hunger games film essay

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Like many science-fiction stories, “The Hunger Games” portrays a future that we're invited to read as a parable for the present. After the existing nations of North America are destroyed by catastrophe, a civilization named Panem rises from the ruins. It's ruled by a vast, wealthy Capitol inspired by the covers of countless sci-fi magazines and surrounded by 12 “districts” that are powerless satellites.

As the story opens, the annual ritual of the Hunger Games is beginning; each district must supply a “tribute” of a young woman and man, and these 24 finalists must fight to the death in a forested “arena” where hidden cameras capture every move.

This results in a television production that apparently holds the nation spellbound and keeps the citizens content. Mrs. Link, my high school Latin teacher, will be proud that I recall one of her daily phrases, “panem et circenses,” which summarized the Roman formula for creating a docile population: Give them bread and circuses. A vision of present-day America is summoned up, its citizenry glutted with fast food and distracted by reality TV. How is the population expected to accept the violent sacrifice of 24 young lives a year? How many have died in our recent wars?

The story centers on the two tributes from the dirt-poor District 12: Katniss Everdeen ( Jennifer Lawrence ) and Peeta Mellark ( Josh Hutcherson ). The 16-year-old girl hunts deer with bow and arrow to feed her family; he may be hunkier but seems no match in survival skills. They're both clean-cut, All-Panem types, and although one or both are eventually required to be dead, romance is a possibility.

In contrast with these healthy young people, the ruling class in the Capitol are effete decadents. Effie Trinket ( Elizabeth Banks ), bedecked in gaudy costumery and laden with garish cosmetics, emcees the annual drawing for tributes, and the nation gets to know the finalists on a talk show hosted by Caesar Flickerman ( Stanley Tucci ), who suggests what Donald Trump might do with his hair if he had enough of it.  

The executive in charge is the gamemaker, Seneca ( Wes Bentley ), who has a beard so bizarrely designed that Satan would be envious. At the top of the society is the president ( Donald Sutherland ), a sagacious graybeard who harbors deep thoughts. In interviews, Sutherland has equated the younger generation with leftists and Occupiers. The old folks in the Capitol are no doubt a right-wing oligarchy. My conservative friends, however, equate the young with the Tea Party and the old with decadent Elitists. “The Hunger Games,” like many parables, will show you exactly what you seek in it.

The scenes set in the Capitol and dealing with its peculiar characters have a completely different tone than the scenes of conflict in the Arena. The ruling class is painted in broad satire and bright colors. Katniss and the other tributes are seen in earth-toned realism; this character could be another manifestation, indeed, of Jennifer Lawrence's Oscar-nominated character Ree in “ Winter's Bone .” The plot even explains why she's adept at bow and arrow. 

One thing I missed, however, was more self-awareness on the part of the tributes. As their names are being drawn from a fish bowl (!) at the Reaping, the reactions of the chosen seem rather subdued, considering the odds are 23-to-1 that they'll end up dead. Katniss volunteers to take the place of her 12-year-old kid sister, Prim (Willow Shields), but no one explicitly discusses the fairness of deadly combat between girl children and 18-year-old men. Apparently the jaded TV audiences of Panem have developed an appetite for barbarity. Nor do Katniss and Peeta reveal much thoughtfulness about their own peculiar position.

“The Hunger Games” is an effective entertainment, and Jennifer Lawrence is strong and convincing in the central role. But the film leapfrogs obvious questions in its path, and avoids the opportunities sci-fi provides for social criticism; compare its world with the dystopias in “ Gattaca ” or “ The Truman Show .”  Director Gary Ross and his writers (including the series' author, Suzanne Collins ) obviously think their audience wants to see lots of hunting-and-survival scenes, and has no interest in people talking about how a cruel class system is using them. Well, maybe they're right. But I found the movie too long and deliberate as it negotiated the outskirts of its moral issues.

Roger Ebert

Roger Ebert was the film critic of the Chicago Sun-Times from 1967 until his death in 2013. In 1975, he won the Pulitzer Prize for distinguished criticism.

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The Hunger Games (2012)

Rated PG-13 for intense violent thematic material and disturbing images — all involving teens

142 minutes

Jennifer Lawrence as Katniss

Josh Hutcherson as Peeta

Liam Hemsworth as Gale

Elizabeth Banks as Effie

Woody Harrelson as Haymitch

Lenny Kravitz as Cinna

Wes Bentley as Seneca

Directed by

• Suzanne Collins

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The Hunger Games and a Cannibalistic Government

By McKinliegh Kiel

Written during one of America’s worst economic crises since the Great Depression, The Hunger Games (2008) time travels to a dystopian future — or utopian, depending on where you’re from in this future — when an impoverished girl puts her life on the line just to protect her younger sister who is selected for execution. When the film was released in 2012, amidst protests and civil unrest, it became popular for its portrayal of government corruption and the televised gladiatorial-esque battle royales. Set in the country of Panem, North America’s soon-to-be reincarnation, Katniss Everdeen’s fight for survival isn’t anything new to her as people are sucking on bones just to survive. However, in this world, under the rule of an uncaring, totalitarian government, food is not just an everyday necessity but a form of submission in order to force viewership and participation in the Capitol’s favorite pastime.

