Disney's Snow White is not a bad film, and Rachel Zegler is not a bad person

For the most part, Disney’s live-action remakes have been financially successful for the giant corporation. Personally, I view films like Cinderella (2015) and Beauty and the Beast (2017) as reimagining's rather than remakes. Calling them 'remakes' implies that they were created with the intent to erase the magic of the original films. After finishing a beloved series, film, or book, there’s always a bittersweet feeling of knowing you’ll never experience the magic for the first time again. These live-action reimagining's, I believe, are the closest we’ll ever come to recapturing that impossible thrill. Watching Lily James play Cinderella, wearing an otherworldly sky-blue gown during my teenage years, was a pivotal experience. I got to relive a story I cherished as a child, almost as if for the first time.

Not every live-action reimagining has been successful. Lady and the Tramp (2019) was met with mixed reception. I struggled with the scene-by-scene redoing of what was once considered one of cinema’s most romantic moments. It’s hard to see the spaghetti scene the same way when the modern version features CGI dogs with muppet-like, moving mouths. Worse still was Pinocchio (2022)—completely lifeless and devoid of the original film’s allure. The live-action puppet lacked the heart that, ironically, the animated version conveyed with ease. Despite computer-generated efforts to give him a soul, Pinocchio was neither expressive nor charming. The titular character looked unfinished—his face too shiny, his body too wooden. Even Pinocchio’s transformation into a boy at the end failed to feel believable, while the CGI dwarves in Disney’s Snow White (2025) looked comparatively realistic. Which, of course, brings us to that film.

Unlike others, I was charmed by the trailer. Rachel Zegler had hinted at a 16-bar-cut that had been written into the film, a song so whimsical and vocally freeing that music theatre auditionees would be using it for their BFA auditions for years to come. ‘Waiting on a Wish’, which I heard prior to seeing the film, is a delightful track. Not only is Rachel’s voice mesmerising but the lyrics are pure poetry; they pay homage to the original film’s ‘I’m Wishing’, where Snow White famously sings into the wishing well and delights at the echo. Despite the fairy-tale set up and the whimsical concept of wish making, the vulnerability in the song makes it relatable. Many fans of Rachel hoped that negative preconceptions regarding the Disney Princess film would be remedied once they heard her sing. A few were; Katcy Stephan called Rachel a “shining supernova” after seeing her performance. However, the film currently holds the lowest rating in IMDb history.

The 1-star reviews started pouring in on opening day, almost as if the system had been hijacked. I recall one in particular titled 'Poisoned Apples all Around', in which a commenter insisted Walt Disney must be turning in his grave. The report talked in endless circles regarding the atrocity of the remake though provided no evidence that they'd actually watched the film. Those who took the time to dig deeper, rather than just scoffing at the numbers and moving forward, would notice that most of the reviews came from people who hadn’t even seen the film. Backlash against retellings of beloved classics is nothing new—every live-action remake (even the good ones) faces some resistance—but the sheer volume of negativity this film has received has been head-turning. This didn’t stop me going to see it – as I said, I found the trailer charming. A week and a half after the premiere I watched the film with my mum.

It was by no means the forgettable, cluttered, self-righteous film that reviewers are making it out to be. In spite of Gal Gadot’s wooden performance and her painful singing number and the other unnecessary tracks (‘Princess Problems’ had me tempted to check my phone, which feels blasphemous to do in the cinema), I enjoyed the film. I didn’t hate the dwarves; I was charmed by Dopey and felt myself tearing up at some points. The new take on the prince simply removed concerns people have had over his characterisation for decades. Lastly, I loved Rachel’s performance.

Hatred for Rachel has been rampant. Comments under all of her posts beg for her demise and call for her career to end. Individuals with three times the life experience mock her hairstyling for the film and post comparative gifs to Lord Farquad. People making derogatory comments on her appearance. Many of the comments say “weird! Weird”, quoting an interview she did years ago.

