Based on Suzanne Collins’ highly popular book series of the same name, “The Hunger Games” is a fine introduction to the cruel world of Panem. An Olympic-like competition where adolescent children fight to the death to become a lone victor, the “Hunger Games” is brutal and full of twists. Alliances are formed, betrayals come hand in hand, and love blossoms. Directed by Gary Ross, the first film adapts the first novel of Collins’ series brilliantly and introduces us to Jennifer Lawrence’s beloved Katniss Everdeen.
Let us delve into the details of the film that started it all.
The Hunger Games (2012) Plot Summary & Movie Synopsis
The nation of Panem is ruled by the Capitol, which is a ruthless monument of autocracy. The usual troubles of an autocracy plague the good people of Capitol too. It leads to the rebellion of the working class. But fortunately for the Capitol, the rebellion was not successful. The iron fist of the Capitol stays in firm control. As penance for the audacity of thinking they deserve better, the people of Panem were introduced to “The Hunger Games.”
The 12 districts of Panem must send two children, one boy, and one girl, to the Capitol for a survival game. These children, known as ‘Tributes,’ would then participate in a last-person-standing knock-out tournament. How do you ensure you are the last person in the game? You do that by killing other opponents. The game’s environment itself is treacherous and filled with unknown dangers. The head Gamemakers ensure that people are entertained because the tournament is televised.
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Among the twelve districts, the first two districts, District 1 and 2, have the most champions in this annually held survive-till-the-end games. The tributes from these districts are trained to do so, whereas the lower-ranked districts often have children forced to participate in this. One such boy is Peeta Mellark (Josh Hutcherson) from District 12. His name was picked by a lucky draw (which might as well be called the unlucky draw). When the same draw picks Primrose Everdeen as the girl champion, Primrose’s elder sister, Katniss (Jennifer Lawrence), volunteers herself.
The good news for both Katniss and Peeta is that they have Haymitch (Woody Harrelson) as their mentor. Haymitch, being the only living winner from District 12, guides Peeta and Katniss in the right direction. Haymitch mentions that Peeta and Katniss would need sponsors, as the in-game gifts from sponsors often prove to be life-saving.
To get sponsors, they need to grab the attention. Katniss does that by shooting an arrow right at the bureaucrats’ buffet table. And Peeta does that by confessing to be in love with Katniss. This garners support and attention as the couple has to consider killing each other to get out of the game alive. This angers Katniss because she thought Peeta just lied about this to score brownie points.
The Hunger Games (2012) Movie Ending Explained
Did Peeta Betray Katniss?
After Peeta’s confession of having a crush on her, Katniss slowly realizes that Peeta might not have lied about it. The dreaded day of the Games comes, and 24 contestants start the tournament. The combined gang of District 1 and 2 soon makes it clear that they are killing machines. Marvel, Glimmer, Cato, and Clove; these four Tributes from the top two districts kill half of the competition immediately after starting the tournament and getting the weapons. These four, together known as the Careers, hunt the remaining contestants down. One by One.
Katniss, who evaded the Careers in the beginning, is forced to encounter them as the Gamemaker Seneca Crane throws a forest fire toward her. The Careers have her cornered, and she has to take refuge in a tree. As none of the Careers are good climbers, she seems to be temporarily safe. But, to her utter surprise, Peeta comes out and tells the Careers that they can wait her out, as she would have to come down eventually.
It seems that Peeta has already aligned himself with the Careers. But, it would soon become clear that Peeta never actually went against Katniss. Katniss, with some help from District 11’s female tribute, Rue, throws a wasp nest down at the Careers. Making three of them injured and one dead. But in the process, Katniss was stung as well. These genetically engineered wasps’ stings also cause hallucinations. Katniss, in her state, would have met the three other Careers if not for Peeta. He shakes her out of the reverie and sends her toward safety, away from the Careers.
Did Katniss Trigger a Rebellion?
This wasp attack helps Katniss ally with young Rue, who looks up to Katniss anyway. But this alliance tragically ends as the Careers get hold of Rue. In a fight with Katniss, Rue gets killed while one more member of the Careers also gets shot by Katniss. Katniss pays tribute to Rue as she adorns her dead body and sends a solidarity signal to Rue’s district, District 11. This incites a riot in District 11 as the people start to attack the police force of the Capitol. Katniss eventually unites with Peeta because the Gamemaker makes a slight rule change to allow two victors as long as they are from the same districts.
After a few more fights and some help from sponsors, it eventually comes down to Katniss, Peeta, and Cato, the last remaining Career. Katniss and Peeta manage to save themselves and, in the process, kill Cato. At that moment, the Gamemaker reverts the joint victor rule, hoping to make Katniss and Peeta fight each other. But Peeta asks Katniss to shoot him and take the victory herself. Katniss, however, has a better idea. She tells Peeta that if both of them die, then the Games will have no winner, and the authorities will not have it.
So, they will go back to making both of them winners again. This gambit pays off as Katniss and Peeta try to commit double suicide by eating poisonous nightlock berries. The Gamemaker stops them and announces them as the winners. However, Katniss’ move makes a lot of enemies for her in the Capitol. The multiple rebellious actions from Katniss would prove to be the seeds for upcoming events where we could expect Katniss in the cross-hair of the Capitol again.
Why are the Hunger Games Necessary?
One of the key components of any autocracy is entertainment. It is a great distraction for the subjects that stops them from questioning. As President Snow (Donald Sutherland) so succinctly highlighted, the Games have been there to give the people a small glimmer of hope. Only a small glimmer for the lone victor. That hope should pale in comparison to the fear that the Games should instill in the people. The fear of being fallen and dead, like the 23 other contestants who do not win.
Is Seneca Crane Alive?
The Capitol’s leader, President Snow, has previously warned Seneca Crane about not allowing the contestants to generate more than a small glimmer of hope. Katniss already caused an uprising in District 11. Then Crane allows her to defy the authorities and get two winners in the history of the Hunger Games. President Snow presents Seneca Crane with the same option of night lock berries as he watches both Katniss and Peeta being greeted back in District 12.
Read More: How to Watch ‘Hunger Games’ Movies in Order?
Trailer:
The Hunger Games (2012) Movie Links: IMDb, Rotten Tomatoes, Wikipedia, Letterboxd
Cast: Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson, Liam Hemsworth, Woody Harrelson, Elizabeth Banks, Lenny Kravitz, Stanley Tucci, Donald Sutherland
The Hunger Games (2012) Movie Genre: Sci-fi/Action, Runtime: 2h 22m
