We headed out to the Cineworld Unlimited Screening of The Long Walk, which is based on Stephen King’s story. At first glance of this film’s trailer, you may think, “How can a film about people just walking be interesting?” Well, you’d be surprised, as there is so much more to the movie!
Coming out of seeing this movie at the Cineworld Unlimited Screening, it had me gripped from the very start. What sounds like such a simple premise quickly turns into something far more intense, layered, and thought-provoking.
The Long Walk is not just about a group of young men walking—it’s a fight for survival, both physically and mentally. These competitors are pushed to the absolute limit as they attempt to cover over 300 miles, forced to keep moving and never drop below 3 mph, or risk paying the ultimate price. What makes it so engaging is how the film keeps this tension alive; even though the setup is minimal, the stakes are enormous.
As the miles stretch on, we see bonds form, friendships spark between Garrety (Cooper Hoffman) & McVries (David Jonsson), and rivalries grow. But just as easily as they are made, they can be broken, because at the heart of this story is the brutal truth that only one person can make it to the very end. The narrative cleverly balances moments of humanity with the harsh reality of the walk, which makes every interaction feel that much more important.
What really impressed me was the way the characters develop as the journey progresses. At the start, they may seem like a simple group of competitors, but gradually, we’re shown the cracks, the hidden motivations, and the deep personal reasons why each of them is there. Some of these revelations are heartbreaking, others surprising, but all of them add weight to the story and make you care more about the outcome.
The performances from the cast are excellent across the board. You can really feel the exhaustion, the pain, the fleeting joy, and even the rare moments of humour that cut through the bleakness. That mixture of tones—shocking one moment, darkly comical the next—keeps you on your toes and makes the whole film feel unpredictable in the best way.
By the time the ending arrives, you realise this wasn’t just a story about walking—it was about endurance, desperation, and the human spirit when faced with impossible odds.
After seeing The Long Walk, I can say it’s a film that stays with you long after the credits roll. It’s made me genuinely interested in finally reading the Stephen King story it’s based on, because if the adaptation is this strong, I can only imagine how powerful the original story must be.
THE LONG WALK, directed by Francis Lawrence, screenplay by JT Mollner, based on the novel by Stephen King.