Revue: “The Long Walk” by Francis Lawrence is an emotional wallop
by Alex Billington
September 12, 2025
“Walk until it is just one of you …” This end of unexpected surprise for summer is one of the best of the year. The long walk is one of the three new Stephen King adaptations this year – as well as Chuck’s life And The monkey. It is based on one of King’s first novels published in 1979 (under its pseudonym Richard Bachman). The long walk presents a future dystopian American + an annual government game a lot as Hunger games; Although let’s be honest, it’s more than likely Hunger games borrowed from This History, considering The long walk was published 29 years before one of these books. And they really succeeded. This film did me well … It is even more emotionally impactful and exciting as a representation of fascist dystopian hell that so many other stories that try the same thing. It shook me properly. Yes, we are heading exactly what is represented – it is a Zeitgeist concept. Not only is cinema cinema, it is fascinating and so disturbing to look at, but performance is what matters most and they are all excellent here.
Here is the configuration: in the near future with a devastated economy, America now offers a game once a year very rich for young men across the country. A boy from each state is chosen through a lottery to participate in “The Long Walk”. The rules are simple: everyone must continue to walk at a speed of 3 mph or more. You continue to walk and walk until only one person remains. “If you fall below the speed of three miles per hour, you get your ticket.” Which means they kill you. A convoy of military vehicles follows to maintain the rules. If you do the calculations, this “long step” should last for about 3 days and cover more than 300 miles, which is just around the moment when exhaustion is so unbearable that you pass yourself out or become crazy. There are up to 3 warnings emitted if you slow down, which also gives them time to urinate or bind their shoes if necessary. It is exhausting. It’s crazy. Of the 50 competitors of this long step, the accent is put on Cooper Hoffman Play Ray Garraty (# 47) and David Jonsson Playing Peter Mcvries (# 23), who becomes friends during the arduous walk. With Stebbins (# 38 – Garrett Wareing), Arthur (# 6 – Tut Nyuot Who is another stands out), Barkovitch (# 5 – Charlie Plummer), Hank (# 46 – Ben Wang), Collie (# 48 – Joshua Odjick).
The relationships established on this long step are the most important part of this story – it is the real King tale. Of course, this is also a brutally honest commentary on fascism and capitalism, and the way in which the world only rewards those who are ready to commit suicide (more about this below). But it is also a story of these “boys”. This film has the most lively and the most moving Sam and Frodon Energy between Ray and Pete that I have lived for a long time. Some of the most perfect casting choices Never Get Cooper Hoffman and David Jonsson as both lead. They are outstanding together in this area. I wiped tears at the end. I will not stop thinking about them for a long time … It is not only their friendship, it is their camaraderie, their conversations, the way they appreciate them for whom they are, not for endurance to win this walk. And everything changes once they open and say their real Stories. It’s so beautiful and healthy … I think there is a wise lesson here listening, understanding Each other, far beyond the competition macho in this walk thinking that you will win it. Winning is not really what matters, right? I hope everyone watching this film understands this point that King makes between Ray and Pete.
The metaphor for walking towards wealth is in fact extraordinarily appropriate and precise. This is roughly one of the most exemplary metaphors of modern capitalism. Yes, of course, it is literally how crazy it would be to watch 50 boys walk 3 days without any rest or break or anything. Yes, it is bloody and brutal to look at, with all the usual macabre injuries that could occur along the way. This story cannot be told without showing bloody truth about how this great walk destroys a body. Brutality is also part of the metaphor. A bit like the Spanish film The platformSimplicity is essential to represent this metaphor for America’s obsession to chase wealth. Only 1 of the 50 will win and win “endless wealth” – it is interesting that they never set out an exact amount, just the dream of “wealth” is enough. Like life in poverty, you have to believe yourself to get to the end or you will not literally. You must continue to walk, No matter how hard it gets. There is the richness of the tunnel! Is everyone dead? Anyway, continue, you only have to worry about … and you will get there early. Or you don’t walk … walk! Because there is pending glory: if you can survive brutality longer than everyone! Then you, good Samaritan survivor, will finally be rewarded. Do not worry about the 49 boys who have not succeeded … they are not the winner. You are.
The long walk director Francis Lawrencewhich is also known to direct everyone Hunger games suites after the first (including Singers and snakes), this time surpasses by bringing things back to the basics with a pure and concentrated narration. The way he portrays the small dystopian cities along the way, the flashes and the moments of the gloomy inhabitants who look like ghosts in the distance, indicates that it has such an understanding of what is broken in modern society. And he wants us to see it and take it that in this film. And to also feel the heaviness and gloom of this scenario, how it is not so far from really happening, how this long walk is not the answer. It just perpetuates madness. The sneaky tip that Francis Lawrence draws so much hope and positivity in the first half of the film. Every 50 boys are so happy and optimistic! It’s also part of madness … You have to believe in this BS and create a false hope to go halfway there. I admit that this film is quite depressing to watch, but the end strikes hard and lands where it should, make the right decision. He’s a hero. It does what is necessary, but is it enough? I hope so…
Alex’s note: 9 out of 10
Follow Alex on Twitter – @Firsthowing / Or letterboxd – @firsshowing
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