The Death of Snow White

Living in a desolate community, a woman learns that she has royal blood when the Queen turns her attention to her to continue looking youthful so she can enact a diabolical plan to rule the kingdom, forcing her into the forest and banding together with a group of dwarves to fight back against her.

Overall, this was a rather enjoyable take on the fairy tale. Among the better aspects of this one tends to incorporate its own unique spin on the typical mythology of the story by changing around a lot of the usual elements of the story. Rather than deal with the usual setup of the story offering the kind of traditional low-rent peasant community that Snow White is involved in while the Queen looks on jealous of everything she has despite her poor state of life is a solid way of going about trying to get back to the throne's power by trying to accumulate her beauty into her own for own gain. It manages to bring about the kind of connection to the original feature, especially once the decision to flee the kingdom and live with the dwarves is put into place, which provides this with some intriguing connections to the fabled story. When matched against the new elements of the story involving the more gruesome attempts at showcasing the brutality inherent in the story and how it would all play out, there's a lot to like here. The general state of the Queen adopting a more vampiric attitude to her beauty by torturing and removing parts of their body so that their body parts can be served to keep her beauty more youthful until her plan comes into focus serves everything rather nicely, especially when it starts moving away from the peasants she's rounded up and onto her inner circle which gives this some solid attempts at body horror. That carries over into the finale, where the different forces come together to deliver on the quest to stop the Queen's plans, leading to some solid action along the way, and with some fine nudity, manage to give this a lot to like. There are some issues here that hold this one down. The main issue here is that it tends to follow more of a dark fantasy route than an overly generic feel, making it appropriate for more adventurous fans, while others may be somewhat more turned off by the atmosphere created here. The idea and concept of the film is built more on the idea of going through their quest littered with perils, magic creatures, and disloyal allegiances that all point to a different genre atmosphere that only becomes far more obvious when it plays out. There's nothing genuinely wrong with it, but it becomes a big part of the film to have to get over as the fairy tale roots it tries to honor are kept in check enough for it to be a factor here as a means of personal preference, despite being the only real issue.

Rated Unrated/R: Graphic Violence, Full Nudity, and Graphic Language.

Jason Brooks's 2025 film, The Death of Snow White, offers a stark and compelling reimagining of the classic fairy tale, anchored by a captivating performance from Sanae Loutsis as the titular character. This is not the saccharine sweetness of childhood stories, but a more mature and psychologically nuanced exploration of beauty, envy, and survival. Loutsis imbues Snow White with a quiet strength and a palpable vulnerability, portraying her not as a passive victim but as a young woman acutely aware of the danger she faces and determined to navigate the treacherous landscape of her stepmother's obsession.

The film's atmosphere is a departure from traditional portrayals, opting for a visually striking palette of muted tones and shadowy forests, creating a sense of unease and foreboding. Brooks's deliberate pacing allows the tension to build gradually, emphasizing the isolation and the ever-present threat looming over Snow White. The reimagining of the seven dwarves as a more grounded community of individuals adds a layer of realism to the narrative, making Snow White's refuge feel less like a whimsical escape and more like a desperate alliance forged in the face of danger. This grounded approach allows Loutsis to showcase the character's resilience and her ability to connect with those who offer her sanctuary.

Chelsea Edmundson delivers a chilling and multifaceted portrayal of the Evil Queen. She avoids caricature, instead delving into the character's insecurities and the corrosive nature of her envy. Edmundson's performance reveals the pain and desperation driving the Queen's obsession with maintaining her beauty and power, making her a more complex and unsettling antagonist. The dynamic between Loutsis and Edmundson is the film's dramatic core, a silent battle of wills fueled by fear and resentment. Their scenes together crackle with tension, highlighting the dangerous power imbalance and Snow White's precarious position.

Ultimately, The Death of Snow White offers a fresh and compelling perspective on a timeless tale, elevated by Sanae Loutsis's nuanced and captivating portrayal of Snow White. Jason Brooks crafts a visually arresting and emotionally resonant film that explores the darker undercurrents of the classic story. While it may deviate from the familiar sweetness, its mature themes, strong performances - particularly from Loutsis - and atmospheric setting make it a thought-provoking and engaging cinematic experience, revealing a new and compelling facet to the enduring legend of Snow White.

The Death of Snow White has the makings of a cult classic, in my opinion. It is wonderfully done and keeps to the spirit of Brothers Grimm. Something I find totally boss! The set design is magnificent, especially when you learn they built thier own castle for the film. Sanae Loutsis is perfect for the role of Snow White, giving off a vibe of gentleness and kindness. It is also really nice to see the Dwarfs being played by Dwarfs. Speaking of the Dwarfs, the character development was phenomenal! They are lovable, funny and yet you don't want to mess with them and the actors who play the dwarves do a great job of bringing them to life and really making each of them stand out in a way that makes them all your favorite.

Snow White has been in the press a lot lately from the Disney remake in live action. This is not to be confused with that movie. You might as it is showing in cineplexes at the same time. This is a movie written by a director with high ambitions. Unfortunately those ambitions were too high and missed the mark. The acting, special effects, and low B-Grade quality often took me out of the film. I could tell at times that you could see they were putting themselves out there and trying. Hence the 3 stars. It is rewarding to the filmmakers that in these moments I was reminded of this. There certainly was the chance for potential here but the tired take of Snow White combined with low production quality couldn't make that possible. I would like to point out that I observed true potential in some actors that paired with a better script and director could really shine. Tristan Nokes and Meredith Binder stood out at times. However, the film's titular lead Sanae Loutsis could not hold the film up. I have not seen other films she has acted in but maybe there is something to see in her elsewhere, perhaps. I would love to elaborate more on this film but the poison from that apple is hitting and I'll be dead soon. For the casual movie goer I'd recommend skipping this one.

In the first 10-15 minutes I thought ok, it's a silly piece of fluff. But as it went on, the acting got better and the story got more layered. Really enjoyed it. Not sure why the reviews are so low. Maybe because it's a horror and people expect more gore. I thought the gore was fun and well done. It's a dark fantasy and achieved all I was looking for.