Directed by FrancisLawrence, already behind several installments of the original saga, Hunger Games: The Ballad of the Serpent and the Songbird is set in the dystopian world of Panem, long before the emergence of Katniss Everdeen. Adapted from the novel by Suzanne Collins, this feature film stars Tom Blyth, Rachel Zegler and Peter Dinklage, in an original story centered on a key character in the saga: Coriolanus Snow. A cross between psychological thriller, political drama and adventure film, this tale promises to explore the roots of ambition and power in a world shattered by war.
Hunger Games: The Ballad of the Serpent and the Songbird will be broadcast on Prime Video from April 25, 2025.
Synopsis: Young Coriolanus is the last hope of his lineage, the once proud and wealthy Snow family now fallen from grace in post-war Capitol Hill. As the 10th HUNGER GAMES approaches, he is reluctantly assigned to mentor Lucy Gray Baird, a tributary from District 12, Panem's poorest and most despised. With Lucy Gray's charm captivating the public, Snow sees an opportunity to change his destiny, and joins forces with her to tip the scales in their favor. Struggling against his instincts, torn between good and evil, Snow races against time to survive and discover whether he will ultimately become a songbird or a snake.
This film will appeal to fans of the Hunger Games saga from the very beginning, curious to discover the genesis of the Games themselves. Through the journey of Coriolanus Snow, the tyrannical future president, this story develops the themes of power, media manipulation and social struggle, in a world where survival is political.
The film will appeal not only to fans of complex dystopian tales, but also to those who enjoy character-building stories in which the hero evolves through moral ambiguity. The atmosphere, darker than previous installments, could also evoke certain aspects of Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith or Game of Thrones, notably in the exploration of the origins of an emblematic and controversial character.
With Tom Blyth as Coriolanus Snow and Rachel Zegler as the charismatic young heroine, Hunger Games: The Ballad of the Serpent and the Songbird adds to the already well-established world of Panem. This prequel promises a more psychological and political dive into the mechanisms of domination, while retaining the spectacular elements typical of the franchise. A proposition that could appeal as much to die-hard fans as to newcomers attracted by tales of transformation and power.
Our opinion on Hunger Games: The Ballad of the Serpent and the Songbird:
Hunger Games is a typical product of its time. A dystopian saga for teenagers adapted from a series of books, it launched a very lively craze in the first half of the 2010s, which came to a screeching halt as quickly as it appeared. So to launch a new Hunger Games movie in 2023, eight years after the release of the last installment, is quite a gamble. In any case, the film has been awaited by a whole generation of fans, and their expectations are about to be fulfilled.
Yes, this new Hunger Games is much better than its predecessors, and perhaps even the best sequel to the first film. Even if the book was a disappointment. This adaptation may be extremely faithful, but it surpasses the original material, and that's rare enough to be mentioned. This superiority is due to Francis Lawrence's staging, while classic, which is very well executed from start to finish, and makes a welcome change from the random wanderings of American Marvel blockbusters. The film is long, and at 2 hours 40 minutes, it totally immerses us in this dense fresco, divided into three distinct parts, a veritable trilogy in a single film. In fact, there's never a dull moment. The idea of taking the point of view of Coriolanus Snow, who will become the saga's great villain, is a judicious one. Above all, it allows us to see something rare in a blockbuster of this caliber: the idealistic, naive hero becomes a monster.
The film's greatest strength lies in its cast. While the main character is played by a virtual unknown, Tom Blyth, this Hunger Games boasts some very fine names in its supporting cast. Old-timers Viola Davis, Peter Dinklage and Jason Schwartzman ham it up and have the time of their lives in these colorful roles. Above all, Rachel Zegler continues to prove that she is one of the greatest actresses of the emerging new generation. We could almost ask for more.
Prime Video: new Amazon Originals and Exclusive films and series in April 2025
April 2025 promises a wealth of discoveries on Prime Video, with previously unseen Amazon Originals or Exclusives and plenty of other surprises. [Read more]
Don't know what to watch? To find your way around the endless catalogs of streaming platforms, rely on our guide! Netflix, Disney +, Prime Video, Paramount+, Apple TV+, Max... Here's a quick roundup of films and series to watch right now. [Read more]
Feeling like curling up in front of the TV today? We've got the week's releases on your favorite streaming platforms, Netflix, Amazon Prime Video and Disney+! [Read more]
Prime Video: new Amazon Originals and Exclusive films and series in April 2025
New films and series on streaming platforms in April 2025
Streaming: what are we watching this Sunday April 13, 2025 on Netflix, Amazon and Disney+ platforms?
