Release in België: 19/03/2025

Director: Marc Webb
Screenwriter: Erin Cressida Wilson
Cast: Victoria Alsina (Little girl ‘Lily’), Lorena Andrea (Good Queen), George Appleby (Quigg), Samuel Baxter (Scythe), Felipe Bejarano (Guard Paul), Jaih Betote (Norwich), Tituss Burgess (Bashful [voice]), Andrew Burnap (Jonathan), Colin Michael Carmichael (Farno), Chike Chan (Guard Arthur), Emilia Faucher (Young Snow White), Andrew Barth Feldman (Dopey/Narrator [voice]), Hadley Fraser (Good King), Gal Gadot (Evil Queen), Dujonna Gift (Maple), Andy Grotelueschen (Sleepy [voice]), Jimmy Johnston (Finch), Joshmaine Joseph (Guard William), Ansu Kabia (Huntsman), Idriss Kargbo (Bingley), Martin Klebba (Grumpy [voice]), Jason Kravits (Sneezy [voice]), Simeon Oakes (Guard Matthew), Patrick Page (Magic Mirror [voice]), George Salazar (Happy [voice]), Jeremy Swift (Doc [voice]), Olivia Verrall (Baby Snow White), Rachel Zegler (Snow White)
Duration: 109 minutes
Release in Belgium: 19/03/2025

Despite the major controversy surrounding the choice of lead actress and the portrayal of the dwarfs, Snow White delivers the best live-action performance ever made. This is partly due to the excellent choices of production designer Kave Quinn, who makes the beautiful world feel grand. But mainly due to the wonderful performance of Rachel Zegler as Snow White.
Personally, I prefer to go to the cinema without any prior knowledge. I find it more interesting because I want to be able to absorb a film and feel what I feel from what the film gives me. However, because of the enormous controversy, this was unfortunately not possible this time. As a big Disney fan, I know almost all the classics by heart. Which can sometimes put me at a disadvantage when watching a live-action remake. The artistry in the original animated films, the animators, the editors, etc., have my greatest admiration. Yet I was very curious to see how this newest Disney remake of the original story would be presented in 2025.

As art historians know, fairy tales and stories constantly change through history. The Brothers Grimm’s tale from 1812 was adapted by Walt Disney to the worldview of 1937. It should therefore not surprise us that those adaptations no longer match society in 2025. Still, the message that goodness, compassion, understanding and gratitude are stronger weapons against injustice remains, just like in the original.

People may say what they want, but the choice for Rachel Zegler was a bull’s-eye. Her calm yet powerful acting and her exceptional singing abilities bring an old princess character back to life in a way we have not yet seen in previous Disney live-action films. The fact that she does not have snow-white skin and jet-black hair is perfectly resolved by the film explaining that her name comes from the harsh winter storm she was born in. This is important, good, and well adapted to our global world.

The Story

Snow White is born during a harsh snowstorm as the daughter of a king and queen who rule a peaceful kingdom. A kingdom filled with love and generosity, where everything belongs to those who work for it. “Where the good things grow.” Throughout her childhood, Snow White receives these values from her parents, learning that she must give back to her people. At the wishing well, the king and queen wished that Snow White would grow into someone fearless, sincere, brave, and authentic once she would take over. All of this is expressed in a memorable song: “Where the Good Things Grow.”

When her mother becomes very ill and dies, her father is enchanted by a beautiful woman from a distant land. But beneath her beauty, she is not who she pretends to be. The only things that matter to her are her own beauty and absolute power. When she has earned enough trust from the people, she creates the perception that the kingdom is in great danger. The king leaves with the army to protect the land, but never returns. This allows her to seize power, and the kingdom falls under fear. Former farmers become soldiers loyal only to her. All the wealth of the land she claims for herself. (The danger of absolute power, oppression of populations, and the silencing of dissent are themes that in 2025 remain disturbingly recognizable.)

Snow White is locked in the castle and forced to work as a maid, often returning to the wishing well to remember her parents. As long as the Magic Mirror confirmed that Snow White’s beauty did not surpass hers, she remained safe. Years passed. The people forgot they even had a princess.

Snow White meets Jonathan (a modern Robin Hood), a thief who has broken into the castle to take food to those struggling outside its walls. When Snow White mentions the princess, she receives mockery: “She won’t help anyone” and “Tell her to stop thinking about her people and actually do something.”
This encounter makes Snow White reflect. In her naïveté, she tries to make the queen see reason. The queen learns of this and decides Jonathan must be punished. Jonathan is the leader of the bandits in the kingdom.

After this, Snow White sings “Waiting on a Wish,” asking herself who she truly is and what she stands for. (It reminded me of “Reflection” from Mulan (1998).)
Snow White decides to help Jonathan, and he tells her she is brave for going against the queen. This confirms her choice.

This self-awareness and courageous decision lead the Magic Mirror to declare that there is a maid who possesses inner beauty greater than the queen’s outer beauty. (A message still vitally relevant today, with children confronted constantly with beauty standards via social media.)

What follows is the familiar fairy-tale storyline, with the addition that the Huntsman tells her the queen lied about her father.

The film then captures the classic magic: the animal companions, the enchanted forest, the encounter with the dwarfs.
In this version, Snow White is not welcomed for her household skills, but encourages the dwarfs to learn the importance of communication, shared work, and joy, values from her father.

Whistling is used to give Dopey (who does not speak, out of fear of rejection) a voice. Whistling is the voice of the heart.

Her curiosity about her father leads her to seek the bandits and learn the truth. A song follows, referencing old Disney princess musical traditions, rekindling hope in Jonathan and the people.

They grow close and decide to search for the king. But Jonathan is captured and imprisoned along with the Huntsman.
Meanwhile, the Evil Queen puts Snow White into a deep sleep and admits the king is dead.

Jonathan refuses to give up hope. He and the Huntsman escape.
The animals guide Jonathan to Snow White’s vigil, where the true love’s kiss is given.
A snowflake falls , a sign to unite and rise against the queen.

Snow White rallies the kingdom by reminding them of who they once were. Even the soldiers lay down their weapons. Snow White shows mercy, banishing the queen instead of killing her.
The queen destroys the mirror in anger and becomes trapped inside it.
The kingdom is restored to peace and good governance, through peaceful resistance.

Conclusion

Through her nuanced and powerful performance and her beautiful voice, Rachel Zegler gives Snow White a new dimension as a heroine who does not need traditional weapons but still knows how to use her voice.

The deepening of Snow White and Jonathan as characters allows the film to offer meaningful messages to young audiences in 2025. Snow White becomes a heroine defined by self-reflection, choice, and action, not by obedience or domesticity. Jonathan is not a prince, but a man of the people, committed to helping others. Their relationship grows through shared values, not instant attraction. Consent is respected, and love is mutual, an important message today.

The dramatic use of bright colors and shadow is perfect. The animals are heartwarming, the nostalgia and magic of the original film are alive. The costumes and set design are stunning. The songs, both old and new, honor the legacy of the classic.

The only missed opportunity is the depiction of the dwarfs as mostly CGI rather than portrayed by actors with dwarfism. This choice feels less authentic.

We adults may say what we want, but we must remember this film is made for children in 2025. Watching my 9-year-old, I saw the magic work. She understood the messages. If a film can warm the hearts of children, that already means something.

Rating: 9

Text: Esmeralda Wolf