The Hunger Games: The Embers of Rebellion

The Hunger Games: The Embers of Rebellion is a 2025 dystopian action dramedy film directed by Francis Lawrence from a screenplay by Michael Lesslie, Michael Arndt and Suzanne Collins. It serves as a stand-alone sequel to the 2023 movie The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes and is the sixth installment in the Hunger Games film series. Jason Schwartzman and Viola Davis reprise their roles from The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes, while newcomers include Archie Madekwe, Timothee Chalamet, Saoirse Ronan, Nicholas Galitzine, Gugu Mbatha-Raw, Idris Elba, Kenan Thompson, James Cromwell and Russell Crowe.

The movie was released on November 14th, 2025 to mixed-to-positive reviews.

Sypnosis
Set three years after the The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes, a young man named Norman, a resident of District 3, is in the midst of mourning his brother, who died in the 10th games. His worst fears become realised when he’s chosen as a tribute for the 13th Hunger Games. Not wanting to face the same fate as his brother, Norman plans his escape from the Capitol with District 12 tribute, Philip Hawthone, while his best friends back home enact a daring rescue mission, even if it means putting everyone they know and love in danger.

Cast
Director Francis Lawrence has a brief cameo as a shoprunner who assumes Hogan is stealing from him.
 * Archie Madekwe as Norman Gudatis, a District 3 resident mourning his brother Circ who is chosen as a tribute for the 13th Hunger Games.
 * Timothee Chalamet as Hogan Ford, an aspiring musician who dreams of seeing and performing in the other districts.
 * Saiorse Ronan as Juniper Hull, a crafty thief who frequently traverses between the borders of Panem.
 * Nicholas Galitzine as Philip Hawthorne, the male District 12 tribute and a street-wise drifter.
 * Gugu Mbatha-Raw as Anne Gudatis, Norman and Circ's mother.
 * Idris Elba as Gerry Gudatis, Norman and Circ's father.
 * Jason Schwartzman as Lucretius "Lucky" Flickerman, the television host of the 13th Hunger Games
 * Kenan Thompson as Shaun Greenlauw, a fiddle player who is close friends with Philip.
 * James Cromwell as Mayor Argyle, the mayor of District 3.
 * Russell Crowe as Maximinius Ravinstill, the President of Panem.
 * Viola Davis as Dr. Volumnia Gaul, the head gamemaker of the 13th Hunger Games.
 * Malachi Kirby as Circ Gudatis, Norman's late brother who was the male District 3 tribute for the 10th Hunger Games.
 * Tom Blyth as Coriolanus Snow, the future President of Panem. Blyth only appears in the movie's mid-credits scene.

Critical response
On Rotten Tomatoes, the film has an approval rating of 65%. The website's critics consensus reads, "In spite of a generic and rushed plot, The Embers of Rebellion is held up by a unique take on Panem and a spectacular cast.”