There is little when it comes to representation in The Hunger Games when it comes to race and ability. The majority of the cast is white aside from characters that are explicitly stated as being black like Rue, Thresh, and Cinna. The book describes Katniss as having black hair, olive skin, and gray eyes common among District 12’s working class. Professor Natalie Wilson, who teaches contemporary literature and popular culture at California State University, writes in their article “A Whitewashed Hunger Games” that District 12’s working class is “divided by race [from] the merchant class having ‘light hair and blue eyes’“. They continue on by explaining that instead of portraying the book’s racial differences between characters, the film utilizes stereotypes of black individuals with its casting and portrayal of POC characters. The book also mentions a loss of hearing with Katniss and Peeta receiving a prosthetic after the games, but both changes in ability are glossed over in the film and magically fixed after the games. The only true disability shown in the film is with the Avoxes, individuals who tried to rebel against the Capitol and were caught, and subsequently had their tongues cut out. In comparison, that’s only a minor punishment for going against the Capitol’s status quo.

The entire premise of The Hunger Games is a fight-to-the-death annual event that the film is named after — these Hunger Games were a punishment for the 12 Districts that make up Panem outside of the Capitol. At the Reaping — a lottery-like ceremony that decides that year’s teenage participants, or Tributes — a film plays (12:19) and describes the Capitol’s reasoning for the games as a ‘reminder’ to the remaining districts, of which there were originally 13. The games were the solution to how “[Panem] swore as a nation [they] would never know this treason again. . . This is how we safeguard [their] future.” During the Reaping Katniss’sister, Prim is chosen and instead of letting her get killed Katniss volunteers to take Prim’s place. The other tribute is chosen, a boy named Peeta Mellark. The Capitol’s representative whisks them away to the Capitol for training, advice from prior years’ winners and interviews before the games begin. During said time, Peeta confesses his love for Katniss, which later becomes a survival strategy for the two in the arena. After a week, all 24 Tributes are thrown into an arena designed by the Gamemakers, or the individuals who design each year’s games and control the arena during said games. There they are expected to fight against the other 23 and survive threats from the arena’s flora and fauna. The fighting is meant to keep going until one Tribute, or Victor is left alive, but the 74th Games have dual winners with Katniss and Peeta. They both planned on eating poisonous berries and leaving the Capitol with no Victor for that year. Two star-crossed lovers who would rather die than let the other kill themselves were able to bring together a nation with their heartwarming love story. In all actuality though, the country is more divided than ever.

Despite being one country, Panem is separated by difference – it’s defined by the fact that it’s separated into parts. There’s the Capitol and the Districts, the bourgeoisie and the proletariat, the 1% and the 99%. We receive the first example of the disconnect and difference between the Capitol and District at the Reaping. Even though it feels like a minute detail, the costuming decisions are a major part of defining the difference in how each group is favored by the government of Panem. It also helps to set up part of the film’s diegesis. The residents of District 12 are dressed in a fashion similar to what people would have worn in the United States, just prior to World War II. It’s all simple and humble styled clothing, nothing calls too much attention to one person. The film’s costume designer, Judianna Makovsky said in an interview with Vogue that they wanted to “keep it mostly gray or blue. . . very cold [environment] because coal leaves a black dust everywhere.” This costuming decision of old and tacky clothing reflects how the government doesn’t consider District 12 as important other than what they provide.

In comparison, we have someone like Effie Trinket. Against District 12’s dull color palette, Effie stands out like a sore thumb with her magenta-pink-colored, 1930s, and 18th-century hybrid clothing, hair, and accessories — it dominates your vision in an all but subtle way. She’s an imposing figure, who looks almost ghostly or sickly with her lack of eyebrows and stark white makeup. There are more examples of this over-the-top and decadent fashion sense when we move into the Capitol. Makovsky wanted to make the Capitol residents look striking, but not exactly scary, more like something you would see come off of a high fashion runway. They’re covered in ruffles, flowers, sequins, and furs in varying bright colors and broken up by spots of black. They’re spoiled by the government, being kept closer to itself than extremities like the outer Districts of 10, 11, and 12. When Katniss and Peeta’s chariot starts rolling out during the Games’ opening ceremony, the crowd goes wild to see that the pair appears to be on fire (32:32). It’s indicative of Capitol residents, and the debauched society they live in, vicious streak, fascination with violence, but also their childlike perception of reality.

This whimsy and excess carry over to the Capitol’s perception of food. Contrasting the lack of food in District 12 where people are dying from starvation, the Capitol residents live in abundance thanks to the hard work that the Districts are subjected to. Almost every scene that takes place on the train going from District 12 to the Capitol has food or drink in the shot. When Katniss and Peeta are boarding the train that will take them to the Capitol, a non-diegetic, angelic soundtrack dominates the film’s audio (20:45). There’s one shot where the camera has a change in its depth of field, going from a shallow focused and moving shot on the food set out to focus on Katniss’ and Peeta’s surprised facial expressions. Coming onto this train, seeing all this food involved in the room’s decor is like heaven — there’s no one else to share it with, it’s all for them. It’s easily available and plentiful, so much so that they can afford to just leave food out (38:36). In comparison to the malnutrition and starvation taking place in the outer Districts, the Capitol can eat to its heart’s content, or discontent, and then die of obesity. In the Districts, reapable children are required to enter their names into the reaping pool more times in order to receive tessera. The Hunger Games Wiki describes the tesserae system as a “form of voluntary food rationing, offered by the government of Panem. . . [for] a family [or families] struggling for food”. The amount of tesserae, which is equal to a year’s worth of grain and oil, an individual can claim is based on how many family members they have but for each family member, the claiming individual’s name will be entered into the reaping pool. Even though tessera may not be enough to sustain a person, the system serves as another token reminder of how much the Districts rely on the Capitol in order to survive. How much control and power the Capitol holds over the Districts.

