Francis Lawrence directs the 2025 dystopian film The Long Walk. A film written by Stephen King’s dark half; Richard Bachman. Depression features heavily in the downtrodden (pun intended) teen horror. So too, does defiance, determination and a sort of slow creeping madness. *JT Mollner adapted the screenplay based on Bachman’s story.*
The film works brilliantly as a character study. It also touches on the evils of any government that would sponsor this sort of deviant contest. Lawrence started collecting accolades with his version of Constantine and has not slowed down. He has the knack. Even the “so-so” version of I am Legend rises above the changes to the source material.
The Long Walk Story
Per IMDb.com: A group of teenage boys compete in an annual contest known as “The Long Walk,” in which they must maintain a certain walking speed or get shot. *The story itself predates the controversial Japanese horror film Battle Royale. King’s forerunner to BR and The Hunger Games, published in 1979, is brutal. Killing teens in a senseless contest could have, perhaps, influenced the latter two tales.*
The Battle Royale and Hunger Games Connection or Lack Thereof
Side note: I do have to get something off my chest here. The author of The Hunger Games refused to admit that Battle Royale had influenced her. She claims to have never heard of the book or film. Koushun Takami wrote the epic book; it is massive, in 1996 and it was published in 1999. The book was made into a film in 2000. The Hunger Games was out in 2008. I personally find it inconceivable that Suzanne Collins never heard of BR. All the more after reading her books. It is, somewhat annoyingly, still a bit of a sore spot with me.
The Main Cast
Cooper Hoffman is Raymond Garraty #47.
David Jonsson is Peter McVries #23.
Garrett Wareing is Stebbins #38.
Charlie Plummer is Gary Barkovitz #5.
Tut Nyuot is Arthur Baker #6.
Brilliant Cameos
Mark Hamill is the Major.
The entire cast kill it here. Jonsson has been a favorite since his Agatha Christie outing as a townie solving a small village murder. Greer since her hirsute turn in Cursed and Hamill since Star Wars. Hamill is perfect at what he does and his presence here is brilliantly played.
Let’s Talk The Long Walk
Sadly, since this book was written, the country it is set in has fallen on hard times. A leader with aspirations to become the first dictator in this country is driving us into the basement. The status the US enjoyed as a world power who cared and supported its allies, is now to be avoided. Our standing right now eerily mirrors King’s dystopian world.
Goons patrol the cities and backwaters searching for scapegoats to imprison, harass or kill. People are showing their displeasure. Not all of them though. This is a very dangerous time in history. Too many are fans of this action. The protestors face an almost overwhelming brutality. Which brings us to the biggest issue fans have with the film.
Where are the Spectators?
Most folks who feel the film “Let’s the side down,” mention the lack of ghoulish spectators that are in the book. They line the route and cheer when one of the contestants get their ticket. It adds to the brutality of the overall tale.
Missing crowds aside; the savage FX are jarring. Curly is the first to get his ticket and it is brutal. Does it make up for the lack of demoralizing atmosphere? You be the judge.
The Verdict
The Long Walk is solid. Despite earning a brutal 4 stars out of 5, one feels the urge to take a shower after watching. It is ultimately depressing and sad. Looking too deep in this mirror of our current societal ills, disturbs and makes the viewer uneasy. It is streaming right now on Starz. Head on over, on this snowbound day, and see what you think.
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