Can you believe it’s already been almost nine years since Mockingjay Part 2 came out?! I remember being so thrilled to see this in theatres on… what feels like yesterday! Today, we’re taking a moment to remember all of our favorite moments from the last film of this series as a way to celebrate its ninth anniversary. Follow along while we discuss the most traumatic moments from the film that still have us hyperventilating and rocking back and forth in the fetal position on the floor.
Katniss and Peeta Moments
Obviously, there are a lot of heart-wrenching moments from the characters in this particular film, but we have to get the relationship out of the way first.
Real or Not Real?
Can we talk about how sad it is that Peeta has to ask Katniss what’s “real or not real?” Because of the torture and brainwashing Peeta had to endure at The Capitol, he no longer knows if Katniss is 100% trustworthy and safe to be around, which is, you know, just absolutely heartbreaking. Near the end of the film, we get Peeta and Katniss lying in bed together for comfort and companionship, and Peeta, our poor, beloved Peeta, says to Katniss: “You love me. Real or not real?” And, of course, Katniss replies, “real.” From all that the couple endured together, it’s so sad to see that he has to ask her that after everything that’s happened.
A Heartwrenching Goodbye
Let’s also not forget how Peeta and Katniss cling to each other before Gale and Katniss head out into the heart of The Capitol. I just know it was so hard for Peeta to let her go out there and for Katniss to leave him for what she may have thought was the last time. And also, the last thing he says to her before she leaves?? I’m dead.
If I see you again, it’s gonna be a different world.
He was preparing to lose her, but he knew it was going to be okay in the end, and she knew she had to leave him behind to make the ultimate kill for the betterment of humankind. This always tugs at my heartstrings!
Loss and Empathy
One last thing about Peeta and Katniss. The fact that he brings her Primrose after her sister dies. *sobbing* We always knew he was the better guy. Gale sends the bombs off to kill Prim even after promising Katniss to protect her family, but Peeta brings the flowers to mourn her. Peeta has been and always will be a green flag. I think we know who the better man is in this series.
Prim’s Death
Okay, let’s get into it. When I first saw this film, I was NOT okay. How could they kill off sweet little Prim? (We’re looking at you, Suzanne Collins.) She had barely gotten to become a person. It breaks me when I think she will never live to see a world without President Snow as she deserved.
But also the absolute TRAUMA Katniss went through, not only witnessing her death but losing the only thing she was ever initially living and fighting for. I will never be able to get out of my head the scene where Katniss comes home and starts crying and throwing things at Prim’s cat, screaming, “She’s gone.” Yet the cat stays anyway, and Katniss just holds him, and they finally learn to tolerate each other. It’s so heartbreaking and sweet all at the same time. I love it. This movie makes you FEEL. No, I’m sorry, this whole series makes you FEEL.
Finnick’s Death
Just to be clear, we’re never getting over this. Ever. We’re still crying and screaming over it. Finnick died one hell of a death. Every time I watch this film, I absolutely dread this scene with the mutts coming after Katniss and all of her gang because I know what’s coming. But it’s also terrifying. The jumpscare with that first mutt gets me. Every. Damn. Time. And I hate how they made it look like Finnick had a good chance of survival when fighting these mutts, but then he gets totally outnumbered by them all, and dies one of the most painful deaths a person could think of.
His screams will forever live rent-free in my head. The way he calls out Katniss’ name?! He was begging for death, and I hated watching Katniss quietly activate the self-destruct feature of the Holo. It’s spine-chilling. That kind of thing doesn’t leave your head. Suzanne Collins and Lionsgate both knew what they were doing.
A Taste of Happiness Before Tragedy
Let’s also remember Annie and the beautiful baby Finnick left behind. When I watch the movies now, knowing what comes, I cry during their wedding scene. Their vows are so beautiful, and they both look so in love and innocent and deserving of every happiness. Neither one of them deserved what was coming. Also, Annie has gone through some shit herself. I can’t imagine what she had to go through before Finnick, but her learning of his death and how he died, with the knowledge of how truly terrible and cruel The Capitol is, I feel so sorry for her. She was left to raise their beautiful son on her own, but she handled it with such grace and love for her child. Annie does not get enough recognition.
Suzanne Collins, we realize you’re working on Haymitch right now, but you need to make us a novel solely about Annie’s past, present, and future.
Well, that’s all we have for now, but we hope you enjoyed being overly and dramatically upset with us about these characters and their trauma! We will never get over this series, and neither should you. Make sure to follow Suzanne Collins on Instagram and keep up with updates on her latest book, Sunrise On The Reaping, about Haymitch and the games he had to go through before becoming a mentor to Katniss! (I just pre-ordered mine, and so should you.)
To view these books and other Dystopian legacies, make sure to check out our bookshelf, Dystopian Worlds, Technology, and the Universe in Science Fiction, here!
For more exciting articles on The Hunger Games, check out this one here by our very own Brea Lawton, where she writes about the book vs. movie adaptation!