The tessera is just one example of the Capitol keeping a hold on the Districts. Peter Suderman, a film critic, in his review, titled “ ‘The Hunger Games’ offers a feast for sci-fi fans” questions how the games don’t spark more unrest and instead control the outer Districts. By keeping Districts hungry, the Capitol incentivizes participation in the games in order to feed themselves and distract from more complicated matters like their lack of human rights. How can you think about rebelling when your stomach is almost constantly rumbling? How can you think about rebelling when you or someone you know is selected annually in a Survivor-type reality show where kids fight and are sent home in coffins when the proceedings are done? But it’s not only the Districts that the Capitol is keeping a leash on as well. Suderman also questions if the Capitol’s residents are active participants in the decisions of the Games and aren’t faced with any moral dilemma when they happen? They really aren’t, they’re being manipulated just as much as the Districts. As the audience of the film, we know about the tesserae system, but do the Capitol residents?

What other footage of the Districts aside from that on Reaping Day are they shown? Or are they like the Districts where communication between Capitol residents and District residents is prohibited like it is from District to District? How do we know that the footage being shown to us is the same being shown to them? Just because we think what we’re watching tells one story, doesn’t mean there isn’t another one behind it. That’s the thing with propaganda, stories are edited to tell a certain narrative to the point that the viewer can’t tell if they’re lied to by footage that may or may not be genuine. We already know that the Capitol has a habit of meddling. During the Games, Seneca Crane, the Head Gamemaker for that year, has fire be introduced in the arena to push Katniss back towards other Tributes and it appears almost out of nowhere (1:16:38). He does the same thing towards the end of the film when Katniss, Peeta, and Cato, a District 2 Tribute, are the only ones left in the Games when huge dogs materialize out of the ground (2:00:28). These, and presumably many more events before and during the Games, are all controlled by a 3D supercomputer (1:13:51). Cinna makes use of special effects to create fake flames with Katniss’ and Peeta’s Tribute parade outfits (32:42) as well as Katniss’ interview dress (55:23). If they can do all that for a special event, what’s to say the Capitol isn’t making these artificial adjustments in everyday programming? The Capitol residents aren’t being complacent because they enjoy watching kids kill each other, they just don’t know any better. They assume that things are like they are in District 1 — entering the Games is an honor and sure, life may not be great in the Districts, but here’s a bunch of food and fancy clothes! If we think about someone like Effie, it’s not that she doesn’t care about Katniss and Peeta when she says “Happy Hunger Games! And may the odds be ever in your favor!” She just doesn’t have the same perspective that the Districts do, she doesn’t see that the odds are stacked against many of the kids in the reaping pool simply because they didn’t have enough to eat. The odds are not in favor of these kids who are risking potentially being sent to their deaths for a little bread.

Many people would argue that The Hunger Games is nothing more than a young adult romance set in a dystopian world, spurring the ‘Team Peeta’ vs ‘Team Gale’, but that’s the point. It looks like just another story about two kids falling in love. It’s just another tactic used by the Capitol. Katniss ends up turning the tables with the involvement of her strategic romance with Peeta — while it does evolve into a true romance in the later films, for this film alone their relationship is nothing more than a means to an end. In the arena, snuggling means medicine and a kiss means food. Haymitch, Katniss and Peeta’s mentor says it himself before the Games, “It’s a television show, and being in love with that boy might just get you sponsors which could save your damn life” (59:50). Which he already had once — after Katniss’ father had died in a mining accident, her remaining family was starving because of the lack of funds coming in. Peeta saw this and intentionally burnt some bread at his family’s bakery so he would have reason to throw out the bread to Katniss in her time of need. Without that bread, she would have died. Of course, the Capitol doesn’t know this — all they know is that Peeta got unlucky enough to be sent to the Games with his long-time crush. A fact that greatly upsets the Capitol residents’ audience. The Gamemakers were all for this narrative as well and played into this — they changed the rules to say that a pair from a District could be considered co-Victors so long as they were the only ones standing (1:46:20). Then Cato dies. Katniss and Peeta climb off of the Cornucopia and instead of being congratulated, the Gamemakers revoke their original rule change (2:07:07). In that moment, they give Katniss two choices: kill or be killed. She chooses neither. She chooses sacrifice. Katniss and Peeta already knew when they were reaped that they were destined for death, Katniss more so by receiving the tesserae and volunteering to save her sister. By pulling out the nightlock berries, Peeta understands what katniss means and the possible consequences that would surmount if they both committed suicide.

What would be the point of the Games if there was no winner, what District would the proceedings go to? Without a Victor, the games would be rendered useless. As President Snow says to Crane earlier in the film, it may be more efficient to just grab 24 kids and kill them on the spot (50:03), but the point of the Games for the Capitol isn’t about saying “look how we can just take your children and all you can do is sit there as we make them fight one another. If you try to fight back if you try to make it stop then you’ll just end the same as District 13”. It’s about giving them just enough hope that they keep holding out for the Capitol to show them more mercy. It’s the whole schtick behind the Capitol – they’re the ones who decided to stop the fighting during the original rebellion, they’re the ones who decided to be merciful and forgiving. How merciful would they look if they didn’t let Katniss and Peeta win together? How much control would they lose? Katniss’s sacrifice would have shown the Districts that they don’t have to play by the Capitol’s rules anymore. They can make their own decisions, not just pick and choose from the ones provided by the Capitol. The Capitol tries to play it off as two kids in love as some wannabe Romeo and Juliet, they were so in love that being alive without the other would be unbearable, they felt that they had no other choice. Katniss is just a love-struck tribute whose actions reflect her romantic feelings for Peeta rather than a desire to rebel. The seed had already been sown, protests breaking out in District 11 after Katniss took the time, put herself in danger, to honor Rue when the little girl from District 11 died. The problem had grown beyond the lack of food — people were starting to see this and were showing the Capitol that they’re not going to put up with being treated as just another television program.

