The Hunger Games: Mockingjay - Part 1

Katniss Everdeen has survived the Quarter Quell and ends up in District 13, a hidden hub coordinating the rebellion against the Capitol. The girl who sparked a broader resistance has become the movement’s symbol, and bearing that role weighs on her decisions. Propaganda battles and political scheming test loyalties as she tries to protect her sister and friends from retaliation. In a stark bunker bound world of drills and surveillance, Katniss forms wary alliances, trains new recruits, and weighs the personal costs of leading a revolt. As Panem edges toward full scale war, she learns that surviving the fight means facing hard choices about trust and where her beliefs fit into the plan. The tone stays tense yet intimate, and the film leans into the emotional toll of leadership, a setup that rewards viewers with familiar dynamics while moving toward the finale.

Directed by Francis Lawrence, this installment adapts Suzanne Collins's Mockingjay from the Hunger Games series with screenplay by Danny Strong and Peter Craig, delivering darker political tension alongside the franchise's signature action.

The film grossed about 755 million worldwide, with strong domestic and international performance, confirming the franchise's global appeal and setting the stage for the final installment's climactic conclusion. It opened to robust box office reception and drew a wide audience curious about how the rebellion would unfold.

Iconic imagery around Katniss and the Mockingjay banner reinforced the idea that resistance can be fueled by media and symbol rather than sheer force. The film sparked discussions about propaganda, agency, and the costs of rebellion in popular culture. The merchandising and costume choices, especially the mockingjay emblem, became recognizable symbols outside the films.

Critics acknowledged a deliberate pace that leans into politics and character weight, while keeping the emotional core intact. The film grapples with leadership under pressure, the ethics of manipulation, and the line between hero and pawn as war approaches. Some critics noted the shift toward political storytelling while praising the emotional nuance of Katniss and the cast.