With an IMDB score so low the site reported an “unusual voting activity” warning to users, avalanches of controversies and widespread mockery on social media, “Snow White” (2025) and its rocky start doesn’t seem to be evening out any time soon. This reboot of the beloved and iconic 1937 “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs” came under fire after public relation scandals from the new Snow White actress, Rachel Zegler, CGI dwarfs and questionable acting. I myself grew skeptical of the film after watching Zegler’s snarky comments about the original film in an interview circulating online. Although I was hesitant to watch the film at first, I will say, I enjoyed it a lot more than I expected to.

Zegler is an incredibly talented actress, famous for her exceptional Broadway performance in “Rome + Juliet” and performance in Spielberg’s “West Side Story,” for which she won a Golden Globe. Preceding the release of the new “Snow White” movie, Zegler was in hot water for the way she spoke of the original Snow White film and, consequently, many have blamed her for the film’s astonishingly horrendous reviews and poor performance in the box office. I personally believe that the mass negative reviews are more because of a hate train and that she was truly one of the few saving graces in the actual movie. Her voice is beautiful and though she handled talking about the film very poorly, I don’t believe what she did was nearly enough to garner the reaction and reviews it did.

The “modern twist” present in the new film wasn’t something that I hated, but to me, it turned the movie into a film that isn’t really Snow White. It’s an excellent movie for young kids and I appreciate the empowerment of women who help themselves and others find their voice, but it wasn’t “Snow White” to me. The original is certainly dated and maybe slightly perpetuates the patriarchy, but Snow White being soft, delicate and caring for others, eventually to be saved by the prince from her glass coffin are part of what makes the story so cherished. I see nothing wrong with tweaking elements of the story to make it more empowering, but my idea of Snow White wasn’t really portrayed in the movie for me. 

However, if you go into the movie not expecting Snow White, but a very separate rendition of it, you’ll have a completely different viewing experience. I actually enjoyed the new love story where Snow White falls in love with a bandit, Jonathan, who was played by Andrew Burnap. I thought their banter was cute and their mutual support for and growing understanding of each other throughout the movie was a nice element, especially in the song “Princess Problems.” Many people hated that she wasn’t in love with a prince, which I too feel that it’s a bit strange to omit from what is supposed to be a remake, but the story itself wasn’t bad. 

Another controversy: the dwarfs. The big question was whether or not to use real little people actors or to use CGI. However, once Peter Dinklage declared it would be incredibly offensive to the community, Disney went with the CGI route. This angered many within the little person community, arguing that many would’ve loved the opportunity for representation and career-growth.

Now, I have little I can personally add to this controversy, but what I can say is this: the CGI dwarfs were thoroughly uncanny when they first came on the screen and I doubt that would’ve been the case if real people were cast. Their introduction song “Heigh-Ho” was almost enjoyable, so long as you kept your eyes closed from the terrors on screen. Despite this jarring introduction, I have to say, they grew on me in a Stockholm Syndrome-esque way throughout the movie. Their characters were funny at times and Dopey was freakishly adorable by the end of it. 

If we want to talk about things that did harm the movie, it was Gal Gadot, who played the Evil Queen. Her emotion was one note throughout the film, with the difference between happy and sad being one microexpression. As the Zegler hate train has died down a bit, a new one has risen for Gadot. Is she the worst actress on the planet? No. Should she have been chosen for this role? Definitely not. After expecting for other things to ruin the movie, having it be her carries the same energy as “I’m not mad, just disappointed.” Except, maybe I’m a little bit peeved.

The production of the movie itself also had its roses and thorns. In the scenes with the Enchanted Forest, I loved how lively it was and how bright the colors were. Snow White, in typical Disney princess fashion, is one with the animals, and in the film they frequently help her. The use of CGI was a bit extreme, with their too-human-like expressions ruining the immersion at times and triggering feelings of uncanny valley. Most of the time they were cute, but it definitely crossed the line for me a few times (I’m looking at you, bug-eyed deer).

I was also disappointed by the costumes. Once again, there’s been controversy around Snow White’s dress, which I agree was upsetting. I get putting a modern twist, but genuinely, what purpose does it serve to change her iconic dress? Why does it have sleeves? Besides the change in design, I also felt the quality of it didn’t look great, but perhaps I’m being nitpicky. What was even worse than her dress though, was Jonathan’s outfit. Those pants should be a crime. He looked childish to me rather than rebellious or cool.

This movie was a rollercoaster from before it even began to finish. You do have to go into it with a great degree of open-mindedness, but the hate is blown way out of proportion. I would’ve loved this movie as a younger kid. It spreads meaningful and important messages on selflessness, generosity and unity in the face of injustice, which I believe everyone could use a reminder of, not just children. It wasn’t the greatest, with its fair share of critiques beyond all the scandals surrounding it, but everyone needs to take a deep breath and give it a shot before complaining about it.

I give “Snow White” 2/5 poison apples.