Disney's Snow White Remake: Unexpected Parallels To A Cult Classic Horror Film

Luna Greco

5 min read

Post on May 14, 2025

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The Poisoned Apple: A Shared Symbol of Deadly Allure

The poisoned apple is arguably the most iconic symbol in the Snow White story, representing temptation, deception, and ultimately, death. In Disney's remake, the apple retains this potent symbolism, visually striking and imbued with a sense of foreboding. Similarly, in The Babadook, the titular monster uses a symbolic object – the Babadook book itself – to lure its victim into a world of fear and despair.

• Visual Presentation: In both films, the poisoned apple and the Babadook book are visually arresting, almost hypnotically attractive, highlighting their seductive power. The rich, dark red of the apple contrasts sharply with Snow White's pale complexion, mirroring the stark contrast between the alluring danger and the vulnerable protagonist. The book's unsettling illustrations similarly draw the eye, despite their menacing nature.
• Motivations Behind the Offering: The Evil Queen offers the poisoned apple out of jealousy and a desire for ultimate power, a selfish act of pure malice. The Babadook, on the other hand, preys on Amelia's grief and vulnerability, using the book to exploit her emotional turmoil. Both instances highlight how powerful figures exploit weakness to achieve their goals.
• Psychological Impact: The apple's effect on Snow White is immediate and profound, leading to a state of vulnerability and unconsciousness. The Babadook similarly affects Amelia, triggering hallucinations, nightmares, and a descent into psychological torment. Both instances demonstrate the manipulative power of external forces on the protagonist's psyche.

The Evil Queen's Malevolence: Echoes of Iconic Horror Villains

The Evil Queen in Disney's remake is far from the cartoonish villain of the original animation. She's presented as a complex, chilling figure whose malice borders on the supernatural, echoing the insidious nature of The Babadook's titular monster.

• Visual Design and Horror Tropes: The Evil Queen's striking appearance – her sharp features, intense gaze, and commanding presence – aligns with classic horror villains. Her dark clothing and regal bearing invoke a sense of unsettling authority. This is reminiscent of the Babadook's imposing form and unsettling visual design that exploits psychological fears.
• Psychological Complexity: Both the Evil Queen and the Babadook are driven by a potent mix of anger, frustration, and a desire for control, adding psychological depth to their villainy. The Queen's obsession with beauty and power, mirroring the Babadook's exploitation of Amelia's weaknesses, creates compelling, if unsettling, antagonists.
• Magic and Special Effects: The Evil Queen's use of magic enhances the unsettling atmosphere, creating a sense of dread and unpredictability. This parallels The Babadook's use of unsettling visual effects and sound design to create a terrifying ambiance.

Visual Style and Atmosphere: A Departure from Traditional Fairytales

Disney's Snow White remake departs significantly from the bright, whimsical aesthetic of previous fairytale adaptations. The film incorporates darker colors, shadowy lighting, and unsettling imagery, creating a visual language closer to the psychological horror genre exemplified by The Babadook.

• Color Palettes and Lighting: The remake utilizes a more muted color palette, often relying on dark blues, greens, and grays to create a sense of unease. This stands in stark contrast to the vibrant colors of the classic animation. The Babadook similarly uses dark and muted colors to establish a disturbing atmosphere.
• Shadows and Darkness: The use of shadows and darkness to create suspense and highlight moments of tension is a common horror trope, and it’s effectively employed in the Snow White remake. This mirrors the strategic use of shadows and darkness in The Babadook to build tension and amplify the feeling of dread.
• Unsettling Imagery and Motifs: Both films utilize unsettling imagery and motifs to create a disturbing atmosphere. The imagery associated with the Evil Queen and the poisoned apple in the remake echoes the visual impact of the Babadook and its manifestation of Amelia’s grief and trauma.

Themes of Isolation and Vulnerability: Exploring Shared Narratives

Both Snow White and The Babadook explore the themes of isolation and vulnerability. Snow White's journey is marked by periods of isolation and dependence, while Amelia in The Babadook is grappling with grief and a deep sense of loneliness that is exploited by the monstrous entity.

• Protagonist's Emotional Journey: Snow White's emotional arc mirrors the protagonist's journey in The Babadook. Both characters experience a profound sense of isolation and vulnerability, facing threats that exploit their emotional weaknesses.
• Supporting Characters: The supporting characters in both narratives play a crucial role in either isolating or supporting the protagonists. The dwarfs offer Snow White protection but also inadvertently contribute to her isolation at times. Similarly, The Babadook's supporting characters either aid or hinder Amelia's coping mechanisms and fight against the threatening entity.
• Setting and Isolation: The setting in both narratives adds to the feeling of vulnerability and isolation. Snow White's initial experience in the forest highlights her detachment and subsequent reliance on the dwarfs. The setting in The Babadook similarly contributes to a feeling of confinement and inescapable dread.

Conclusion

Disney's Snow White remake, while a fairytale at its core, shares striking thematic and stylistic parallels with the psychological horror film, The Babadook. From the symbolic weight of the poisoned apple to the unsettling portrayal of the Evil Queen and the film’s darker visual language, unexpected connections emerge. These similarities highlight the power of storytelling to explore themes of vulnerability, isolation, and the manipulation of fear across different genres. Have you noticed similar parallels in Disney's Snow White remake? Share your thoughts on the unexpected links between this fairytale and the cult classic horror genre in the comments below! Discuss your own interpretations of Disney's Snow White Remake and its surprising cinematic influences.