Snow White ★★

Released: 21 March 2025

Director: Marc Webb

Starring: Rachel Zegler, Gal Gadot

Disney’s relentless conveyor belt of live-action remakes has long been met with a mix of indifference, dismay, and, in some cases, outright vitriol—particularly when casting choices dare to stray from their animated aesthetic. The latest in line is Snow White, a remake of the 1937 classic Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. Directed by Marc Webb, the film has faced a turbulent path to release. From debates over Rachel Zegler’s so-called ‘woke’ casting to the unwinnable decision of whether to cast actors with dwarfism. This makes for a retelling that has its bright spots but ultimately finds itself caught in the crossfire of cultural battles—trying to satisfy everyone but instead diluting its charm.

We meet Snow White—her name now attributed to the winter weather of her birth—as the daughter of a benevolent King and Queen. Unlike her animated counterpart, Snow White is destined to one day assume the throne. This soon changes when her mother dies and her father remarries a mysterious woman (Gal Gadot). The King is promptly dispatched on an errand he never returns from and the kingdom begins to wither under the rule of its self-serving new Queen. Snow White grows up to become a lowly maid, largely ignored until the magic mirror declares her the fairest beauty in the land. She flees the huntsman ordered to kill her and deep in the woods, meets seven new friends.

Zegler arguably gives one of the best depictions of a live-action Disney princess. Aided by a wise expansion of Snow White’s purpose, she’s freed from the constraints of a sweet but mostly passive original. Zegler imbues her wide-eyed heroine with a sincerity that feels true to the kind of girl who would happily sing and dance with seven dwarves, treating them with the same kindness and compassion she extends to everyone she meets. Her Snow White radiates warmth and humility, offering a fresh and heartfelt interpretation of a classic character. 

There’s also plenty of enjoyment to be found in the musical arrangement, courtesy of song writing duo Benj Pasek and Justin Paul. From the opening number ‘Waiting on a Wish’ to the playful ‘Princess Problems’, the new tracks blend seamlessly with timeless songs like ‘Whistle While You Work’ and ‘Heigh-Ho’, which are duly given their moment to shine.

So where does it all go wrong? Just about everywhere else. Gadot tries her best as the Evil Queen, yet even with the showy villain number All Is Fair, what could have been a deliciously campy performance (think Susan Sarandon as Queen Narissa in Enchanted) feels flat and uninspired. Snow White is given a love interest in Jonathan (Andrew Burnap), a charming rogue who encourages her to reclaim her throne. Their chemistry is believable, but the film rushes their romance, forcing Snow White into an obligatory swoon so that true love’s kiss can work its magic.

The dwarves, meanwhile, are a major misstep—rendered as unseemly mo-cap creations that you don’t want to look at for too long. This is worsened by the half-hearted introduction of seven righteous bandits as Jonathan’s companions, who aren’t real characters and only add to the film’s identity crisis.

Ultimately, Snow White isn’t a disaster, but it falls far short of its potential. Rachel Zegler is the saving grace worth watching, yet she’s let down by a film that nods to modern sensibilities without the courage to fully embrace them. In the end, Disney isn’t interested in commenting on either side of the cultural debate —it just wants to keep the box office rolling.