With recent events in mind, I think The Hunger Games has become more relevant than ever. Just like with the residents of the Capitol, we’re almost constantly being bombarded with all types of media. Some of which, we don’t even notice we’re partaking of and take for granted. Who had an affair with who? Look at this person’s fashion fail! The hottest new looks for your hair in 2022! Lose 40 pounds with this one weird trick! Among all the media is footage from other countries about how bad things are and how we can help. How often do we just close the ad or skip the commercial? It’s because we have become so desensitized to violence and suffering, especially through film and television that we don’t seem to care when people are actually suffering. We don’t care when we see it in our present lives, we just keep walking past the homeless person on the street. We don’t need to watch The Hunger Games because we’re already in it. People around the world and in our communities are going hungry while the privileged sit back and watch like it’s just another over-dramatized reality television show.

There’s no way for us to know the full story. How bad life truly is in the Districts or how much the Capitol residents know — all we can know is that what we are seeing has been edited like many things in our lives. How many times have you heard someone say, “don’t trust what you read on the Internet”? We need to take a step back from our lives and our privileges, from everything that we’re intaking and think, ‘what can I do to help’? Things aren’t going to get better if we just ignore them, but you don’t need to be a Katniss Everdeen, the spark to a revolution because of a handful of berries. It’s about making sense of a world whose sense of morality has become blurred and how you define yourself based on the acceptance of that fact. As Edmund Hillary said, “People do not decide to become extraordinary. They decide to accomplish extraordinary things.” That extraordinary thing may just be something as simple as giving someone a loaf of bread.

Acuna, Kirsten. “5 Major Plot Points Missing from ‘The Hunger Games’.” Insider. Insider Inc.; March 27th, 2012.  https://www.businessinsider.com/here-are-5-major-plot-points-missing-from-the-hu nger-games-2012-3. Accessed November 29th, 2021.

Creeden, Molly. “Dressing The Hunger Games: Costume Designer Judianna Makovsky.” Vogue. Condé Nast; March 19th, 2012. https://www.vogue.com/article/dressing-the-hunger-games-costume-designer-judia nna-makovsky. Accessed November 29th, 2021.

Suderman, Peter. “MOVIE REVIEW: ‘The Hunger Games’ offers a feast for sci-fi fans.” The Washington Times. The Washington Times Inc.; March 21st, 2012. https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2012/mar/21/moviereview-the-hunger-games. Accessed 11 November 2021.

“Tessera.” The Hunger Games Wiki. https://thehungergames.fandom.com/wiki/Tessera. Accessed November 30th, 2021.

Wilson, Natalie. “A Whitewashed Hunger Games.” Ms Magazine. Feminist Majority Foundation; April 3rd, 2012. https://msmagazine.com/2012/04/03/a-whitewashed-hunger-games/. Accessed November 29th, 2021.

Difference, Power, and Discrimination in Film and Media: Student Essays Copyright © by Students at Linn-Benton Community College is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License , except where otherwise noted.

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The Hunger Games

Table of contents, important characters, the hunger games film analysis.

The movie begins with non-diegetic text to provide prefacing comments explaining the social context and purpose for the Hunger Games. This serves the purpose of immersing viewers into the make believe world of Panem – viewers immediately know of the social unrest and brutal oppression of the Capitol.

“It’s the way we’ve been able to heal… it’s something that knits us all together”

The opening scene features Seneca Crane (game master) and Caesar Flickerman (master of ceremonies). As the two characters discuss the significance of the Hunger Games, the director predominantly uses the reverse shot . This shot is typical of modern talk shows or TV news interviews – viewers are encouraged to feel a sense of familiarity with this type of media. This point of view emphasises the central theme of social theatre , and highlights the see and be seen culture that pervades the logic of the Capitol. The use of costume, hair, and make up to dress these two influential media personalities also demonstrates the Capitol’s extreme obsession with public image and appearances .

The movie’s dystopian flavor is delivered through the juxtaposition on two levels. Firstly, in the movies opening scene. The contrast between the flashy stage decorations and carefully stage-managed optimistic comments and the brutal reality that children are randomly selected to participate and must kill other children to win the game is likely to be considered deeply disturbing to normal viewers.

Secondly, the contrast between scenes in the Capitol depicting immense wealth, luxury, and comfort , and scenes of District 12 depicting abject poverty, hardship, and a backward way of life .

Sound: Prim’s piercing scream of terror. She has nightmares about being randomly selected to participate in the Hunger Games.

The director uses a close up to depict Katniss and Prim’s intimate, sisterly love for each other. Katniss being the older sister takes it upon herself to comfort and protect Willow. This scene contextualizes Katniss’ brave sacrifice when she volunteers to be a tribute in place of her little sister on Reaping Day.

Katniss goes beyond District 12 to hunt for food. Driven by physical hunger, lack of money, and scarcity of food, she is forced to put herself at risk by transgressing the boundary set out by the authorities. This scene, featuring dangerous electrified barbed wire and an ominous sign, is a visual metaphor for how Katniss’ character develops to become a symbol of rebellion , fighting for justice against brutal oppression from the Capitol.

The use of professional lights, large screens, and a dedicated set-up crew reinforce the idea of social theatre in the world of Panem. It echoes the idea of scrutiny and the need to keep up appearances, to look obedient.

