Disney continues its trend of live-action remakes, reimagining classic animated films with fresh narratives. In Marc Webb’s Snow White (2025), the iconic battle between Snow White and the Evil Queen unfolds with deeper themes of resistance, justice, and empowerment. This version goes beyond the traditional fairy tale, offering a layered and politically charged story.
Snow White’s Tragic Fate: The Poisoned Apple
After losing both her parents, Snow White (Rachel Zegler) finds herself banished from her kingdom by her wicked stepmother, the Evil Queen (Gal Gadot). The Queen hoards wealth and rules with an iron fist, fearing that Snow White, whom the magic mirror deems the fairest, might threaten her power.
As in the classic tale, the Queen orders a Huntsman to eliminate Snow White. However, he spares her, allowing her to find refuge with the seven dwarfs. Here, she learns about a growing resistance movement against the Queen’s tyranny. Determined not to endanger her newfound friends, she sets out to find the rebels, including Jonathan, a new character replacing the traditional prince.
However, the Queen, disguised as an old woman, tricks Snow White into eating a poisoned apple. With a single bite, Snow White falls into a deep slumber, just as the Queen reveals her most sinister act: she was the one who murdered Snow White’s father.
Jonathan’s Rescue: A Kiss of Rebellion
Jonathan, once imprisoned by the Queen, teams up with the Huntsman to escape the palace dungeons. Learning of Snow White’s fate, he rushes to the dwarfs’ cottage, where she lies in her enchanted sleep. In a moment of love and desperation, Jonathan’s kiss awakens Snow White, echoing the original fairy tale but with a greater purpose.
Together, they lead a rebellion, uniting the dwarfs and the oppressed citizens to overthrow the Queen. Snow White steps into her father’s vision of a compassionate and just ruler, determined to restore balance to the kingdom.
Defeating the Evil Queen: A Poetic Justice
The final battle sees Snow White confronting the Queen at the royal palace. Through a powerful musical number, she inspires the people to reject tyranny. The Queen, in a last-ditch effort, orders her soldiers to seize Snow White, but the heroine humanizes them, reminding them of their families and the suffering they’ve endured. Moved by her words, they turn against the Queen.
Furious, the Queen tries to stab Snow White, but Jonathan’s allies disarm her. Desperate, the Queen smashes her magic mirror, demanding to know why Snow White is the “fairest.” The mirror reveals that true fairness is about justice, kindness, and leadership, not beauty. In a chilling twist, the Queen is sucked into the mirror, transformed into a lifeless black figure, a reflection of her own darkness. With her downfall, the kingdom is finally free.
A New Beginning: Snow White’s Happily Ever After
Instead of a rushed royal romance, this version gives Snow White and Jonathan’s love depth and purpose. Their marriage isn’t just about love, it symbolizes a new era of hope, equality, and leadership. The film closes with a heartwarming scene narrated by Dopey, the once-silent dwarf who found his voice through Snow White’s kindness.
Snow White (2025) modernizes the classic fairy tale, making its heroine a true leader rather than a passive damsel. With themes of rebellion, justice, and empowerment, this retelling adds richness to a beloved story while staying true to its magical roots.
