The Hunger Games prequel, The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes, comes to theatres in just under five days. The film follows a young Coriolanus (later President) Snow, who in an effort to restore his family’s prestige, offers to volunteer as a mentor for the 10th annual Hunger Games as part of a school project. Despite being set in the same universe, there are notable differences between the franchise everyone has come to love and its prequel. As someone who has read the novel it is based on, here are the five things to know before watching the film. Potential spoilers below.
1. It Takes place 64 years before the events of the first novel.
The Capitol from Katniss’s story is decidedly futuristic and appears decades ahead of the Districts in terms of its technological advancement. However, 64 years ago,Panem was more retro, featuring televisions and cameras resembling technology from the 1950s. The setting and imagery allows audiences to immerse themselves in the world of the prequel, while also speaking to how fast the Capitol developed in the future by exploiting the districts.
2. the games look a lot different.
Whereas in the original installment, the Games themselves have become an established part of Panem culture, Songbirds and Snakes is set only a decade after the initial uprising. Hence, the Games are not so much an elaborate spectacle, but rather, serve as a straightforward militant punishment for the children of the rebellion. The book describes the arena as a football stadium, repurposed for the Capitol’s cruel games.
3. the main character is not another katniss.
Though the film’s main character, Lucy Gray Baird, is from District 12, her similarities to Katniss end there. While Katniss was portrayed as stoic and uninterested in the Capitol’s games, Lucy Gray delights in charming her spectators from the day of her reaping. She’s a born performer, and as signified by her rainbow dress, is bright, flamboyant, and sure of herself—a notable departure from the original trilogy’s main character.
4. the film follows a new perspective.
Katniss was easy to root for. Despite her difficult upbringing, she showed such determination, capability, and utter selflessness that it was easy to sympathize with her journey. The story of the prequel’s main character is more complex. While I was initially hesitant to read a book about the ruthless dictator I have come to know in the earlier films, I found the novel itself didn’t necessarily ask audiences to root for President Snow. Without giving away too much, I’m curious to see whether the film will change how audiences see him.
5. the central love story is more complex.
Finally, the central love story in Songbirds and Snakes is much darker than the love triangle I’m sure we’re all familiar with. Though they began as hesitant allies, Peeta and Katniss developed romantic feelings for one another in the most challenging of times, and by Catching Fire, would do anything to keep one another alive. While Snow does develop feelings for Lucy Gray during his time as her mentor, their love story involves a much greater power dynamic not seen within the original film. It’s Lucy Gray who has to fight for her life in the arena and endure the Capitol’s violence, while Snow remains safely removed with the Gamemakers.