“Oh my god, is this real?”

The state of poverty is evident through Katniss’ interaction with this humble bread roll . When Gale produces this, she immediately sits up in surprise. Before breaking it into half to share with Gale, she inhales the smell as if to savor this precious commodity. This highlights how much District 12 is deprived of food. Moreover, that Gale traded a squirrel for the food clues viewers in to the economy of District 12. It flourishes on the underground, black market bartering system away from the official purview of the Capitol.

The use of colors emphasizes the difference between those in District 12 and those from the Capitol, separating the poor from the rich. The predominant color associated with District 12 are dull, muted, faded colors as seen in the costumes. On the other hand, Effie Trinket (a representative from the Capitol) wears bright, happy pink. The different colors correspond to the different attitudes to the Hunger Games too. While Effie celebrates the Games wholeheartedly, the other children from District 12 have grim facial expressions.

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Home — Essay Samples — Entertainment — The Hunger Games — The Hunger Games Theme: Social Injustice and Survival

The Hunger Games Theme: Social Injustice and Survival

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Published: Sep 7, 2023

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Table of contents

Social injustice and inequality, the brutality of entertainment, survival and resilience, rebellion and revolution, the consequences of power and control, conclusion: a thought-provoking reflection of society.

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The Hunger Games (2012 Film) Essay Questions

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What does Katniss' three finger hand gesture mean?

Katniss is in a fight to the death with other participants of the Hunger Games. So when Rue dies and Katniss puts flowers on her, this is no small gesture. When Katniss holds up three fingers to the cameras for all districts to see, her sign is impactful. The reason is that the symbol is one of respect and love for the one who has died. It represents unity as Katniss is displaying the reality that Rue's life mattered and will be honored. She wasn't just some random victim of violence in Katniss' pursuit of victory in the Games. Katniss is rebelling agains President Snow and the Hunger Games by doing what is right and honoring Rue's life, making it have great meaning to all the districts.

How does Katniss get into the Hunger Games?

Initially Primrose, Katniss' younger sister, is chosen to participate in the Hunger Games which chooses two participants from each district between the ages of 12-18. But Katniss voluntarily takes the place of her sister as she cannot allow her younger sibling to be subject to death which will be imminent if the little girl is sent into a combat zone of violence. Thus, Katniss goes into the Game by her own will and not by that of some random selection. And her choosing this is vital to her becoming the face of the rebellion.

Why does the Hunger Games event exist, and what does it represent?

The Hunger Games exists in this story as a means for President Snow to remind all of the districts which he rules of the rebellion that was once brought against him and the aristocracies of the world. Every year the Hunger Games is a reminder of Snow's victory over the rebellion and it is a public gesture of Snow's false mercy, as though he is sparing the lives of the rebellious districts by only having two lives potentially sacrificed from each.

It also serves to turn the districts against one another as each district will certainly root for their own to come home, and to do so they must murder members from other districts. This represents a strategy of disunity that Snow has implemented in order to weaken the potential for rebellion as none of the districts will easily unite against him when they are focused on defeating one another.

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The Hunger Games (2012 Film) Questions and Answers

The Question and Answer section for The Hunger Games (2012 Film) is a great resource to ask questions, find answers, and discuss the novel.

What film making devices are employed to suggest that life is rough in District 12?

The movie starts by showing us two men, wearing lavish and expensive clothes, discussing the importance of hunger games. Later on, we see capital personnel, Effie Trinket, who has come to announce the tributes and again we see her dressed in...

How is Peeta characterized? How do you know?

Peeta Mellark is the male tribute chosen to represent District 12 in the Hunger Games, and Katniss's closest companion during the event. The son of a baker, Peeta belongs to the merchant class of the district. Peeta is an extremely kind boy, and...

How long do the tributes have to wait on the metal circles in the arena?

They must wait sixty seconds before they are released.

Study Guide for The Hunger Games (2012 Film)

The Hunger Games (2012 Film) study guide contains a biography of director Gary Ross, literature essays, quiz questions, major themes, characters, and a full summary and analysis.

• About The Hunger Games (2012 Film)
• The Hunger Games (2012 Film) Summary
• Character List
• Director's Influence

Essays for The Hunger Games (2012 Film)

The Hunger Games (2012 Film) essays are academic essays for citation. These papers were written primarily by students and provide critical analysis of The Hunger Games (2012 Film), directed by Gary Ross.

• Media, Trauma, and Survival: Psychological Strategies in the Hunger Games
• Applying Hallie and Hobbes to “The Hunger Games": Philosophical Analysis

Wikipedia Entries for The Hunger Games (2012 Film)

• Introduction

Screen Rant

The ballad of songbirds & snakes 2 quietly just became more likely after $337 million success.

The odds of The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes 2 happening just quietly became more likely based on a Hunger Games franchise update.

• Lionsgate plans to continue expanding the Hunger Games franchise following the success of The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes.
• A sequel to The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes has not been officially confirmed, but fan demand may influence future movies.
• Lionsgate may pursue The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes 2 as the easiest way to continue the franchise, pending Suzanne Collins' involvement.

Updates on the future of the Hunger Games franchise have come following The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes , and it suddenly looks like a sequel could be in the cards after all. 2023 brought the first Hunger Games prequel movie to theaters, adapting Suzanne Collins' novel about a young Coriolanus Snow and his District 12 mentee/love interest Lucy Gray Baird. It was expected that The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes could be the start of a new trilogy or, at the very least, open doors for other Hunger Games movies to be made assuming it was successful.

