The Hunger Games: Decoding the Ending of Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes

The Hunger Games franchise has consistently delivered powerful endings, but how does Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes compare in this regard?

Welcome, welcome, to the 10th Annual Hunger Games. Or rather, to the latest Hunger Games prequel film, The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes.

The prequel storyline revolves around 18-year-old Coriolanus Snow, who is the last hope for his fading lineage before he becomes the tyrannical president of Panem. As the 10th annual Hunger Games draw near, Snow is assigned to mentor Lucy Gray Baird from District 12, which alarms him. Together, they use their skills in showmanship and political savvy to race against time and expose who is trustworthy and who is deceitful. Now that you're familiar with the plot, let's delve into how the story concludes and how Snow transforms into the character we know from the original trilogy. However, before we do that, please be aware that there are spoilers ahead for Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes.

The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes ending explained

Differing from the majority of the other Hunger Games narratives, the climax of this prequel film takes a unique approach. Unlike the typical conclusion of the Games, which is usually regarded as the finale of the story, it actually serves as merely the midpoint of the movie.

After the conclusion of the Games, Snow, who had cheated to save Lucy Gray, is assigned the role of a Peacekeeper as a form of punishment. To be closer to Lucy Gray, who is now a Victor residing in District 12, Snow voluntarily chooses to work in that district. As Snow enters District 12, he discovers that his best friend, Sejanus, is also stationed there. However, Sejanus is not content with the role of a Peacekeeper and secretly collaborates with the rebels in District 12. Unfortunately, their actions lead to the shooting of the Mayor's daughter and her boyfriend by Snow and another resident of District 12. This grim turn of events puts all involved individuals at risk of facing execution by the Capitol. For Snow, this poses a major predicament since he is desperate to return to the Capitol where his family, including Tigris, resides.

The District 12 citizen, along with other insurgents, including Sejanus, is caught despite their efforts to hide the evidential weapons. Interestingly, Snow uncovered their plans by recording a conversation between them using a Jabberjay. The recording revealed Sejanus' rebellious intentions to Dr. Gaul, also known as the Head Gamemaker in the Capitol. As a result, Sejanus is executed by hanging, and Snow chooses not to intervene.

Meanwhile, Lucy Gray, who played a part in the death of the Mayor's daughter, is also fearful for her life, as is Snow. Therefore, they make the decision to escape District 12 and live freely in the forest, where they believe the Capitol won't find them. This choice is made despite offers for Snow to climb the ranks among the Peacekeepers and potentially return home, as suggested by his superior officer.

The trajectory of the couple's escape takes an unexpected turn when Snow discovers the very weapons that led to the demise of the Mayor's daughter. He becomes aware that by disposing of these weapons, he can regain his freedom and make his way back to the Capitol. The only remaining loose end, however, is Lucy Gray herself. She also becomes aware of Snow's hidden acts of harm, notably involving Sejanus, and as a result, doubt begins to infiltrate their trust in each other.

Lucy Gray manages to sneak away and cleverly tricks Snow into being bitten by a snake. As he angrily shouts and shoots bullets into the trees, Lucy Gray deceives him further by enticing birds to mimic her songs, concealing her true whereabouts. Consequently, the pinnacle scene of this film transforms into a fierce confrontation between a songbird and a snake, each convinced that it will be the victor. However, the outcome remains uncertain.

Is Lucy Gray dead?

According to the movie, it doesn’t seem like Snow managed to kill her successfully. Lucy Gray is gone for good, however, and Snow never sees her again.

Snow successfully shoots Lucy Gray, causing her to fall to the ground. However, he is unable to locate her body, leading to the belief that she has managed to escape and live according to their shared plan. Similar to the Lucy Gray in the Wordsworth poem that serves as her namesake, her ultimate destiny remains unknown.

In the book, it is revealed that Snow proceeds to erase any memory of Lucy Gray's existence and eliminate all traces of her participation in the Games. Nevertheless, it is later discovered that Katniss Everdeen resurrects her songs over six decades later.

Snow returns to the Capitol as expected by Dr. Gaul. Impressed by his immoral behavior, she asks him yet again what he believes the purpose of the Hunger Games is. Previous to the 10th Games, she had posed this question to him. He confidently replies that the Games serve to mirror real life by showcasing the existence of Victors, one of whom he believes himself to be.

Unaware of their son's involvement in his own demise, Sejanus' parents unknowingly provide Snow with funds to further his education, subsequently restoring the Snow family's influence and power. Snow informs Casca Highbottom, his Academy Dean, of this development. In turn, Highbottom discloses that it was actually Snow's father who originally conceived the concept of the Games, despite Highbottom himself drunkenly thinking of it. This revelation explains Highbottom's longstanding animosity towards Snow.

Snow's aversion towards Highbottom drives him to exploit Highbottom's morphling addiction, ultimately leading to his demise. This devious tactic becomes emblematic of Snow's strategies. Dressed in his menacing red coat, Snow strides through the streets of the Capitol, projecting an aura of maliciousness. He encounters a Capitol statue, positioned in a manner reminiscent of a Victor, and offers a sinister smile. Thus, the movie concludes, mirroring the conclusion of the book. This leaves a significant time gap between this movie and the original trilogy, prompting inquiries regarding various characters. Nevertheless, it is evident that Snow is on the brink of assuming the role of a ruthless President, his future looming over us like falling snow.

To check if there is any additional footage after the credits, refer to this link for a post-credits scene.

The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes is currently showing in theaters. Explore our other Hunger Games coverage provided below:

Editor's P/S

As an enthusiastic fan of The Hunger Games franchise, I was eagerly anticipating the release of Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes. The film did not disappoint, delivering a thrilling and emotionally charged conclusion to the prequel storyline. The ending, in particular, left me with a range of emotions and thoughts.

One aspect of the ending that I found particularly striking was the transformation of Coriolanus Snow from an ambitious but compassionate young man into the tyrannical president we know from the original trilogy. The film does an excellent job of portraying Snow's gradual descent into darkness, as he is forced to make difficult choices and navigate the cutthroat world of Panem. The scene where Snow chooses not to intervene as his best friend, Sejanus, is executed was particularly powerful, as it highlights the extent to which he has become hardened by his experiences.

Another aspect of the ending that I appreciated was the way it left the ultimate fate of Lucy Gray and Snow ambiguous. While it is clear that the two characters have a deep connection, their relationship is ultimately tested by the events of the film. The final scene, in which Lucy Gray tricks Snow and escapes into the forest, leaves us wondering whether they will ever be reunited or if their paths will diverge forever. This ambiguity adds a sense of poignancy to the ending and leaves room for interpretation by the audience.

Overall, I believe that the ending of Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes was a fitting conclusion to the prequel storyline. It provided a satisfying resolution to the character arcs of Snow and Lucy Gray while also leaving enough unanswered questions to keep fans speculating about what might happen next. I am excited to see how the franchise continues to evolve and explore the rich and complex world of Panem.