It's hard to believe that the Hunger Games film series began with its first film just over a decade ago. In 2012, audiences fell in love with Jennifer Lawrence’s performance as protagonist Katniss Everdeen, following her as she traversed across the dystopian world of Panem and exploring its twisted forms of societal entertainment. Following the book series of the same name, the four films in The Hunger Games franchise present a story of shifting love triangles, death-defying action, and the fight for a brighter future.
With the movies landing back on Netflix this month, let's dive into the world of The Hunger Games and explore how its story captured the hearts of audiences and influenced the dystopian films that followed!
Panem: A World on Fire
The electrifying story of The Hunger Games can be attributed to the author of the young adult book series, Suzanne Collins. From The Hunger Games to Mockingjay, Collins roped in readers of all ages, investing them in the story of Katniss Everdeen and her battle against the corrupt Capitol. While Collins’s vivid descriptions of the surrounding world of Panem spark the readers' imaginations with visuals of the separate, distinct districts that humanity has been placed in, the first film in the series sucks in viewers with rich set design as descriptions are ripped from the page onto the screen. Katniss’s mining town in District 12 is shown as a hollow city, with decrepit wooden buildings housing the anxious possible Pledges ahead of the sinister Reaping ceremony. Throughout the film, Katniss’s journey to the claustrophobic crowds of the Capitol are presented in a shimmering sensory overload as the camera focuses on the dark intentions of the crowds and the popping color of the outfits worn by the higher classes. This is thanks to the film’s directors, Francis Lawrence and Gary Ross, and production designer Philip Messina, who built a memorable setting for the story’s events to take place.
Connecting With Characters
As readers fell in love with the confident Katniss, soft-spoken Peeta Mellark, and countless other now-iconic characters, the story’s transition to the screen provided readers with actors portraying the characters they initially fell in love with. The most notable performance is Jennifer Lawrence’s empowering portrayal of reluctant yet heroic Katniss Everdeen. Lawrence’s performance is iconic for a reason, as audiences view the heartbreaking anxiety of taking a life from the perspective of a teenage girl. As Katniss complies with the rules of the games, Lawrence displays a wide range of emotions that strike at the viewer’s heartstrings.
However dark the situation may be, the audience can always count on romance and comedy to balance the disturbing reality of Panem. This can be found in the characters of lovestruck Peeta Mellark (Josh Hutcherson) and the bumbling mentor, Haymitch Abernathy (Woody Harrelson). Peeta’s shift from a shy citizen of District 12 into Katniss’s love interest is shown seamlessly thanks to Hutcherson’s reserved yet endearing performance. The film’s comedic tones are also provided by Katniss’s disgruntled mentor Haymitch, as Harrelson mumbles and drinks his way through the world of Panem.
Despite these moments of levity, the ultimate antagonist of The Hunger Games sits and watches menacingly from his towering position. This performance of the calculated and disturbing President Snow is provided by the legendary Donald Sutherland. With signature stark-white hair and his looming presence, audiences can understand Katniss’s fear towards the corrupt and bloodthirsty government as it is personified in the role of President Snow. These characters add to the rich world through their towering performances, leaving audiences invested in their stories and eager for the next chapter.
Influence on Other Films
It's no secret that dystopian films are hits at the box office, with each new film offering different insights to a possible future for mankind. Ranging from the neon-lit, brooding underworld of the Blade Runner series to the mind-bending reality of The Matrix, these futuristic adventures present a myriad of possible worlds for audiences to get lost in. The Hunger Games stands out among dystopian films, providing coming-of-age themes to a dark future. This can be seen as Katniss navigates romance throughout her teenage years while also complying with the deadly tradition that could cost her her life. Similar themes from similar YA dystopian novels were also explored in films that were released in the following years. Films such as The Maze Runner (2014) and Divergent (2014) give their dystopian worlds a sense of hope with similar teenage protagonists fighting against a larger, corrupt force. These films also put their own spin on coming-of-age undertones, with The Maze Runner following an entire group of teenagers placed in a mysterious maze, and Divergent centering around a female protagonist determined to find her true purpose in a world that divides people based on their personality. While both of these film series explore their own unique worlds faced with devious, corporate antagonists, it is fair to say that the release of The Hunger Games proved this method of storytelling effective.
Lingering Themes and Possible Future
One of the strongest messages found in The Hunger Games series is the importance of looking to the past when changing the future. The same can also be said of the development of the upcoming prequel to the series, Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes. In order to capture the world of Panem leading up to the establishment of the deadly Hunger Games, it is important to focus on the images and performances that captivated the hearts of fans. From the grim surrounding world to the futuristic and elegant costume design, audiences remember how The Hunger Games were introduced in the first film. These first impressions provided audiences with a world to truly escape to, where alliances constantly shift and rebellion is brewing in the distance. These powerful themes brought to life by show-stopping performances stuck with viewers long after the credits stopped rolling, encouraging the masses to stay tuned for the story’s continuation. The Hunger Games is truly special, marking its place in cinematic history through its influence on dystopian films of the early-2010s and giving audiences a gripping journey to revisit for years to come.