Disney's live-action remake of Snow White, featuring Rachel Zegler and Gal Gadot, opened in UK cinemas today, but it's already facing a mixed reception from fans and critics alike. With a hefty production budget of £161 million, the film has attracted controversy and debate over its casting choices and narrative updates to the classic 1937 animated feature.
The film's release has been marred by previous concerns regarding the casting of Zegler as Snow White and tensions among the cast members. Critics have labeled it a 'painfully muddle-headed affair', while others argue that its updates to the traditional story compromise its integrity.
Among these changes, the iconic Prince Charming has been replaced by Jonathan, a commoner, and the classic Seven Dwarfs have been reimagined as an inclusive group dubbed 'magical creatures' of varying genders and heights. Traditionalists have strongly criticized these alterations, claiming they derail the beloved fairy tale's essence.
A survey of early viewers in the UK revealed diverse opinions. Danny, 22, from Ukraine, sculpted his thoughts on the film with a harsh critique, awarding it only 2.5 stars. “I wanted to be proven wrong,” he said, reflecting on casting choices, “but the makeup and the team behind the movie just didn’t do it justice.” Ultimately, he felt the film lacked passion and direction.
Shannon, 28, and Chelsea, 24, shared a similar disappointment, denoting the film a miserable one-star rating. Shannon articulated her frustration, stating, “It was really not fleshed out. The story needed more purpose.” Their critique also highlighted the dwarfs' limited involvement in the plot despite being central characters in the original.
On the other hand, Rachel Bulman, aged 50, viewed the film with a more open mindset, embracing its modern interpretation. She rated it 4.5 stars and suggested, “They tried to maintain Snow White's original image while adding depth, but it didn’t take away from the story.” Ms. Bulman reminded critics that the essence of fairytales lies in their ability to adapt to changing times.
Younger viewers like Mahgor Bakhtiari, 23, found intrigue in the creative liberties taken with the narrative. “Anything from Disney I like. It’s different from the original and I’m looking forward to that.” Yet she faced pushback from her boyfriend Arian Dehghnai, 21, who expressed distress over the CGI representation of dwarfs, considering it detrimental to job opportunities for real actors.
The question of representation gained traction with viewers struggling with the film's direction. Claire Davis, 37, and her friend Kate Shepard, 38, revered the film's portrayal of themes around fairness and morality, giving it four stars in acknowledgement of its moral depth. “It wasn’t centered solely around a love story,” Davis noted. “It teaches children that life has distinctive adventures independent of romantic narratives.”
Consumer concerns expanded into conversations of ethical casting seconded by Karen Gravis, 46, a dedicated Disney fan. Gravis appreciated the film's narrative arcs but echoed skepticism about CGI dwarfs taking roles better suited for actual performers. “They should have just given the jobs to the people that can do it themselves,” she remarked.
Others, like Celeste Jay, 37, were optimistic about the film's departures from tradition, boldly stating, “Now in 2025 a lot more is accepted, so Disney can push the limits a bit more.” Yet she balanced her enthusiasm with thoughts on the cultural significance of a love story within Disney's canon—a sentiment she found lacking in the new rendition.
The poor response to the promotional material only added to the film's uphill battle from the outset. Preliminary box office estimates indicate Snow White is set to open between $45 million to $55 million, a sizable drop from earlier projections that predicted $65 million to $85 million. This unfortunate trajectory resembles the 2019 launch of Disney's live-action adaptation of Dumbo, which grossed nearly $46 million during its opening weekend. In stark contrast, The Little Mermaid secured a whopping $95.5 million, outperforming expectations.
With a weekend take that fell short of expectations, the audience's final verdict remains uncertain. Creative choices about representation in film are a ringing reminder of the delicate line filmmakers tread in remaking beloved stories while attempting to resonate with modern audiences. Presently, Disney faces escalating scrutiny regarding the choice to embrace CGI for characters traditionally portrayed by real actors, igniting an ever-important conversation about authenticity in film and animated portrayals.
In reflection, the combination of nostalgic admiration for the original and the advances toward inclusion directly complement the evolving dynamics of storytelling. Whether or not Snow White withstands this turbulent reception may influence future adaptations and how they tackle age-old narratives in an age striving for representation.