The lack of updates on The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes ' sequel has been noticeable, especially with non-committal statements from those involved about whether they will return for another movie. There has been a constant narrative that Lionsgate and longtime franchise director Francis Lawrence will not make more movies without Suzanne Collins' blessing or using new books as the source material. Since there are no new Hunger Games books confirmed, that seemingly limited the future of the movie franchise, even after The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes ' box office made $337 million worldwide.

The Hunger Games: The Ballad Of Songbirds & Snakes Ending Explained

Lionsgate has plans for more hunger games movies after songbirds & snakes, the studio teased its desire to expand the franchise.

The status of the Hunger Games movie franchise received a big boost during Lionsgate's presentation at CinemaCon 2024. The studio boasted about its successful lineup of 2023 releases, particularly when it came to continuing and expanding known franchises. The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes was used as an example of the type of successful sequels/prequels the studio wants to continue to make. Along with John Wick , Lionsgate positioned Hunger Games as a franchise it has plans to expand . This comes as the prequel movie was the franchise's lowest-grossing entry but also still profitable thanks to a smaller budget.

No details came from Lionsgate's presentation about how exactly the Hunger Games franchise will continue. This means that The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes 2 is not officially in development , nor is Hunger Games 5 with Jennifer Lawrence or some other prequel, sequel, or spinoff idea. However, Lionsgate's desires are quite clear, especially based on the fan demand for more movies based in this world and to learn if Lucy Gray died in The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes ' ending . The biggest question this leaves the franchise is how Lionsgate will find a way to make more Hunger Games movies.

The Ballad Of Songbirds & Snakes 2 Is The Easiest Way To Continue Hunger Games

Another prequel can build on songbirds & snakes' success.

Lionsgate's desire for more Hunger Games movies and noting The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes as a success are both points in favor of the studio making The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes 2 . The lack of a sequel novel by Suzanne Collins is the biggest stumbling block for the sequel at this point. However, the movie sequel could still happen as long as the Hunger Games author helps craft the screenplay. It would allow the franchise to naturally build on the storylines and characters introduced in Songbirds & Snakes while saving Jennifer Lawrence's return for another day.

Doing The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes 2 is also easier for Lionsgate than trying to figure out an entirely new path for the franchise to take. Audiences responded favorably to Snow's prequel story, and it would be fascinating to see him continue down his villainous path. The sequel would also be able to bring Lucy Gray back or confirm her death, and some source material for the 11th Hunger Games does exist already. Plus, if The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes was a success, Lionsgate overlooking a chance to continue the story would not make sense.

The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes

Suzanne Collins: Inequality and Meritocracy in “The Hunger Games” Essay

Introduction, works cited.

The hunger games was a book written by Suzanne Collins and has been acknowledged and criticized. The play is based on the period when North America government was reduced to Panem country. The disintegration resulted to twelve districts which were controlled by Capitol.

The hunger games were held in Capitol annually. Two tributes from both genders were drawn from the twelve districts and engaged in a fight to death. The essay will focus in answering questions that arise in an attempt to review the book. Themes of poverty, social inequality and love are well featured in the book. Further, the essay will relate some of occurrences to the situation in United States.

Theme of inequality runs throughout the book. Capitol controls twelve districts and influences their lives. Katniss lives in a place nicknamed Seam because it harbors poor coal miners. The twelve districts must comply by selecting two tributes to participate in the game. Once a tribute is chosen he or she must go to Capitol. Career tributes come from the rich families and are favored. Career tributes are trained intensively since they come from rich families.

Career tributes compete with other tributes from poor families who are not trained. The uncompromised fight to death shows inequality between the authority and subjects. Capitol manipulates wasps and wolves mutants as a way of frustrating tributes from poor families. The change of rules during game shows how Capitol can influence the outcome (Collins 79).

Panem is a meritocratic system where success is based on ability and performance. The career tributes yearn for the hunger games since they will be rewarded for their skills. The intense training depicts the importance of reward to the tributes. Katniss and Peeta tell Haymitch to be dedicated in his work so as to ensure they get rewards and sponsorship at the end of the game.

Further, tributes are dedicated in killing each other so as to emerge as winners. After Peeta and Katniss are declared winners they are overjoyed because of the rewards. Further, when Peeta and Katniss return home, their people are happy and they pose for cameras (Collins 154).

Media influences the social structure of Panem to a great extent. As a result, the citizens are more cohesive and learn to appreciate each other. Before the games begin all tributes are interviewed by a television host. The society gets to know how prepared their tributes are for the hunger games.

Peeta gets to inform the rest of the society including Katniss of his true feelings for her. After Peeta and Katniss return home victorious media aspect is involved (Collins 165). The two victors pose for cameras as they unite with their people. Tributes get to know each other better via media. Further, the society is in touch with the preparedness of their tributes via media.

Media influence in social aspect is similar to the situation in United States. Media plays a crucial role in promoting social cohesion among the citizens of the United States. For example, during the political campaigns the rivals get to know each other’s strategies via media. The supporters gauge the success chances of their political representative via media.

The cohesion in the society is promoted as people are united by media. People from different sides are featured equally thus enhancing social equality. The social relation between politicians and their supporters is enhanced by media. Political parties accept defeat and success of the rival due to trust and reliability that is associated with media in United States.

According to Allan Johnson, social structure is prone to many forces. Many factors are considered in establishment of social structure. Social structure varies with the change in attitude, norms and beliefs. Path of least resistance is interpreted as the common expectations by a specific social structure. Path of least resistance is associated with acceptance while the opposite leads to rejection and punishment.

