The Long Walk (2025) | Film Review

The Long Walk follows a group of around 50 young men in a dystopian world all coming together to take part in a “game” to be the last one standing in a walk to the finish line, the winner gaining untold wealth and a single wish. Based on one of Stephen King’s earliest novels (though it was 100 men in the novel), it also has echoes of Hunger Games (directed by Francis Lawrence, who also directed this) and modern-day class struggles. The rules are somehow complicated in their simplicity, but the bottom line it that only one of these young men will reach the finish line alive.

The collection of young men are identified by names and assigned numbers, and we come to know each of them as each mile passes. In particular, Ray (Cooper Hoffman) and Peter (David Jonsson, who absolutely dominates the screen) lead the way as they become increasingly close. These two come from completely different backgrounds, but as they come to rely on each other, a brotherhood emerges. One that extends to their fellow travelers Baker, Olson, Stebbins, and the ominous Barkovitch. All while Mark Hamill’s ominous The Major, in a muted yet menacing role as the leader of this doomscape of a world, looms over them all.

Each step these young men take is another leap towards garnering understanding of this world and its limitations. The Long Walk equals hope of a brighter future, but at what cost? Each character is infused with a well-rounded performance which elevates what could have amounted to rather mundane exercise in futility. JT Mollner’s excellent script modernizes King’s novel by allowing each character the time necessary to evolve throughout the proceedings, while Francis Lawrence tightens the audience’s noose at every turn, forcing us to confront the fact that we might lose almost every single character we are being conditioned to love as the film rolls on. Even the most despicable of characters, like Barkovitch (Charlie Plummer), is afforded the opportunity to reflect on their own choices throughout the walk.

Ideas, classes, right and wrong: it’s all part of the character building as the film soldiers towards its inevitably controversial conclusion. The suspense complements humanity, and what we are left with is a fascinating look at what brings us all together, as well as what tears us all apart. We come to believe these men will eventually find salvation, despite all evidence to the contrary with each and every step.

If you get the chance to catch The Long Walk, run to the theater. Seriously, it is that great of a film. A soulful combination of Stephen King’s The Running Man and Stand By Me, The Long Walk is one of the best films of the year.