The Long Walk Review: Stephen King’s Dystopian Masterpiece Is Better Late Than Never

Before his mastery of horror literature, Stephen King wrote dystopian novels under the pseudonym Richard Bachman, envisioning grim futures shaped by societal collapse. This year, two of King’s early works are being adapted into films: “The Running Man” by Edgar Wright and “The Long Walk,” directed by Francis Lawrence. Both adaptations promise to bring King’s somber worlds to life, and hopefully remind us to never skip leg day.

– “The Long Walk” is an adaptation of Stephen King’s dystopian novel written under the pseudonym Richard Bachman, set in a grim version of 1970s America where children participate in a televised contest of endurance walking, with failure to comply leading to a deadly consequence.
– The film focuses on the aspiring friendship between Ray Garraty (Cooper Hoffman) and McVries (David Jonsson) amidst a horrifying endurance contest, highlighting their survival strategies and humanistic values in a gruesome, inhuman setting.
– Despite certain concerns over character development, the film has been praised for its strong performances, intense atmosphere, and exploration of human survival instinct against a backdrop of enforced violence and dystopia.

King’s concept, as always, is intriguing in its simplicity, leveraging adolescent male bonding, a theme he frequently explores. This alternate history depicts postwar America organizing an annual endurance contest involving fifty kids, each representing a state. The objective? They must maintain a steady walking pace, kept at gunpoint by soldiers to ensure adherence to the rules.

The director, Lawrence, does a commendable job in dramatizing this premise, maintaining the pace of “The Long Walk.” The story centers around a handful of characters such as Olson, portrayed by Ben Wang of “Karate Kid: Legends,” and the unpredictable Barkovitch, played by Charlie Plummer. But the core focus lies on the friendship developing between Ray Garraty (Cooper Hoffman) and cheerful McVries (David Jonsson). These two manage to support each other, and occasionally others, prolonging their survival.

“The Long Walk” mutates from a race to finish into a journey, underscoring endurance over triumph. As the young participants battle sleep, fatigue, and harsh elements, the audience is plunged into their experience, which starkly contrasts with the harsh reality encapsulated in Mayor’s (Mark Hamill) cartoonish barks. The desolate landscapes of twisted Americana, populated by the desperate citizens searching for solace in government-endorsed violence, are stark reminders of the despair experienced by a nation in turmoil.

Mollner’s screenplay, although fixed in its focal characters, becomes more engaging with dialogues and dynamics that create a cinematic feel. The compelling performances of Hoffman and Jonsson, whose characters maintain their moral center in a hostile environment, lend credibility to their vague backstories.

The suspense of the contest adds to the thrill, as the threat of exhaustion and death looms stronger with every step. The theme of fear is explored uniquely; it’s not the conventional horror story, but a chilling tale of endurance against odds, punctuated by grisly deaths and psychological torture. A disturbing semblance to the Vietnam draft, where young soldiers were sent to their death while the country watched.

The script’s focus on Garraty and McVries lets down towards the end as sacrifices from lesser-known characters fail to move the audience. Yet, the violence and the characters’ resignation to their fate leaves an indelible impact. Our protagonists strive to preserve their humanity, forming a bond that provides a glimmer of hope in the wretched landscape, proving that the journey and companionship outweigh the destination.

Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars.

The Long Walk is in theaters, September 12th, 2025.