In Panem, path of least resistance is well laid by the Capitol. All districts present two tributes from both sexes during the hunger games as spelt by the government.

Katniss volunteers in place of her sister to ensure that her family do not defy with the set orders. Haymitch trains Katniss skillfully so as to ensure that she will be successful by doing what is required. For example, the tactic of running from her rivals increases her chances of being victorious (Collins 179). Katniss teams up with Rue since she knows that they are more likely to win by forming a bond.

There is one instance when Katniss and Peeta fail to follow the path of low resistance. When the second announcement during the game demands that they should kill each other, they opt to commit suicide. Peeta and Katniss attempt to eat the poisonous berries and defy the orders of Capitol. Despite their disobedience, they are both proclaimed winners. However, Haymitch advices Katniss to tell the authority that she was in love with Peeta and could not be able to kill him so as to show that she was not being disobedient (Collins 180).

The hunger Games is a book that highlights significant issues in sociology arena. Social structure is one of the aspects featured in the book. Gender equity is well pronounced when the districts are supposed to produce tributes from both genders (Collins 212). Further, all districts take part in the games which shows social cohesion.

Power distance model involving the relationship between the authority and subjects is well featured. The social activities involved in the livelihood of the people of Panem promote cultural knowledge and acceptance. The book highlights instances of inequity and relates them with negative effects. Equity is associated with positive impacts to the society. The book discourages inequity and advocates for social cohesion.

The hunger games take place in a place that is not well known by the tributes. The hardships and the different situations are meant to make tributes adjust and survive all conditions. The hunger games involve participation of all districts which promotes cohesion (Collins 260).

The rich compete with the poor at a place where they are exposed to similar conditions. However, Collins successfully highlights some of the benefits accorded to the rich tributes. The nature of meritocracy ensures that the tributes of high merit are accorded great rewards. The book bridges the gap between the rich and the poor by negating the benefits accorded to rich and boosting the ability of the poor tributes.

Miner’s story on Nacirema attempts to bridge the gaps existing between different cultures. There are cultures that are considered being superior to others. The attempt of Miner is to reduce the intensity of culture disregard and promote acceptance. Miner features Nacirema people who thought that their bodies were vulnerable to diseases and sought for magic to heal them.

Miner talks of the shrine in which every Nacirema was supposed to pray and drink substances given by medicine men. Miner compares the culture of Nacirema with that of Americans. He refers to the shrine as being a bathroom according to Americans. Their belief in magic is associated with cosmetics and makeup used by Americans. The magical drinks are interpreted as medicine given by doctors in America.

The hunger games features Panem society that can be compared with American society. The games could be interpreted as political campaigns where the victorious politician is accorded reward. The participation of all districts in the games can be interpreted as equality exercised when supporters vote (Collins 289).

Consequently, inequality can be associated with the discrimination accorded to people of lower status in America. The book is well suited for youths since entertainment and theme of love is well featured. The protagonist is outstanding especially with her ace of hunting. Romance is the only excuse for not following the path with least resistance.

The Hunger Games is a very entertaining book that has been successful in highlighting aspects of social structure. The book contributes significantly to sociology literature as it identifies issues associated with negative as well as positive impacts in the society. Easy manipulation by Capitol shows influence and power distance involved in governance of Panem society.

Meritocracy system is adopted by the government of Panem. Meritocracy ensures rewards are given to people who deserve them thus ensuring fairness and justice. Further, the issues of a fight to death and the uncompromised participation depict severe control on the citizens. However the mutant wolves and availability of treatment for Peeta should have been more twisted

Collins, Suzanne. The Hunger Games, New York: Scholastic publishers. 2008. Print.

• Chicago (A-D)
• Chicago (N-B)

IvyPanda. (2022, June 11). Suzanne Collins: Inequality and Meritocracy in "The Hunger Games". https://ivypanda.com/essays/the-hunger-games-2/

"Suzanne Collins: Inequality and Meritocracy in "The Hunger Games"." IvyPanda , 11 June 2022, ivypanda.com/essays/the-hunger-games-2/.

IvyPanda . (2022) 'Suzanne Collins: Inequality and Meritocracy in "The Hunger Games"'. 11 June.

IvyPanda . 2022. "Suzanne Collins: Inequality and Meritocracy in "The Hunger Games"." June 11, 2022. https://ivypanda.com/essays/the-hunger-games-2/.

1. IvyPanda . "Suzanne Collins: Inequality and Meritocracy in "The Hunger Games"." June 11, 2022. https://ivypanda.com/essays/the-hunger-games-2/.

Bibliography

IvyPanda . "Suzanne Collins: Inequality and Meritocracy in "The Hunger Games"." June 11, 2022. https://ivypanda.com/essays/the-hunger-games-2/.

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The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes confirms streaming release date

Mark your calendars.

The prequel to The Hunger Games films follows a young Coriolanus Snow in his formative years as he struggles to make a name for himself. It was released in cinemas in November 2023 and earned more than $330 million worldwide, as eager fans flocked to see the highly anticipated film.

Which 2024 legacy sequel are you most looking forward to?

Though it has been available to watch on digital platforms in the UK and US, the first streaming dates have now been confirmed as May 31 on Prime Video in the UK and May 14 in the US on STARZ.

Related: Does The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes have a post-credit scene?

Yes, that's right. In just a few weeks, you'll be able to stream all the violence and mayhem of the '10th Annual Hunger Games'. You'll get a unique glimpse inside the mind of the young man who will grow up to rule over Panem with an iron fist (and a mouthful of blood).

