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Disney’s 2025 live-action adaptation of “Snow White” has ignited a spectrum of reactions, blending nostalgia with modern reinterpretations. Directed by Marc Webb, the film stars Rachel Zegler as Snow White and Gal Gadot as the Evil Queen. It endeavors to reimagine the 1937 classic for contemporary audiences.
While it introduces innovative elements and showcases commendable performances, the movie has encountered both critical acclaim and notable controversies.
Visually, the film is a feast for the eyes. The production design immerses viewers in a richly detailed fairy tale world, with elaborate sets and vibrant costumes that pay homage to the original while adding fresh nuances. Zegler delivers a compelling performance as Snow White, capturing the character’s innocence and resilience. Her vocal talents shine in the musical numbers, breathing new life into classic songs. Gadot’s portrayal of the Evil Queen adds depth to the antagonist, presenting a nuanced villain driven by vanity and insecurity.
The screenplay attempts to modernize Snow White’s character, moving her away from the traditional role of a passive damsel in distress awaiting rescue. In this version, Snow White is reimagined as a young woman with dreams of leadership, personal agency and social change. Rather than focusing on finding “true love,” she aspires to be a just and wise ruler, concerned with the well-being of her people. This shift reflects Disney’s recent trend of updating their princess characters to align with 21st-century values – emphasizing empowerment, independence and resilience.
This progressive angle is intended to resonate with today’s younger audiences, particularly those growing up in a world more aware of gender equality and personal growth. The effort to make Snow White a role model for modern girls is made through portraying her as more than just a figure of beauty and kindness. Although this is deeply appreciated, some updates feel somewhat forced, as though they were included to meet social expectations and make a profit rather than to serve the narrative organically.
The musical component of the film also reflects this updated vision. Alongside classic numbers, “Snow White” introduces new original songs that attempt to inject a contemporary energy into the timeless tale. The new pieces are lyrically more introspective, often focusing on themes of identity, ambition and self-empowerment – paralleling Snow White’s redefined journey. While some may find these additions uplifting and emotionally resonant, others may find them lacking the melodic charm and iconic simplicity of the original score. On some occasions, the new songs interrupt the nostalgic tone of the film, creating a tonal imbalance that distances it from the 1937 classic.
The divergence between the 1937 and 2025 versions of “Snow White” is most apparent in the plot itself. The original film, Disney’s very first full-length animated feature, was a relatively straightforward retelling of the Brothers Grimm story: Snow White, envied by her vain stepmother, takes refuge with seven dwarfs, is poisoned by the Queen and is ultimately revived by a prince’s kiss. It is a tale of innocence, danger and salvation told with musical charm, visual wonder and emotional clarity that “at the time” revolutionized animation.
The 2025 version retains the basic narrative spine but revises many of its core details. Most notably, the character of Prince Florian with his “true love’s kiss” as a saving force has been changed to a Robin Hood sort of thief whose name is Jonathan. In this retelling, Snow White is not waiting for a prince to rescue her; instead, she plays an active role in overcoming the Queen’s schemes. The romantic subplot is de-emphasized in favor of personal growth and moral strength. Even the dwarfs have been reimagined, reflecting a sensitivity to modern conversations about inclusivity and representation.
At the end of the day, I actually think “Snow White” is a decent movie. It surprised me with how thoughtfully it reimagined the classic tale while keeping its core message about inner strength and kindness. Zegler, beyond having an absolutely breathtaking voice that gives me goosebumps every time I listen to her, brings a fresh, sincere energy to Snow White. Gadot is both elegant and menacing as the Evil Queen.
The visuals are stunning, as well as the costumes. Most importantly, the few songs from the original version that they preserve are still good and made me reminisce about my childhood. I appreciated how the film honored tradition while still speaking to today’s audiences. It’s a bold retelling that works better than expected.
