Movie Review: The Long Walk. Stephen King is having quite the year…

Stephen King is having quite the year on screens, and The Long Walk, adapted from his very first short story, continues that streak. This haunting dystopian tale takes us through a nightmarish America where young men volunteer, or are perhaps coerced, into a gruelling contest: a walking competition with one ultimate prize. The premise is simple, but the emotional stakes are anything but.

The Plot

Short stories don’t have the luxury of exposition, and this adaptation smartly leans into that. We never get the full origin story of how America became dystopian or what exactly gave birth to the Long Walk. Instead, the film places us squarely in the midst of the action, focusing on the young men’s dialogue and interactions.

Through their conversations, we learn who they are, what motivates them, and what they stand to lose. The result is an almost claustrophobic intimacy. The viewer isn’t just watching these boys walk but living every mile with them. And as the casualties mount, each death carries an emotional punch, a heartbreak that lands harder because we’ve come to know these boys as people, not just numbers.

The Final Two

From early on, it’s clear that two walkers will likely endure the longest. Watching them push forward while leaving fallen companions behind is bittersweet. There’s a strange thrill in their perseverance, but it’s undercut by the grim reality: only one can win. The tension here is exquisite, made all the more powerful by how quietly the stakes are conveyed. There are no over-the-top action sequences, no dramatic exposition, just the slow, painful march toward an inevitable conclusion.

The Final One

And then comes the finale, a gut-punch moment that shook me. The competitor we had expected to claim victory, the one whose mother waits for him at home, chooses to step aside, recognising that his fellow walker deserves it more. Would I have done the same? Probably not. Watching the last walker avenge his friend by confronting the Major is cathartic and chilling in equal measure.

The Actors

David Jonsson and Cooper Hoffman deliver the best performances of their careers. Jonsson, in particular, captures every nuance: the exhaustion, the fear, the fleeting moments of levity, while Hoffman complements him perfectly, making the dialogue-driven format feel electric. Even in scenes heavy with death and despair, these two command attention. And Mark Hamill, as the enigmatic Major, proves that even brief appearances can leave a lasting impression.

Overall Impression

The Long Walk is not your typical Stephen King adaptation. It’s not a horror film in the traditional sense, nor is it an action-packed spectacle. It is dialogue-heavy, emotionally raw, and intermittently brutal. The movie doesn’t explain why the Long Walk exists, and it doesn’t apologise for the gut-wrenching emotional toll it takes. Instead, it asks you to walk alongside these boys, mile after mile, until the last step. It’s painful, meditative, and, at times, unforgiving, but it works. Not every viewer will find it easy to watch, but for those willing to endure, it’s a haunting experience that lingers long after the credits roll.

All in all, The Long Walk is painful, emotional, and it’s worth watching… just know it’s not for everyone.