The Long Walk review (2025)

The Long Walk is a tense, surprisingly emotional film that play out like a mix of Stand By Me by way of Lord of the Flies and The Hunger Games.

Similarities to the latter are especially interesting as Suzanne Collins’ 2008 novel and subsequent two follow-up stories seem like an expanded version of Stephen King’s 1979 novel under his pseudonym Richard Bachman.

It’s likely no coincidence that Francis Lawrence, who directed the final three chapters of the original Hunger Games films, was tabbed to direct The Long Walk. Lawrence has plenty of experience detailing atrocities children face under the thumb of a corrupt government.

The Long Walk is set in a dystopian 1970s backdrop. Fifty teenage boys participate in the long walk, a constant trek with no set finish line. They’re flanked by armed military forces with cameras that broadcast the walk to the rest of the nation.

Participants keep walking until there’s one left. Those who fail to keep pace with the group after three warnings are removed from the competition via a gunshot (or several) to the head. The winner gets a large cash prize and one wish granted, provided it doesn’t clash with the ideologies of America’s new militaristic state.

This is the scenario that Ray Garraty (Cooper Hoffman) has volunteered. In the harsh times all of the participants willingly volunteer with the delusion that that’ll beat the odds to provide a better life for their loved ones. For Ray, that’s his mother, Ginnie (Judy Greer), who’s already endured a traumatic loss.

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Upon arriving at the starting block, Ray quickly befriends Pete McVries (David Jonsson, Alien: Romulus). They expand their close circle of fellow walkers to include Art Baker (Tut Nyuot) and Hank Olson (Ben Wang, Karate Kid Legends).

As the long walk kicks off, they’re greeted by The Major (Mark Hamill), a chilling and haunting figure who offers token encouragement to the walkers from the comfort of his Jeep. Hamill isn’t there to chew up scenery, but there’s a certain dark charisma to The Major as he cavalierly discusses the fallen walkers.

Screenwriter JT Mollner does a solid job of establishing bonds and conflict with the boys. The strength of the film is these bonds that develop over the course of many miles and days. A thriller where the characters simply walk doesn’t seem like an obvious candidate for an actors’ showcase, but the film is elevated by its talented ensemble.

Jonsson and Hoffman in particular provide excellent performances. Ray and Pete develop a closeness akin to brotherhood as they share about their respective backgrounds. Pete has a sense of joy that Ray can’t relate to after the trauma he’s endured. That same trauma is what’s propelling him to win the long walk. For Pete, his motives for walking aren’t as crystalized. He’s just going as long as possible.

Nyout, Wang, Joshua Odjick, Garrett Wareing and Charlie Plummer also make for strong supporting players. Going into a film like this, the obvious approach should be to not get too emotionally invested in anyone, but the cast makes that detached viewing method unfeasible.

Lawrence doesn’t shy away from the harsh reality of the long walk. It’s a grueling ordeal that Lawrence shows in raw, brutal fashion. The boys have to contend with challenges like the scorching sun to driving rains, terrain obstacles like steep inclines and unexpected issues like rocks in their shoes and the soles wearing down. Easily the worst is the lack of a break time when nature calls. In those instances, it’s best for the walker to stay downwind.

If walkers slow their pace, the armed guards leave their vehicles and take aim while other guards issue three warnings. Upon the third one, regardless of their condition, the walker is killed. The guards are largely silent and their dispassionate demeanor as they gun down boys whose bodies betray them feels even colder.

The final act is powerfully shot although there’s a certain vagueness to the ending that’s somewhat frustrating given how the rest of the film plays out so straightforward. Regardless, The Long Walk is an experience that won’t be quickly forgotten by viewers that take this cinematic stroll.

Rating: 8.5 out of 10

Photo Credit: Lionsgate

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