The Long Walk is a departure for Stephen King but ultimately as satisfying as his horror films
It's a character study disguised as a horror-thriller
When you hear Stephen King, what is the first thing that comes to mind? The creepy clown Pennywise from It? Maybe the iconic Overlook Hotel from The Shining? Or the always classic prom scene in Carrie? Well, the one thing all these movies have in common is that they are absolutely terrifying, exactly what Stephen King is known for.
King’s 1979 novel, The Long Walk, strays away from this path to bring you something completely fresh and unique. The same can be said of the book’s movie adaptation. And while there are elements of fright, The Long Walk is definitely more thriller than horror.
Directed by Francis Lawrence, The Long Walk centers around a group of boys living in a war-ravaged dystopian future America, competing in a government-sponsored survival race. A race in which they are required to walk at a minimum pace of three miles per hour continuously, day and night. Failure to do so results in execution until only one kid is left standing, literally. The winner (or survivor) is granted a large cash prize and one wish for anything they could want. As the hours drag on, alliances are made, bonds are formed, and the boys are forced to question not only their resolve but also their character.
The movie is carried by outstanding performances by two boys in particular, Cooper Hoffman as Ray Garraty and David Jonsson as Pete McVries. Each boy has voluntarily entered the race for their own reasons and is painfully aware that the other must die for them to win. The emotional weight of that knowledge is as clear as the road itself, as these actors bring to life the physical and emotional suffering they must endure.
The Long Walk is a character study disguised as a horror-thriller. With a 108-minute runtime, the movie feels intentionally exhausting at times, most likely to mirror the narrative of the film itself. But you can’t help but find yourself committed as you root for these kids, as they take one step after another. The Long Walk delivers and is worth the emotional toll it takes to get to the finish.
