The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes 2023

2h 37m | PG-13 | 7.2 | (51K) | 54 Metascore

The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes takes place in the year 2023, years before the events of the original Hunger Games trilogy. This prequel focuses on the 10th annual Hunger Games and explores the early life of Coriolanus Snow, the future President of Panem.

Coriolanus Snow, a young academy student from the affluent Snow family, is chosen to be a mentor for the Games. He is assigned to mentor District 12's tribute, a young girl named Lucy Gray Baird, whose talent for singing captivates both the Capitol and the districts. Coriolanus sees this as an opportunity to regain his family's lost glory and secure a prosperous future for himself.

As the Games approach, Coriolanus develops a complex relationship with Lucy Gray. Despite his initial disdain for the District 12 tributes, he becomes intrigued by her spirit and resilience. Lucy Gray's unique personality and enchanting voice start to win over the Capitol audience, gaining her supporters from all corners of Panem.

Throughout the Games, Coriolanus faces challenges and moral dilemmas. As he becomes more entangled with Lucy Gray, he starts questioning the oppressive nature of the Capitol and its treatment of the districts. With each passing day, Coriolanus finds himself torn between his loyalty to the Capitol and his growing empathy for the tributes and the people suffering under the Capitol's rule.

As the Games progress, Coriolanus realizes that the Capitol's motives reach far beyond mere entertainment. There are political games being played in the background, with higher stakes than he could have imagined. Disillusioned by the true nature of the Hunger Games, Coriolanus must make difficult choices that will redefine his future and the future of Panem itself.

In the end, the Hunger Games conclude with an unexpected twist, leaving Coriolanus and Lucy Gray's fate uncertain. Coriolanus must face the consequences of his decisions and the realization that his actions may have far-reaching effects, setting in motion a chain of events that will shape the future of Panem, leading to the dystopian society depicted in the original trilogy.

"The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes" delves into the origins of Coriolanus Snow, exploring his transformation from a privileged young man into the ruthless dictator later known as President Snow. It raises questions about power, morality, and the lengths one is willing to go to in order to maintain control.