During the rebellion, Cressida is given the task of shooting propos with Katniss. As such, Cressida follows Katniss around wherever she goes and films her. The videos are then edited and broadcast to the rest of the districts to boost morale and encourage participation in the rebellion.
Cressida Character Profile
- Name: Cressida
- Age: 20s
- Gender: Female
- Place of origin: The Capitol
- Physical appearance: Shaven head that is covered with tattoos of vivid green vines
- Skills: Filming, directing, can operate guns
- Strengths: Highly creative, artistic
- Weaknesses: Not skilled in combat
- Loyalties: Rebel
Personality and Physical Description
Cressida is one of the few Capitol citizens that supports the rebellion. She has a strong sense of justice and is brave enough to risk her life for it. She believes in using her skills for good, even if it means putting herself in danger with the Capitol. Cressida is highly artistic and has a vision for each propo she directs. Through her creativity and talent for films, she is able to show Katniss in an inspirational light to the districts. Katniss admires her fearlessness, as Cressida is not shaken by the destruction of war or the poverty-stricken district areas. She takes extreme pride in her work, much like Katniss’ stylist, Cinna.
She is described in the books as a young woman with a bald head. Her shaven head is covered with vivid green tattoos of vines. In the films, on the other hand, only half her head is shaved, and the vivid green tattoos extend down her neck and arm.
Cressida’s Role in The Second Rebellion
Cressida flees to District 13 to join the rebellion along with her film crew, Castor and Pollux, and her assistant, Messalla. Cressida and her crew accompany Katniss to District 8, where the Capitol unexpectedly bombs a hospital. Here, Cressida manages to capture Katniss and Gale in action. She also records a speech that Katniss makes to inspire the rebels to action. This footage is later broadcast widely as the first propo, which accrues massive success over the next few days with several district citizens rising in arms against the Capitol.
Cressida and her crew continue to film propos, with the most significant one being the one filmed in the remains of District 12. She also films Katniss singing the famous song, “The Hanging Tree“. Later, Cressida attempts to capture Katniss reacting to the white roses that President Snow sends her. However, Katniss is too overwhelmed to shoot anything.
A highly successful propo that Cressida and her crew produce is one of Finnick Odair, who exposes the deepest secrets of President Snow (of how desirable victors were sold for their bodies in the Capitol and how President Snow rose to power by poisoning his competition).
At the recommendation of Fulvia Cardew, Cressida also films a propo that acted as a video memorial, honoring the fallen tributes.
Cressida in The Star Squad
Cressida and her film crew become an essential part of Squad 451 (or the Star Squad) in the Battle of the Capitol. They film Katniss and the others training for the battle and then follow them as they sneak their way into the Capitol. Cressida continues to film and broadcast the actions of Squad 451 until things begin to get dangerous. Leeg 2 is killed, Mitchell is thrown into a deadly pod by Peeta and Boggs loses his legs in an explosion. At this time, Katniss lies to Boggs, telling him that President Coin intended for her to assassinate President Snow. She asks for control of the Holo, and Cressida, for some unknown reason, supports her in her decision.
Katniss and the squad then find shelter in the home of a Capitol resident, where they watch President Snow announce that he believed Katniss and the others to be dead. This gives Katniss enough time to lead the squad through the underground sewage system. Here, they encounter deadly lizard mutts (sent by President Snow once he realizes that they are alive), and Cressida, Pollux, and Castor are given guns to defend themselves.
On the way, Cressida’s assistant, Messalla activates a pod that melts off his face, while Castor loses his life to the lizard mutts. Thus, the only surviving members of Cressida’s camera crew are Cressida herself and Pollux.
Cressida then leads the remaining squad members to her friend, Tigris’ house. Here, Tigris provides shelter to the squad until the rebels begin coercing Capitol citizens out of their homes. Katniss and the others come up with a plan: Cressida and Pollux would meet up with Gale and Katniss at the President’s mansion while Peeta would create a distraction. Cressida and Pollux are believed to have died when the Capitol activated the pods along the streets. However, they survive the pods and later, film the damage that the war left on the districts. They also film the execution of President Snow, where Katniss assassinates President Coin instead.
FAQs
What happens to Cressida in The Hunger Games?
Cressida survives the Second Rebellion and the last we see of her is at the execution of President Snow, which she films along with Pollux.
Who does Katniss sleep with?
Katniss Everdeen sleeps with Peeta Mellark in Catching Fire, as Peeta helps to calm her nightmares from the arena.
What does Cressida do in Mockingjay?
Cressida is the film director in charge of shooting various propos in support of the rebellion. As such, Cressida follows Katniss wherever she goes and broadcasts short clips with encouraging messages to boost morale amongst the district residents.
Who plays Cressida in Mockingjay?
Actress Natalie Dormer plays Cressida in Mockingjay – Part 1 and Part 2 by Lionsgate Entertainment. Her assistant Messalla is portrayed by Evan Ross. The star cast includes Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson, Woody Harrelson, Liam Hemsworth, Elizabeth Banks, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Wes Chatham, and Julianne Moore.
Does Cressida survive in Mockingjay?
Yes, Cressida survives in Mockingjay, although she and Pollux are believed to have died when the Capitol activated all the pods on the streets.
Why did Cressida leave the Capitol?
Cressida specifically mentions that she left the Capitol of Panem and joined the rebellion for Katniss. She says that no one rescued her and her team, or coerced them to join the rebellion. They left the Capitol of their own volition to support Katniss.
