The Long Walk is a superb acting showcase, but its tonal issues and baffling screenplay make this a weak Stephen King adaptation.
Director: Francis Lawrence
Genre: Horror
Run Time: 108′
Rated: R
Release Date: September 12, 2025
Where to Watch: In U.K. & Irish cinemas, in U.S. theaters, and globally in theatres
For a man whose work has been endlessly adapted into many successful films, there are a select few Stephen King books that seem stubbornly difficult to translate to screen. Most notable is The Stand, Stephen King’s epic magnum opus, which has had either troubled or simply mixed TV productions, with an upcoming Doug Liman-helmed feature in the works. One of King’s earliest novels, The Long Walk, is also one such book, with notable directors such as George A. Romero attached to a screen adaptation starting from the 1980s.
Eventually, the ball landed in Francis Lawrence’s court. Best known as the director of all but one of The Hunger Games films, he seems like a perfect choice, but maybe this is just one of those King books that just can’t translate well onto the big screen.
Whilst The Long Walk wasn’t published until 1979 under King’s pseudonym Richard Bachman, it was the first novel he wrote, beginning it as an eighteen-year-old. The story’s concept is absurd: in a post-war America, an annual walking competition gives a group of 50 young men hope of untold riches and a better life. The catch is, only one of them can win; the other 49 will be killed or die from the challenge. Along the walk, which continues indefinitely until only one is left standing, anyone who falls below 3mph receives a warning. Three warnings and they’re out (read: dead by a bullet from the soldiers who follow them).
For a film based around people walking and talking, The Long Walk is highly engaging. It zips by with dynamism, fuelled by some excellent performances from the ensemble, including Ben Wang (Karate Kid: Legends) as Hank Olson, Tut Nyuot (Small Axe) as Arthur Baker, and Garrett Wareing (Manifest) as Stebbins. But the stars of the show are David Jonsson (Rye Lane) and Cooper Hoffman (Licorice Pizza), playing Peter McVries and Raymond Garraty respectively. Two of the brightest actors working today form an indelible onscreen bond in swift fashion, with Jonsson in particular shining in a charisma-soaked performance.
Despite these strong performances, The Long Walk stumbles due to the story’s concept, and more specifically how it translates into severe tonal whiplash. J.T. Mollner’s (Strange Darling) hamfisted screenplay is unable to finely balance—admittedly, a tough job—between the story’s humorous surrealism and gritty societal commentary. When one unfortunate walker gets a bad stomach and has to defecate whilst on the move, the moment feels oddly amusing. Mollner recognises the absurdity of the situation, but the tonal shifts are poorly navigated. It’s a harsh way to die, but The Long Walk isn’t able to capture the seriousness of it amidst the preposterousness, despite Mollner and Lawrence clearly wanting to.
As the film reaches its climax, the duo rushes through the deaths, before a conclusion that is emotional and involves some strong imagery. But this is largely down to the performances from Jonsson and Hoffman, who not only do a lot of walking, but also a fair bit of heavy lifting for the film itself. Despite The Long Walk being unable to shake off the shackles of its inherently dumb concept, Lawrence’s adaptation is never a slog. It’s just a shame the journey is so uneven.
The Long Walk: Movie Plot & Recap
Synopsis:
In a near-future American dystopia where poverty is rife, an annual competition offers those involved a chance at a better life. But out of the 50 young men, only one can survive, as we see the best and worst of humanity rolled into one.
Pros:
- A terrific ensemble headlined by Cooper Hoffman and David Jonsson
- Highly watchable and engaging
Cons:
- A script that is neither funny nor serious enough
- A mishmash of tones only serve to emphasise the preposterous concept
The Long Walk will be released in U.K. & Irish cinemas, in U.S. theaters, and globally in theatres on September 12, 2025.
