

Three years before the first annual Hunger Games, war ravages the country of Panem. General Crassus Snow lies dead, a casualty of the First Rebellion between the Capitol and the Districts. Eight-year-old Coriolanus (Dexter Sol Ansell) and his cousin Tigris (Rosa Gotzler) find themselves under the care of their grandmother. The once wealthy and powerful Snow family now struggles to survive.

Following a decade of hardship, 18-year-old Coriolanus Snow (Tom Blyth) lives with his 21-year-old cousin Tigris (Hunter Schafer) and their grandmother (Fionnula Flanagan). The Snows’ wealth originated in the munitions industry of District 13, now a smoldering ruin courtesy of the Capitol’s ruthless might. Their survival hinges on Coriolanus’s graduation and his potential claim to the Plinth Prize, a substantial sum established by Strabo Plinth, a war profiteer. Coriolanus dreams of using this windfall to secure his university tuition, a chance to resurrect the Snow family’s glory from the ashes of war and poverty.

Anticipation hangs heavy in the air as students and faculty await the announcement. They’ve been summoned to celebrate the 10th annual Reaping Ceremony, a grim spectacle where two children from each district are chosen and thrown into the arena to fight to the death in the Hunger Games. Sejanus, son of the Strabo Plinth, aware of Coriolanus’s burning ambition for the Plinth Prize, drops a bombshell: there will be no prize announcement today.

Dr. Volumnia Gaul (Viola Davis), the austere Head Gamemaker, takes the stage. All eyes turn to the podium as she welcomes the architect of the Hunger Games, the enigmatic Dean Casca Highbottom (Peter Dinklage). Highbottom unveils a final, twisted challenge, that twenty-four prospective students will be tasked with mentoring the tributes for the Hunger Games. The most masterful mentor, the one who can transform their tribute into a captivating spectacle, will be bestowed with the Plinth Prize. Highbottom advises mentors to focus on how to make their tributes into spectacular attractions that reignite the public’s interest in the Hunger Games, which has grown tired in recent years.

Coriolanus Snow is assigned to mentor the District 12 female tribute, Lucy Gray Baird. Aware of Highbottom’s sinister plan to ensure his failure, Coriolanus follows Tigris’s advice to gain Lucy’s trust. He stands waiting at the train station where the tributes arrive in the Capitol, then rides with Lucy and the others to the zoo where they’re displayed like wild animals. His unconventional approach sparks Lucy’s popularity among Capitol citizens and earns her trust. However, Coriolanus knows it won’t be enough to guarantee her survival, let alone victory in the Hunger Games.

A visually stunning dystopian action film, directed by Francis Lawrence, serves as a captivating prequel to the 2012 blockbuster “THE HUNGER GAMES.” Based on the 2020 novel “The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes” by American author Suzanne Collins, the film delves into the life of a young and ambitious Coriolanus Snow, tracing the events that ultimately set him on the path to becoming the tyrannical President of Panem.

The Ballad of SONGBIRDS & SNAKES offers a fascinating glimpse into the early life of the Hunger Games’ notorious antagonist, Coriolanus Snow. We witness his brief, yet impactful, relationship with the elusive songbird, Lucy Gray Baird, whom he guides towards victory in the Games as part of his own ambitious plan. While the film’s first and second parts compellingly delve into a fascinating peek into his rise to power, its pacing falters as it grapples with the Hunger Games themselves. This section feels stretched thin, exceeding its welcome with drawn-out sequences that leave viewers yearning for a tighter edit.

In stark contrast, the third part, where Coriolanus becomes a Peacekeeper in District 12, suffers from the opposite problem. Rushed through key moments, it fails to provide enough emotional depth and character development, we’re swept from one scene to the next, with little time to connect with the characters or their struggles.

Adding to the pacing dilemma is the film’s reliance on musical interludes. While Lucy Gray’s songs play a vital role in her story, their frequency can feel excessive. This inconsistency leaves viewers wondering whether the film intended to be a musical, further impacting its overall coherence.

Despite these shortcomings, the film maintains its allure with its intriguing premise and strong performances. Tom Blyth shines as the charismatic young Snow, hinting at the darkness that will engulf him later. It’s worth a watch for Hunger Games fans, but be prepared for some unevenness.

THE HUNGER GAMES: The Ballad of SONGBIRDS & SNAKES premiered in Berlin on 5 November 2023. The film was theatrically released in the United States on 17 November.