The Long Walk Review
The Long Walk (2025) Film Review, a movie directed by Francis Lawrence, written by JT Mollner and Stephen King and starring Cooper Hoffman, David Jonsson, Garrett Wareing, Tut Nyuot, Charlie Plummer, Ben Wang, Jordan Gonzalez, Joshua Odjick, Mark Hamill, Roman Griffin Davis, Judy Greer, Josh Hamilton, Noah de Mel, Daymon Wrightly, Jack Giffin, Keenan Lehmann and Dale Neri.
Francis Lawrence directs the best Stephen King adaptation in years, The Long Walk. A genuinely frightening look at a dystopian America where financial barriers have arisen and caused overwhelming despair, The Long Walk is driven by two tremendously accomplished lead performances and it’s hard to look away from the screen during the duration of the film. That’s all the more astonishing considering that the movie is essentially a group of men walking for about two hours. Days pass and grueling hours seem endless as these men become worn down, tired and occasionally sleep (and dream) while they walk too. It’s a near-genius concept which is made all the more interesting by the smart script adaptation by JT Mollner
Cooper Hoffman is featured in the film as Raymond Garraty who is number 47 in a bunch of guys who are assembled to walk to their death, so to speak, as only one of these men will reign triumphant. That man will be the last one standing. This film opens with Raymond and his mom, Ginnie (Judy Greer), who suggests that Raymond backs out of this incredibly challenging competition. As Ginnie drops her son off for what could be certain death, the film builds suspense and, for the first twenty minutes, sets the stage for what is to come with a pre-opening title sequence that packs quite a wallop.
Mark Hamill, excellent as usual, serves as the head of the competition, The Major, who plays no games and Raymond has a very distinct plan in regard to what he would do to “The Major” if Raymond were to win the fierce competition at the center of the film’s plot. Hamill creates a sense of dread in the film through a very distinct performance that is the complete opposite of one of Hamill’s previous characters, Luke Skywalker. It’s almost like a variation on the evil Darth Vader in a weird sort of way.
David Jonsson is nothing short of fabulous as the determined Peter McVries (number 23 in the competition). Jonsson has a very tight grasp on this role as he and Raymond form an unforgettable bond that helps drive the dramatics of the story line. Jonsson and Hoffman play off each other with terrific depth and create three-dimensional characters who fairly leap off the screen in terms of how truly rich they are.
There is also a fine slate of supporting characters as well. Ben Wang’s Hank Olson (number 46) gets some big laughs as the guy who would round up 10 naked ladies if he were to triumph at the end of the long walk. Wang’s turn here is on the money with integrity and fury integrated within. Garrett Wareing and Charlie Plummer are no slouches either both in terms of their characters’ walking abilities and in terms of their spot on performances here.
The Long Walk is a fast and furious ride filled with tension as people get shot as they drop to the ground. I particularly enjoyed the dynamics of the relationship formed between the characters Raymond and Peter who are usually at the front of the line and deliver monologues and dialogue exchanges which are both thought-provoking and exceptionally written at the same time.
Judy Greer also fares extremely well as the mother in a role that would be non-existent in a lesser film. Greer brings emotions to the part that could have come across as insincere with another less talented actress playing the role. Director Francis Lawrences pulls out all the stops here. Characters sometimes defecate as they walk and are usually shot dead in such instances. This movie doesn’t ever cop out or sell the audience short and that fact makes it the best King adaptation I’ve seen in years.
The Long Walk rests on the two turns by the lead actors. Cooper Hoffman is excellent, but he is occasionally upstaged by the brilliant Jonsson who carries a lot of the weight of this movie on his shoulders. Hoffman carries a lot of the film too, but Jonsson clearly has the showier role, even if it’s just by a notch. It’s clear one of these characters could be victorious in the walk but do the ends justify the means? Hoffman and Jonsson are simply astonishing in their roles here, as stated and the chosen ending will offer surprises.
Ultimately, The Long Walk is thought-provoking, powerful and entertaining even though it is rather disturbing as well. When our victor faces off with the system represented by “The Major,” it makes for one of the most intriguing conclusions at the movies this year and audiences will enjoy the results immensely. We don’t know if the winner will be guaranteed to have a future, but this movie has one as one of the best King adaptations of all-time that will chill moviegoers for years to come.
Rating: 8/10
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