With the release of the Hunger Games prequel, “The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes,” Hunger Games and the actors have become all the rave, once again.
There are obvious reasons why some characters are better than others, but here is my take on the best and the worst of the Hunger Games characters:
- Finnick odair
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Where to begin?
Finnick Odair was featured as a character in “Catching Fire,” “Mockingjay — Part 1” and “Mockingjay — Part 2.” Aside from being, objectively, the most attractive character in the Hunger Games series, Odair showed immense bravery when fighting alongside Katniss Everdeen during the Second Rebellion.
Odair is from District Four, known as the district for fishing, and was reaped in the 65th annual Hunger Games. Odair won his game at the young age of 14.
Odair demonstrates bravery and loyalty during both the “Mockingjay” films when he does everything in his power to protect Katniss and the revolution.
During this game, Odair swore to an alliance with Everdeen and Peeta Mellark to protect them. Aside from being gorgeous, Odair was brave, courageous and loyal throughout the entire series.
- katniss everdeen
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Katniss Everdeen, the main character of “The Hunger Games” franchise, is known for her selflessness and bravery.
During the reaping of the 74th annual Hunger Games, Prim Everdeen, Katniss’s sister, was reaped at the age of 12.
During the reaping, Katniss Everdeen volunteered to participate in the games in place of her little sister. What could be more selfless than that? She demonstrated acts of bravery, loyalty and courage throughout the series.
Everdeen moves on to become the face of the revolution and fight against the injustices that President Snow inflicted. She’s a main character that you want to root for and there’s a reason the premise of the trilogy rests on her shoulders.
- Peeta mellark
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The golden boy of the Hunger Games franchise.
Peeta Mellark fought in the 74th annual Hunger Games alongside Katniss Everdeen. Despite his relationship with Everdeen not being very strong prior to the games, Mellark makes multiple efforts to ease his partner’s experience in the game.
During Mellark’s interview with Caesar Flickerman in the first movie, Mellark announced to the crowd that he had romantic feelings for Everdeen previous to the games. Mellark strategically mentioned this during the interview to earn the sympathy of the Capitol and sponsors.
Although Mellark is not necessarily strong or skilled in fighting, he used his artistic talents to survive and his emotional charisma to sway sponsors to donate to him and Everdeen.
- Johanna mason
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Johanna Mason is a victor of the 71st annual Hunger Games. She is initially introduced in the series as one of Everdeen’s competitors in the 75th annual Hunger Games.
While at first Mason appears as a threat to Everdeen and Mellark, it becomes clear early on that Mason developed an alliance with them.
Mason’s lore is what makes her sacrifices more incredible. After Mason won her games, she refused to be controlled by President Snow and as a result, all of her loved ones were brutally murdered.
Despite being tortured by President Snow and aware of his capabilities, Mason stays committed to helping Everdeen and Mellark survive the games and rescue them from the arena.
- prim everdeen
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Primrose Everdeen is the younger sister of Katniss Everdeen. While Prim Everdeen does not play a major role in the series, in her limited time she demonstrated true acts of courage and kindness.
For example, when Gale received floggings for retaliating against a peacekeeper, Prim Everdeen rushed to his aid and used her medical knowledge to help heal him.
Prim Everdeen is shown throughout the entire series putting others before her and using her medical background to save lives.
While she cannot fight like Katniss, her efforts do not go unrecognized.
- haymitch Abernathy
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As many are familiar, Haymitch Abernathy was Katniss Everdeen and Mellark’s mentor during their first game. While he is not the worst character, he has many flaws.
It was made very clear that Abernathy suffered from alcoholism early in the series. It is likely that he used alcohol to cope with his trauma from winning the 50th Hunger Games.
Just like all the victors, Abernathy was victimized by the Capitol. It is understandable why Abernathy acts rashly and carelessly during his mentorship.
Personally, I believe that despite his trauma, he could have been more sympathetic and emotionally available with Everdeen and Mellark during the process.
- caesar flickerman
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Caesar Flickerman is the face of the Hunger Games for many citizens of the Capitol. He hosts a talk show featuring every tribute prior to the games to help potential sponsors get to know them.
While he is always seen with a happy smile and bonding with the tributes, Flickerman indirectly causes harm to every individual in Panem.
By promoting the entertainment of the Hunger Games, he is normalizing the murders that have taken place over the years. In simple terms, by supporting or participating in anything that brings attention to the Hunger Games, he becomes part of a larger issue.
There are some things that smiles and chatter cannot fix.
- Alma coin
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At first, President Coin offers Katniss Everdeen and her loved ones refuge in District 13 after the bombings in District 12. Coin appears to be dependable and accommodating to Katniss Everdeen during the rise of the revolution.
While Coin offered many people protection, shelter and nourishment, Katniss Everdeen started to notice something else about Coin.
It became clear during the “Mockingjay” films that President Coin had her own political agenda and was manipulating The Mockingjay for her benefit.
- President snow
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President Snow is the president of Panem and resides in the Capitol. In “The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes,” we learn that his father was one of the original creators of the Hunger Games. However, Snow is the reason the Games became the spectacle they were by the main trilogy.
President Snow made personal threats to Everdeen, sold Odair to Capitol residents, murdered Mason’s loved ones and bombed the entirety of District 12.
It is observed throughout the series that President Snow uses fear to control his people and has no interference of ethics in his judgment.
President Snow is the center piece of the puzzle that is the Hunger Games.
- Gale hawthornE
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For some, this may come as a shock (although I doubt it). Throughout the series, Gale demonstrates acts of selfishness, stubbornness, recklessness and envy.
Acknowledging that Everdeen was under impossible circumstances and facing life or death situations, Gale guilted Everdeen when he discovered her new romance with Mellark.
Even before Everdeen’s triumph in the 74th Hunger Games, he shamed her for mingling with people from the capitol. Despite being told about how she and her family are being actively threatened by President Snow, he refused to sympathize.
On top of everything else, Gale bombed a refugee camp in the Capitol during the revolution. This resulted in him murdering innocent civilians including Everdeen’s little sister, Prim.
I hope everyone enjoys the movies and the reawakening of our adolescent Hunger Games obsessions!