Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937) is an iconic film that fans have loved for decades. By contrast, Snow White (2025) is a poorly executed film that fails to connect with audiences. Through Snow White, Disney attempts to modernize the original story by altering the plot to step away from the classic plotline of Snow White being saved by a prince. This disappointing adaptation of the classic fairy tale forces themes of feminism, female “empowerment” and independence, which comes at the cost of a coherent storyline. Rather than making Snow White a powerful heroine, the film portrays her as an entitled brat.
Rachel Zegler and Controversy Surrounding the Film
Controversy has been following the film, largely revolving around Rachel Zegler. Debate surrounding her role of Snow White began in 2021, when it was revealed that Zegler, a Latina actress, would portray Snow White. Critics slammed the casting choice because in the 1937 animated film, the character is named for her skin that is pale ‘as snow’. Zegler was further criticized after her interview with Entertainment Weekly in 2022, where she called the 1937 version “extremely dated when it comes to the ideas of women being in roles of power.” In 2022, she also criticized the animated film to Extra when she mentioned that it had “a big focus on her love story with a guy who literally stalks her. Weird. ” Fans of the animated film criticized Zegler for trashing the film, considering she’s the star of Snow White.
Zegler not only sparked controversy surrounding her casting and negative comments about Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, but also for her public political comments. After Donald Trump won the 2024 election, Zegler wrote on instagram, “May Trump supporters and Trump himself never know peace.” She later apologized for her comments in a desperate attempt at damage control, considering nearly 80 million Americans voted for him and Snow White was set to be released in only a few months. While Zegler’s comments may have impacted the viewership of the movie, Snow White’s plot is capable of turning away fans of the original movie on its own.
Unnecessary Plot and Character Changes
The 2025 film drags out the backstory of Snow White, which is not included in the animated version. Many of the extended details about her childhood and the details of how she was forced to be a servant are not relevant to the rest of the movie. Although the Snow White movie spends more time introducing Snow White, there is little emotional connection to the character and forces the rest of the movie to be rushed.
The ending of the movie does not surround the idea of a “happily-ever-after”, but instead Snow White’s desire to restore the kingdom and become the leader that her people need. Her love interest is not a prince, but Jonathan, a bandit whom she meets when he is stealing potatoes from the Queen. The story completely throws out the idea of love at first sight that is evident in the original film, and instead creates a dynamic of Snow White and Jonathan working together in hopes of defeating the Evil Queen.
Forcing Feminism into the Fairy Tale
Snow White’s personality is drastically different in Snow White. She comes across as bossy, inconsiderate, and self-righteous. She tries to lecture the dwarfs and bandits, but they have no reason to listen to her. This is an attempt to give her a stronger and more confident personality, but ultimately makes her an unlikable protagonist.
Snow White is focused on being an independent woman and isn’t looking for love, which is a main part of the original storyline. In Snow White, she stands by the well singing about becoming the girl she wants to be, completely different from the original plot, where she sings about finding true love. This depiction in the movie foolishly suggests that love and independence are mutually exclusive.
The movie ends with Snow White becoming the new queen, and her love interest, Jonathan, is not a central part of her happily-ever-after, even though they do end up together. The idea that Snow White couldn’t be rescued or have her happily-ever-after with the Prince because she is supposed to be modernized and portrayed as strong and independent is damaging to young girls. The idea that seeking marriage or falling in love doesn’t align with female empowerment and success sets a perverse example for young women.
Several of Snow White’s interactions highlight the forced feminism throughout the movie and are completely illogical. In Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, she arrives at the dwarfs’ cottage, and with the help of the animals of the Enchanted Forest, she cleans the entire house. She does this because she is hoping to hide with them in exchange for cooking and cleaning. In Snow White, she walks into the dwarfs’ home when they are working and just takes a nap in their beds. The following day, she begins bossing them around their own home and making them clean, while she dances and sings and barely helps at all. The film is attempting to fight stereotypes that women should be cooking and cleaning (as Snow White did in the original film), but this just portrays Snow White as entitled because she trespassed and is forcing them to clean, while she does nothing. This actually negatively impacts gender stereotypes, just presenting her as selfish.
Final Insights
The 2025 live-action remake of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937) is a pitifully failed attempt at modernizing the classic film. The dwarfs, crucial characters in both versions of the story, have limited screen time due to unnecessary plotlines and characters. The film provides little incentive to be invested in the characters and the incessant forcing of female empowerment on viewers takes away from the core romantic aspects of the animated film.