The interview I’m describing has been parodied to the death for the last two-three years. Having watched Tom Hanks pull out a PR booklet supplied by Disney whilst being interviewed by Toy Story 4 in 2019, in which he reads out that he must maintain that Bo Peep has always been a strong woman, I take Rachel’s quote with a pinch of salt. Disney went to extreme and unnecessary lengths to make a lamp accessory a strong character. Goodness knows what kind of behind-the-scenes gymnastics they performed to modernise a princess from the 1930s, famous for her song about housework.

As an introvert who constantly questions how to improve herself, I spend copious amounts of time replaying conversations and things I have done. I always decide that I have made a fool out of myself that everyone arounds me is tolerating me. When I watch this Rachel interview, as well as the brief cut of her saying the film scared her and she revisited it for the first time in seventeen years when preparing for the role, I have to close my eyes. If I was in her shoes, I’d probably make the exact same throwaway comment. If not, I’d probably say something worse.

Speaking as a Disney princess fanatic, Snow White is the only princess film I didn’t revisit as a child. I watched The Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast and Cinderella on repeat as well as their enjoyable direct-to-video sequels. I remember watching Snow White in eighteen parts on a YouTube playlist because I didn’t have the VHS or DVD and, to my memory, it was terrifying. I recall hilarious comments regarding the prince that referred to his stalkerish behaviour; comments that align with what Rachel was saying. I’ve rewatched the film since as an adult and still found certain scenes frightening. Rachel’s remarks didn’t need to be said, though if people had a bit more heart, they’d probably find what she was saying agreeable. Another video depicted her saying she deserved to be paid for every bit of the work she was doing for the film. Why have people regarded her comments, which were nothing more than careless at best, as a sign that she’s ungrateful? I certainly have made an ample amount of comments about pay since my graduation. I’ve worked in toxic environments where not only was I underpaid, but I was encouraged to work over my unpaid lunch break. There is so much anger and frustration that come hand-in-hand with being overworked and underappreciated, and I see no issue in someone fighting that. I wish I’d had the guts to do so when it was happening to me.

I picture Rachel constantly replaying her decisions and the things she has said, relentlessly picking herself apart and swimming in extreme guilt. She has been constantly berated and told she has killed the film, despite her stellar performance and effortless vocals. Every interaction with a fan is followed by a troll quoting one of her uncomfortable interviews, a constant reminder of a throwaway comment that she can’t take back. By her own admission, she never wanted to come across as ungrateful. She didn’t want to hurt anyone, which is terrifying, because that’s the world seems hellbent on doing to her.

Many of us have suffered from a fear of awkward silence, worsened by an impulsiveness that forces us to cut the tension. Sometimes its actions, a lot of the time its words. I replay my own mistakes constantly, mistakes that led to real people being hurt.  I fight with myself in restless, half-conscious dreams, trying to rewrite a memory that’s already been inked into permanence. I can’t imagine how Rachel must be feeling; these emotions must be painfully amplified. Rachel’s unguarded, human moments shouldn’t be a justification for endless hate. Many of us have made careless comments or said things we regret. Why is it that her passion and theatre-kid energy are being vilified while others are given a pass for far worse?

In short: no one has to watch this film. Those who have seen it aren’t obligated to love it, nor are they required to say anything positive (except maybe about 'Waiting On a Wish', because wow). But the level of hatred directed at Rachel is disproportionate and unjustified. She’s a talented performer who doesn’t deserve to be treated as a villain for expressing herself or speaking up for fair treatment. Maybe it’s time we stop tearing people down for being human and making human errors.

Hi everyone! Long time no see. Thank you for reading my poetry.

I decided to write this shortly after seeing the film. The smear campaign-level hatred against Rachel has been so disheartening to see. I emphasise more, I believe, because so much of it comes from one-off, throwaway comments. Those moments where you make a mistake and everyone forgets how hard you work and how kind your intentions are. I can only hope the public perception of her changes.

Take care,

Karisma

xx