After languishing in development hell since 1988, Stephen King’s 1979 dystopian novel The Long Walk has finally made it to the big screen – and it was well worth the wait. 

Directed and produced by Francis Lawrence from a screenplay by JT Mollner, the film stars rising young actors Cooper Hoffman (son of the late Academy Award winner Philip Seymour Hoffman) and David Jonsson in the central roles, with Garrett Wareing, Tut Nyuot, Ben Wang, Charlie Plummer, Judy Greer and Mark Hamill also appearing.  

Set in a dystopian alternate version of 1970s America, the film follows 50 teenaged “Walkers” participating in the film’s titular walking contest. The Walkers are required to maintain a speed of three miles (five kilometres) per hour throughout the walk, risking execution if they slow down. The walk ends when only one Walker is left standing. 

Notably, The Long Walk was filmed in various locations in Manitoba, including Birds Hill Provincial Park and the town of St. Lazare. Viewers from Manitoba may recognize these familiar spots as they appear on screen, adding a fun bonus to the viewing experience. 

From the start of the walk until the credits roll, viewers will feel as though they are walking alongside the competitors, feeling their pain through every step. I felt loss every time a Walker succumbed to the pressures of the journey, even if they had only appeared for a few seconds in the film prior to that point (spoiler alert – if it wasn’t made clear already, there are deaths in this movie, some gruesome). The costume and makeup design, done by Manitobans Heather Neale and Doug Morrow, respectively, along with the excellent cinematography, do a great job at displaying the bleakness of the story and the struggles that the Walkers experience. 

This tragic tale succeeds on the big screen largely because of its cast. Hamill is brilliantly evil as the contest’s leader, known only as “The Major,” and I found myself loving to hate him. Wang (who you may remember from his star role in this summer’s Karate Kid: Legends) provides some much-needed comic relief as the confident Hank Olson, and Plummer is compelling as the unpredictable, antagonistic Gary Barkovitch. I was able to remember nearly every named character in this movie, which is a testament to the strong performances throughout. 

However, the heart of this film is the friendship formed between Ray Garraty (Hoffman) and Peter McVries (Jonsson). I could feel the bond that Garraty and McVries shared, which made the circumstances they were in even more tragic.

Hoffman is a steady anchor, serving his role well as a compelling protagonist. However, if I had to name just one standout among the cast, it would be Jonsson, who has a magnetic presence. He delivers every line with a nuance and complexity that warmed my heart in one moment and crushed it in the next.

Critics have raved about the film. It received an 88 per cent “Certified Fresh” rating on Rotten Tomatoes, with its critics’ consensus stating, “Cooper Hoffman and David Jonsson’s soulful performances bring a lot of heart to Stephen King’s dystopian tale, making The Long Walk a life-or-death ordeal for its characters but a riveting ride for audiences.”

Writing for the Hollywood Reporter, Frank Scheck praised Lawrence’s direction, stating, “[Lawrence] does a superb job with material that could easily have proven tiresomely repetitive in the wrong hands.” He also commended the acting performances, noting the friendship between Garraty and McVries characters as being “deeply affecting.” 

There were some changes made from King’s novel, particularly some differences in Garraty and McVries’ motivations for entering the Walk.

Most notable is a significant change to the story’s ending — while it does end with only one Walker standing, the rest of the finale takes a very different turn from the book. However, those who loved the book can rest assured that these changes do not lessen the emotional weight of the story.

Make no mistake, as with any Stephen King adaptation, The Long Walk is not for the faint of heart. This movie is a tough watch, for all the right reasons. You’ll want to cheer for these characters, despite knowing that no happy ending awaits them. For those who are interested in thrillers and enjoy Stephen King’s work, it is a must-watch. Just prepare to be physically and emotionally exhausted when the credits roll — as though you, too, have walked for days without stopping.