The latest installment inThe Hunger Gamesfranchise has a better understanding of its central love story than the first film in the series.The Hunger Gamesfilms are based on the dystopian novel series by Suzanne Collins, in whichindividuals from the twelve districts of Panem compete in the titular fight to the death until only one victor remains. The film series began with 2012’sThe Hunger Games, which centers on tributes from District 12, Katniss Everdeen (Jennifer Lawrence) and Peeta Mellark (Josh Hutcherson).
In 2023,The Hunger Gamestimelinewas further expanded upon onscreen with the prequelThe Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes. Focused on the 10th annual Hunger Games,The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakesexplores the mentor-tribute relationship between Coriolanus Snow (Tom Blyth) andDistrict 12’s tribute Lucy Gray Baird(Rachel Zegler). LikeThe Hunger Games,The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakeshas a strong balance between action and drama, though the latter works far better as a love story than the 2012 film that started it all.
The Romance Is Darker And Provides Additional Context For The Future President Of Panem
However, inThe Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes, which doesn’t have to establish nearly as many stakes or rules of the Games, there is a lot more room to explorethe complicated relationship between Lucy Gray and Coriolanus. In the film, Coriolanus takes on the role of Lucy Gray’s mentor, and the two grow close, heavily relying on one another for what they seek to gain from the Games.The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakesfollows Coriolanus before he becomes a tyrannical ruler,with Lucy Gray’s purported betrayal playing a significant role in Coriolanus' shift in character.
With Coriolanus' future in the audience’s mind, his relationship with Lucy Gray is seen as doomed from the start.
With Coriolanus' future in the audience’s mind, his relationship with Lucy Gray is seen as doomed from the start, and their romance is largely defined by its elements of betrayal, tragedy, and power. Additionally,Coriolanus and Lucy Gray’s differences in social status establish a compelling obstacle in their relationship that isn’t present with Katniss and Peeta. Despite their difference in class and the way Coriolanus' desire for power clashes with Lucy Gray’s rebellious nature against the Capitol, the two have an undeniable connection.
After the Games,the two explore a relationship that is equally romantic and treacherous, but is ultimately cut shortwhen Coriolanus places his status in the Capitol above all else. The two characters' tension-filled romance is not only elevated by their compelling power dynamic and conflicting worldviews, but also by Blyth and Zegler’s chemistry and fully realized performances as well.
Zegler And Blyth’s Performances Keep Audiences Invested Despite Their Characters' Inevitable Tragic Ending
The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes' endingis somewhat ambiguous, particularly when it comes to Lucy Gray’s fate, butBlyth and Zegler still have a more complete love story to work with than Lawrence and Hutchersondo in the firstHunger Gamesfilm. While Lucy Gray and Coriolanus don’t have a coveted romance by any means, Blyth and Zegler bring their characters to life in such a way that allows audiences to easily care for them.
Both Zegler and Blyth are charming in the way their characters require them to be, and they deftly balance Lucy Gray and Coriolanus' shared attraction and mistrust of one another, especially in the film’s third act.The actors' chemistry is the driving force of the film, from scenes of Coriolanus and Lucy Gray’s initial scheming in the Games to their time after the Games are over, where audiences are presented with a serene, yet unrealistic look at what their future could have looked like had Coriolanus gone down a different path.
The Hunger Games
Cast
The Hunger Games is a dystopian thriller set in Panem, where annually selected tributes from twelve districts compete in a televised battle to the death. The story follows Katniss Everdeen, who must navigate the brutal competition and rely on her instincts and mentor’s guidance to survive and possibly return home.
The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes
The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes is a prequel movie set 64 years before the events of the original movie with Katniss Everdeen. The film centers on a young Coriolanus Snow (Tom Blyth) and shows his rise to power as the leader of Panem. Taking place during the 10th Hunger Games, Snow is tasked with mentoring Lucy Gray Baird (Rachel Zegler), the tribute from District 12.
