Who is Jonathan in Snow White 2025 and How Does His Character Change the Original Story?
Jonathan represents one of the most significant additions to Disney’s 2025 reimagining of “Snow White,” fundamentally altering the love story and adding layers of complexity to the narrative. As a character with no counterpart in the 1937 animated classic, Jonathan’s introduction reflects Disney’s commitment to modernizing the tale while maintaining its essential fairy tale elements.
When we first meet Jonathan, he’s introduced as “the Rebel Quigg” and the leader of a band of thieves operating in the forest. His initial characterization is that of a cynical survivor who prioritizes self-preservation above all else. His philosophy is succinctly captured in his song “Princess Problems,” where he dismisses Snow White’s idealism about kindness and fairness as naive. With lines like “I’m sticking to my plan of grabbing all I can” and “your princess problems don’t apply to me,” Jonathan embodies a worldview shaped by the harsh realities of life under the Evil Queen’s rule.
Unlike the original Prince, who appears briefly at the beginning and end of the 1937 film with little character development, Jonathan has a complete arc that parallels Snow White’s own journey. Their first encounter occurs when he’s caught stealing food from the palace. This meeting establishes both conflict and connection—Snow White shows him compassion by attempting to prevent his harsh punishment and later freeing him, while Jonathan remains skeptical of her idealistic worldview but is nonetheless affected by her kindness.
Jonathan’s background as a thief who claims to fight in the name of the king is revealed to be somewhat disingenuous—he uses this noble cause primarily as cover for his survival-focused thievery. However, his repeated interactions with Snow White begin to change him. When the Queen’s guards pursue them in the forest, the audience sees the first signs of his transformation as he returns to help Snow White despite initially leaving her behind.
The development of the relationship between Jonathan and Snow White is far more substantial than the love-at-first-sight narrative of the original film. Their connection builds through shared experiences, philosophical debates, and mutual protection. The song “With You” marks a turning point in their relationship, revealing their growing feelings for each other even as they maintain their different perspectives on the world.
Jonathan’s heroism emerges fully when he takes an arrow meant for Snow White during a confrontation with the Queen’s guards. This selfless act contradicts his previously stated philosophy of looking out only for himself. His willingness to venture to the Southern Kingdom to search for Snow White’s father further demonstrates his evolution from self-serving thief to devoted ally.
When Jonathan is captured by the Queen, his connection to Snow White becomes the perfect bait for her trap. The Queen uses his necklace—which Snow White had given him for luck—to convince her that Jonathan has been captured and needs help. This plot element adds emotional weight to the poisoned apple scene that was absent in the original version.
Perhaps the most significant deviation from the original story comes in the breaking of the sleeping death spell. In the 1937 film, the Prince’s kiss awakens Snow White because it represents true love. In the 2025 version, Jonathan kisses Snow White out of genuine grief, not expecting her to awaken. This suggests that the authenticity of his emotion—rather than some magical property of being a “true love’s kiss”—is what breaks the spell. This nuance adds depth to the romance and subverts the sometimes criticized passivity of the original awakening scene.
Jonathan’s final role in the story is as Snow White’s ally in confronting the Queen. He helps organize the thieves and works alongside the dwarfs to protect Snow White during the final confrontation. Unlike the original Prince, who simply carries Snow White away to his castle at the end, Jonathan supports Snow White’s ascension to her rightful position as queen while maintaining his own identity.
Thematically, Jonathan represents the transformative power of connection and compassion. His character arc from cynical survivor to devoted ally illustrates how Snow White’s values can change even the most hardened hearts. Their relationship serves as a microcosm of the larger societal transformation that occurs when the kingdom returns to principles of fairness and kindness.
From a narrative perspective, Jonathan’s character allows the film to explore themes of class division, survival ethics, and the impact of oppressive rule that were absent from the more straightforward good-versus-evil framework of the original. His initial perspective provides a realistic counterpoint to Snow White’s idealism, making her eventual triumph more meaningful because it acknowledges the real suffering that occurred under the Queen’s rule.
Jonathan’s character also modernizes the romance element of the story. Rather than being defined solely by her relationship with a prince, Snow White in the 2025 version is primarily defined by her journey to leadership. Jonathan serves as a partner and ally in this journey rather than as her savior or primary motivation. This reframing allows the film to maintain a romantic element while avoiding the potentially problematic aspects of the original’s damsel-in-distress narrative.
By introducing Jonathan as a complex character with his own arc, Disney’s 2025 “Snow White” creates a more balanced narrative that honors the fairy tale tradition while addressing modern audience expectations for character development and relationship dynamics. His transformation from thief to hero mirrors the kingdom’s own journey from oppression to justice, reinforcing the film’s central message about the power of compassion and genuine connection to change both individuals and societies.
