Review: Mirror, mirror on the wall, live action Snow White and its downfalls

When Walt Disney released Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs in 1937, it was the first not to star Mickey Mouse. Based on the Brothers Grimm fairy tale, it was a massive success that paved the way for a new era of storytelling. In the years that followed, Disney produced more animated classics each with a charm that transcended time.

As someone who is autistic, there were themes in Snow White that connected with my own life. When I experienced depression at ages of 18 and 22, and after losing an uncle I was very close to from Covid, this fairy tale seemed to find me again.

It reminded me that even when life felt scary or sad, there was always a message of good overcoming evil even for those who were lost during that conflict never living to see those who survived it. That emotional resonance is something I value deeply and what I believe continues to popularise the story. 

The new remake also carried a theme of inclusion. For me, autism is a gift, and I hold three things dearly: Paradise, Inclusion and Autism. This film's portrayal of Snow White bringing together new characters - including the reimagined Prince and his allies - reflected that value. It reminded me of how I sometimes wonder whether different groups of my friends would get along. Like Snow White, I want harmony, but I also know I must think carefully before trying to bring people together, because sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn’t.

Another theme I noticed was “righting wrongs”. As an autistic person, I’ve often wanted to undo mistakes from the past. In the remake, Snow White wants to honour her parents, even after they’ve been killed by the Queen. She can’t bring them back, but she finds meaning in reclaiming the kingdom and offering peace. That really touched me. It reflected the desire to heal, to make things right - even if we can’t change the past.

The inaccuracies in the 2025 remake

Recently, Disney has been remaking animated classics into live-action films. While a few offer fresh perspectives, others feel unnecessary or even out of touch. I was both surprised and disappointed by the recent 2025 remake of Snow White. Despite good intentions, it didn’t honour the magic of the original, nor the deeper spirit of the fairytale I was drawn to. To me, accuracy is really important when remaking films and the most recent remake failed to miss the mark.

The casting of Snow White

Rachel Zegler’s casting as Snow White was, in my opinion, a misstep - not because she isn’t talented, but because she didn’t seem to connect with the character in a way that resonated with the legacy of Disney’s Snow White. Vanessa Hudgens, who already has a history with Disney, might have been a better fit. What deepened the controversy was Zegler’s criticism of the original film at a promotional event, where she dismissed the Prince as a “stalker” and questioned the value of the love story. To me, this showed no appreciation for the story she was stepping into.

Removing the Prince's storyline

Interestingly, the Prince's early role in the story was not from the original Brothers Grimm version - it was added by Disney. Yet it became an important part of what gave the 1937 film its warmth and romantic charm. Removing or mocking that element in the remake stripped away a piece of what many viewers cherished. Snow White’s strength never had to come from rejecting love - it came from her compassion, optimism, and bravery. We shouldn’t need to diminish the original tale in order to empower her.

Snow White's parents 

The new remake did add backstory by introducing Snow White’s parents - something the animated film never explored. This addition brings the story closer to the Grimm version, in which Snow White’s birth mother dies and her father remarries. In the remake, the Queen seeks power by killing both parents and taking control of the kingdom. While the film never says this outright, it’s strongly implied. It added a darker tone but made sense within the narrative.

A twist to character arcs

Thankfully, the Seven Dwarfs kept their familiar names and personalities. A new twist showed Dopey learning to speak, which wasn’t necessary, but didn’t ruin the story. Their bond with Snow White was one of the film’s highlights. The casting of Martin Klebba, known from Pirates of the Caribbean, was also a delightful touch.

One of the biggest changes was the Prince’s character. Here, he is not a royal at all, but a Robin Hood-type leader fighting the Queen’s regime. He is captured and rescued by Snow White, reversing their roles from the original. Though he eventually becomes a prince by marrying her, the arc felt unnecessarily complicated. The love story that once defined the narrative was crushed by this plot twist.

The Queen in this version is portrayed as someone who militarises a once-happy kingdom and rules through fear. The people under her control are brainwashed into warriors, but Snow White eventually brings many back through her kindness and compassion. This was an interesting dynamic - even if it leaned too far into a form of storytelling that lost some of the fairy tale’s magical tone.

Growing up, I encountered Snow White in many forms - books, animated movies, and even anime adaptations. In one anime version, which terrified me, the Magic Mirror never once tells the Queen she is the fairest, always declaring Snow White as the fairest from the start. In another story, the Queen had stolen the Mirror from her sorcerer uncle, and when she shatters it in rage, the shards punish her and return to their rightful owner. These tales always show how the Queen’s downfall is tied to her own obsession and inability to see her flaws.

Changes to musical numbers

Another letdown was the treatment of the music. Iconic songs like Someday My Prince Will Come and With a Smile and a Song were replaced or left out. These songs were part of what made the original film magical and emotionally moving. The new songs - Waiting on a Wish and Good Things Grow - lacked the same depth and resonance. While Heigh-Ho and Whistle While You Work remained, the musical atmosphere just didn’t feel right.

The Queen, who was once frightening because of her eerie silence and presence, was now given a villain song. While many Disney villains have great musical numbers, this Queen never had one - and part of her menace came from that quiet intensity. Adding a song for her seemed out of place and dulled the chilling aura she once had.

In the end of the most recent remake, there were moments that resonated with me. But overall, I felt it missed what Snow White was truly meant to be: a story of courage, kindness, and finding light in the darkest places. The new film tried to reinvent the tale, but in doing so, it lost much of its heart.

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