Buzz
Officially, Bong Joon-ho’s 2013 science fiction film Snowpiercer has no connection to the 1971 family favorite Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory. However, a particular fan theory proposes a surprising link.
The “Wonkapiercer” theory, popularized by YouTuber Rhino Stew, posits that Snowpiercer serves as a sequel to the Gene Wilder-led film adaptation of Roald Dahl’s cherished novel.
*Spoiler Alert: If you haven’t watched both films, proceed with caution—spoilers lie ahead.*
Rhino Stew starts their detailed video analysis by highlighting some superficial similarities between the two films. “Both movies follow groups navigating through an elaborate, fantastical setting,” they note. “As they progress, members are eliminated one by one until a single survivor reaches the end, only to discover the entire journey was a test orchestrated by a wealthy tycoon seeking a successor.”
Both films explore themes of “sacrifice, choice, and free will,” while also delving into “economic class systems,” the role of children, and the significance of food. However, the theory goes beyond these parallels: Rhino Stew proposes that Ed Harris’s character, Wilford, the authoritarian owner of the train, is actually an older version of Charlie Bucket.
According to the theory, Charlie emulated Willy Wonka, even adopting his name, and advanced “cutting-edge food production and experimental transportation technologies.” These innovations led to the creation of the Snowpiercer, designed to rescue humanity during a climate catastrophe. Like Wonka’s factory, the train is “self-sufficient and fully autonomous,” Rhino Stew elaborates.
The theory also suggests that some characters from Willy Wonka might have counterparts in Snowpiercer. For instance, Slugworth, Wonka’s spy, could parallel Gilliam, Wilford’s informant. Franco’s marksmanship resembles Mike Teavee’s fascination with guns, while Minister Mason’s love for fur coats and her habit of leading entrances might hint at an adult Veruca Salt.
Rhino Stew also addresses the absence of Oompa Loompas in Snowpiercer. When Wilford mentions a “piece of equipment” essential for the train’s operation that “went extinct recently,” he isn’t referring to machinery—he’s talking about Oompa Loompas. (After all, Oompa Loompas were crucial to Wonka’s transportation systems.) With their extinction, Wilford resorted to using children as replacements.
While the evidence presented is already quite convincing, the “Wonkapiercer” theory includes even more intriguing elements. For a deeper dive, check out Rhino Stew’s full video below.