Tom Blyth plays the role of scrappy, young 'Coryo' (as he is affectionately known), and Rachel Zegler stars as the enigmatic and captivating Lucy Gray Baird. Together, the pair revolutionise the Games in a way that echoes through Panem's history for decades to come .

Of course, if you can't wait until then, digital and physical purchases are currently available .

Related: Hunger Games prequel explains a key moment from original series

You can rent or buy the new Hunger Games movie in the UK from Prime Video , iTunes , Microsoft Store and other digital retailers.

If you're in the US, you can currently rent or buy the movie from the likes of Prime Video , iTunes , Vudu and other participating digital retailers.

You can also buy The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes on DVD , Blu-ray and 4K Ultra HD in the UK if you want a physical copy of the movie.

There's also an exclusive 4K Steelbook available to buy from Amazon , Zavvi and other retailers.

The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes is available to buy or rent in the UK f rom Prime Video , iTunes , Microsoft Store and more. It will be available to stream May 31 on Prime Video in the UK and May 14 in the US on STARZ.

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5 sci-fi movies on Netflix you need to watch in April 2024

Posted: April 12, 2024 | Last updated: April 12, 2024

The Hunger Games (2012)

Many actors become international superstars thanks to roles in adaptations based on beloved novels. It happened to Kristen Stewart and Robert Pattinson in Twilight, along with Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, and Rupert Grint in the Harry Potter franchise. In 2012, Jennifer Lawrence began her ascent to Hollywood royalty with her role as Katniss Everdeen in The Hunger Games. Based on Suzanne Collins’s dystopian novels, The Hunger Games  brings audiences into the postapocalyptic world of Panem.

Every year, Panem’s 12 districts select one boy and one girl, called “tributes,” to compete i n the Hunger Games, a televised fight to the death. Katniss Everdeen (Lawrence) is District 12’s tribute after she volunteers to compete in place of her younger sister. Katniss has a legitimate shot to win because of her elite hunting skills and resourcefulness.

With so much bloodshed, does anyone really win? Despite its young adult source material, The Hunger Games does not hold back in showing brutality and ruthlessness within the games. The action and violence elevate The Hunger Games from a young adult story to an all-encompassing film about power, love, and rebellion.

Stream The Hunger Games on Netflix.

Glass (2019)

With most M. Night Shyamalan movies, you can expect supernatural entities and plot twists. Glass is no different, as it follows the Shyamalan formula to a tee. As the final installment in the Unbreakable trilogy, Glass brings together the three most important characters from the previous two installments: Kevin Wendell Crumb (James McAvoy), David Dunn (Bruce Willis), and Elijah Price.

All three superhumans are captured and imprisoned by Dr. Ellie Staple (Sarah Paulson), who plans to prove that the three men are mortals. Yet, three superhumans under one roof will most certainly lead to conflict that culminates in an epic showdown showcasing their gifts. Glass is the weakest entry in the trilogy, however, the payoffs are extremely satisfying, as Shyamalan does an adequate job of tying up every loose end.

Stream Glass on Netflix.

Everything Everywhere All at Once (2022)

Sci-fi genre stories typically do not win the Oscars’ top prize. That’s why Everything Everywhere All at Once (or EEAAO) winning Best Picture is one of the coolest decisions ever made by the Academy. Written and directed by The Daniels, EEAAO centers on Evelyn Quan Wang, a gloomy and disgruntled laundromat owner who is in a lifeless marriage with Waymond (Ke Huy Quan) and a complicated relationship with her daughter, Joy (Stephanie Hsu).

While being audited by the IRS, Evelyn is visited by Alpha Waymond, an alternate version of Waymond from another parallel world. Alpha Waymond needs Evelyn’s help to save the multiverse. Once again, EEAAO winning Best Picture despite having a stoner comedy premise is truly remarkable. The absurdist dramedy tugs at your heartstrings and breathes life into themes of immigration, family, and love.

Stream Everything Everywhere All at Once on Netflix.

Ender’s Game (2013)

The “book is better” crowd will win the Ender’s Game  argument. Orson Scott Card’s book works better than Gavin Hood’s 2013 feature film. Yet, the film adaptation of Ender’s Game still has some redeeming qualities, including striking visuals, action-packed sequences, and impressive special effects.

Set in the future, Earth is attacked by a group of aggressive aliens known as Formics. The invasion failed due to the actions of Mazer Rackham (Ben Kingsley). Fifty years later, humanity is not taking any chances, so the International Military is recruiting gifted boys and girls to train and prepare for the next invasion. One of these boys is the intelligent and passive Ender Wiggin (Asa Butterfield). Because of his expertise in battle strategies, Ender could be the one to save the human race. However, Ender must decide if he will do what’s necessary to protect humanity, even if that means becoming a killer.

Stream Ender’s Game  on Netflix.

Battleship (2012)

Upon its release in 2012, Battleship  was destroyed by critics. The film based on the Hasbro board game tanked at the box office , becoming one of the biggest flops of all time. Battleship (and John Carter) effectively ended Taylor Kitsch’s career as a leading man. Yet upon further examination, Battleship is not a bad movie. Lt. Alex Hopper (Kitsch) is working aboard the USS John Paul Jones when alien spaceships invade Earth near Hawaii. The extraterrestrial creatures are not peaceful, opening fire on neighboring battleships as they attempt to steal Earth’s resources.

The only thing stopping the end of civilization are American and Japanese troops stationed on the few remaining battleships. Again, Battleship is not a great movie, but it does not deserve to be lumped into the “worst films of all time” discussion. The action sequences are solid, and the visuals are impressive. Embrace the escapist nature of Battleship.

Stream Battleship on Netflix.

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