Review: Snow White (2025) is a confused reimagining that should have stayed in the vault

Disney has once again dipped into its treasure trove of animated classics to craft a live-action remake, but this time, the results are more bewildering than enchanting. Snow White (2025) is a film that seems unsure of its own identity, trying to straddle nostalgia and modern reinvention while failing to commit to either. Instead of delivering a fresh and compelling take on the beloved fairy tale, it finds itself tangled in controversy, inconsistent messaging, and an execution that feels hollow rather than magical.

A Vision Without Clarity

One of the most glaring problems with this remake is its inability to decide what kind of film it wants to be. At times, it leans towards a politically charged retelling, emphasizing themes of fairness and equality. Snow White (played by Rachel Zegler) is no longer just a princess awaiting her prince; she is now a would-be revolutionary, yearning to restore a kingdom where “the bounty of the land belongs to all who tend it.” While there’s nothing wrong with updating outdated narratives, the film doesn’t fully embrace this change, instead swinging awkwardly between traditional fairy tale elements and a half-hearted attempt at a socio-political statement. The result is a movie that feels thematically inconsistent, neither the charming fantasy of the original nor a bold, fully realized reimagining.

A Storm of Controversy

From the moment casting choices were announced, Snow White became a lightning rod for debate. The decision to cast Rachel Zegler, an actress of Colombian heritage, as a character traditionally described as having "skin as white as snow" led to an outpouring of criticism from some quarters, while others hailed the move as a step towards inclusivity. But the controversy didn’t end there. The portrayal of the Seven Dwarfs became another hot-button issue. Rather than hiring actors with dwarfism, Disney opted for a mix of CGI and standard-sized performers, creating a group that barely resembles the iconic characters of the 1937 film. This decision led to accusations of hypocrisy, how can a movie preach fairness and representation while sidelining the very group it should have uplifted?

Packaging Without Substance

Visually, Snow White (2025) is undeniably polished. Lavish costumes, stunning CGI landscapes, and carefully crafted set designs ensure that every frame looks expensive. However, this visual spectacle cannot mask the film’s underlying emptiness. For all its grandeur, it lacks the warmth and soul that made the original so beloved. The vibrant colors and fairy-tale aesthetics clash with the darker, grittier elements, leaving the movie feeling as though it was cobbled together from two entirely different concepts.

One of Disney’s greatest strengths has always been its music, but here, the songs feel more like an obligation than an integral part of the story. The film tries to blend classic tunes from the 1937 animation with new compositions by Pasek and Paul. However, rather than complementing one another, the two styles seem at odds. The newer songs, though occasionally catchy, feel misplaced and generic, while the older ones are shoehorned in without any real justification. A good musical should have songs that naturally flow from the narrative, but here, they feel more like interruptions rather than emotional peaks.

A Cast Lost in the Chaos

Rachel Zegler brings sincerity to her performance, but she is burdened with a script that doesn’t seem to know what to do with her character. At times, she is a fierce leader determined to reclaim her kingdom; at others, she is a whimsical dreamer reminiscent of the original Snow White. The inconsistency in her character development makes it difficult for audiences to truly connect with her journey.

Gal Gadot as the Evil Queen is another misstep. While she certainly possesses the regal beauty required for the role, her portrayal lacks the venom and menace that made the animated version so iconic. Instead of an intimidating and cunning villain, her performance feels surface-level, missing the depth and gravitas needed to make the character truly compelling.

And then there’s the Prince or rather, the lack of one. In this version, the classic Prince Charming has been transformed into a bandit, further diluting the traditional fairy tale structure. This change might have worked had the character been given depth and purpose, but instead, he feels like an afterthought, contributing little to the story.

If there is one element that truly encapsulates the film’s confused approach, it is the treatment of the Seven Dwarfs. Once integral to the heart of the original, they are now reduced to near-irrelevance.

The Verdict

The film attempts to champion themes of justice, equality, and self-empowerment, but these ideas are undermined by its own production choices. It preaches fairness while making questionable casting decisions behind the scenes. It introduces a politically conscious Snow White but refuses to fully commit to her radical transformation. It acknowledges outdated tropes but doesn’t replace them with anything meaningful. In the end, it becomes a movie that wants to be everything to everyone, but ends up being nothing to anyone.

Snow White (2025) is a textbook example of a remake that should never have been made. While the original remains a timeless masterpiece, this live-action adaptation stumbles in nearly every aspect.

2/5 stars