The Long Walk is a Stephen King Adaptation that's allowed to breathe.

4 out of 5

Francis Lawrence's adaptation of Stephen King's novel, The Long Walk, is a grueling and masterful character study that, while not without its flaws, offers a haunting meditation on humanity, hope, and despair. A young King developed this story in the late 1960s and it proves remarkably prescient in that the autocratic vision he had of the United States edges closer in reality. The film itself has a 1970s vibe about it: the police cars, uniforms and the general sense of scenes. Life in the US is portrayed as a desperate affair where books and ideas are outlawed and transgressors executed. Like The Hunger Games a group of people either work together or fall individually. Where this film succeeds is less as a flashy "death game" thriller and more as an unsettling, slow-burn psychological drama, earning it a solid four stars.

The film's greatest strength lies in its unflinching focus on the young men forced to participate in the brutal titular event. A representative from each state (unusually there are only 49 participants) take part in The Long Walk which means, they walk or die. The last person standing wins unbelievable riches and a single wish, whwich must be granted. Unlike similar dystopian fare that might focus on grand spectacle, The Long Walk stays close to its characters, and the excellent ensemble cast delivers. Cooper Hoffman anchors the film as Ray Garraty, a seemingly ordinary kid whose motivations for joining the Walk are slowly and painfully revealed. He brings a raw, authentic humanity to the role, serving as our moral compass through the unimaginable ordeal.

However, it is David Jonsson as Peter McVries who truly shines. Jonsson imbues McVries with a captivating mix of charisma, pragmatism, and a surprising depth of empathy. Their budding friendship is the emotional core of the film, and the quiet moments of camaraderie, as they share food, stories, and the weight of their situation, are far more impactful than any of the film's shocking acts of violence. The film smartly contrasts this brotherhood with the more nihilistic and antagonistic characters, like Charlie Plummer's Barkovitch, who serve as a brutal reminder of how easily humanity can be stripped away.

The themes explored are just as powerful as the character work. The film delves into the illusion of choice in a totalitarian society, where even a deadly competition is framed as an opportunity. It is a stark allegory for the dehumanizing nature of oppressive systems. The "Walk" itself becomes a metaphor for the struggle to maintain dignity in the face of certain death, and the boys’ conversations about their lives, their families, and their dreams highlight a desperate need to find meaning in a meaningless situation. The film’s quiet, unrelenting nature forces the audience to confront the psychological toll of this grim contest, making it less about "who will win" and more about "what will they lose along the way."

While some supporting characters feel like archetypes designed purely for dramatic effect, and Mark Hamill's portrayal of "The Major" veers a little too close to cartoonish villainy, these are minor quibbles in a film that largely gets it right. The Long Walk is not a comfortable watch, and its repetitive nature can be a challenge, but the emotional gut punch it delivers is undeniable. It’s a compelling and heartbreaking adaptation that cements itself as one of the most poignant Stephen King films in recent memory.