Disney’s highly anticipated live-action Snow White has found itself at the center of a public firestorm, and the backlash is louder than the seven dwarves. With dismal box office returns and the lowest IMDb score in Disney’s live-action history, many fans are placing the blame squarely on Gal Gadot’s sparkly, yet soulless, performance as the Evil Queen. But that’s only half the story.

The Israeli actress, who has long been embroiled in controversy over her outspoken political views, is now trending on social media for all the wrong reasons. From accusations of “genocide cheerleading” to fans calling for her Hollywood cancellation, the chatter is as toxic as the poisoned apple.

Let’s break down how Snow White went from a classic fairytale to a real-life disaster.

The Box Office Crash Heard ‘Round the Kingdom

When Snow White hit theaters on March 21, 2025, Disney was hoping for a dazzling debut. Instead, the numbers came in like a wilted rose. The film scraped together a meager $43 million domestically and $44 million internationally in its opening weekend. For a project with a production budget rumored to be north of $250 million, this is less “happily ever after” and more Grimm tale.

Critics haven’t been any kinder. With a 41% Rotten Tomatoes score and a jaw-dropping 1.5 IMDb rating, Snow White now holds the unenviable title of Disney’s worst-rated live-action remake. The review section is practically a battleground, with audiences venting frustrations not just about the film’s storytelling, but about Gadot’s allegedly “wooden” performance.

Gal Gadot: The Evil Queen or Hollywood’s Scapegoat?

While co-star Rachel Zegler had her own share of pre-release backlash, thanks to some eyebrow-raising comments about the original film, fans are now redirecting their fury towards Gadot. The actress’s history of supporting Israel’s military actions has become a lightning rod for criticism, with many accusing her of using her platform to endorse what they describe as a “genocide.”

And the hits keep coming. Some users are even claiming that Disney used Rachel Zegler as a convenient scapegoat to divert attention from Gadot’s controversies. One viral tweet declared, “Snow White flopped because Gal Gadot is an Israeli terrorist. Disney wants to blame Rachel Zegler.“

The Acting Critiques: Evil Queen or Evil Performance?

Gal Gadot’s portrayal of the Evil Queen was supposed to be a campy delight, a glamorous villain with a dash of that old-school Disney charm. Instead, viewers are describing her performance as flat, forced, and painfully overacted. One viral tweet compared Gadot’s efforts to a high school theater production, quipping, “Gal Gadot’s acting israelly bad.“

Even within the film’s most dramatic moments, Gadot’s line delivery has been called “emotionless” and “awkward.” Critics argue that her attempt to channel the iconic Queen Grimhilde came off as cosplay-level theatrics rather than a commanding, regal presence.

The Zegler-Gadot Feud: Mirror, Mirror on the Wall, Who’s Pettiest of Them All?

Behind the scenes, whispers of tension between Gal Gadot and Rachel Zegler have only added fuel to the fire. Zegler, who publicly voiced her support for Palestine, reportedly clashed with Gadot during press events. And let’s not forget that viral Instagram comment where Zegler not-so-subtly referred to Gadot as a “professional pageant queen.”

The drama escalated to the point where Disney implemented separate press schedules and even beefed up Gadot’s security at premieres. Apparently, no amount of pixie dust could mask the frosty vibes between the two actresses.

A Cursed Crown: Can Gadot Recover From This?

For Gal Gadot, the fallout from Snow White might be the harshest yet. While she once basked in the glow of her Wonder Woman success, the current public sentiment is far from super. As hashtags like #BoycottGalGadot trend across platforms, her reputation as a marketable leading lady is undoubtedly taking a hit.

But Hollywood is nothing if not forgiving. If Gadot can step away from the controversies and deliver a powerhouse performance in a future project, perhaps she can regain favor. Until then, she may want to steer clear of any mirrors, who knows what brutal truths they’ll reveal.

Happily Never After

Disney’s Snow White was supposed to be a nostalgic journey into a beloved classic. Instead, it has become a cautionary tale about the perils of controversy, poor casting decisions, and underestimating the power of social media. Whether Gal Gadot can shake off the backlash or if her reign as a Hollywood darling has officially crumbled remains to be seen.

But one thing’s for sure, in the battle of public perception, she’s definitely not the fairest of them all.