Known for his post-apocalyptic and gritty work on The Hunger Games franchise, director Francis Lawrence has returned with his latest project, The Long Walk, an adaptation of the Stephen King novel (behind the pseudonym of Richard Bachman) of the same name.
With a script by JT Mollner (Strange Darling), the story has a simple premise. America is currently in a state of financial ruin, and every year, a military presence led by the Major (Mark Hamill) puts on a walk to help inspire a work ethic in a society that has seemingly become more hopeless than ever imagined. With 100 young contestants – who have all volunteered for the event – the goal is to maintain a speed of 4MPH or get shot. There is only one winner, who will receive a life-changing prize.
The Long Walk pulls you straight in with its intriguing focus on contestant #47, Raymond Garraty (Cooper Hoffman), just before he heads to the start of the walk. For a moment, everything seems like a video game, in the sense that none of the contestants feel like they are going to die doing this walk. A fake sense of community and friendship quickly forms between some of the walkers. However, when the first gunshot fires, The Long Walk steps into a relentlessly brutal pace that is unpredictable yet compelling to watch. The movie cements its tone from this point on, and it immerses the viewer into the horrific reality of this disturbing event.
With his work on The Hunger Games receiving critical acclaim, Francis Lawrence is the perfect choice for this narrative. He’s used to working with characters that must survive to the last person standing, whilst really getting into the core and background of the personalities on show. He achieved that great cinematic balance previously, and has certainly done it again here.
Alongside an incredible lead performance from Hoffman is a captivating display from David Jonsson as Peter McVries. Peter asks intense yet important questions, and brings out the best (or worst) in all those who walk beside him. After a career-changing performance in Alien: Romulus, Jonsson’s work in The Long Walk is additional proof of a promising career ahead. The dynamic between Raymond and Peter is nothing short of superb, the writing constantly shines through each actor, and as a viewer, you want more.
The film only gets better as it progresses; the more dire the situation, the more honesty it brings out within the characters. With a couple of plot twists along the way, and a kick-ass performance from Mark Hamill, the story arrives at a spot-on conclusion. The Long Walk is brutal and unforgiving in its execution, but you can’t help but watch such a unique idea that rewardingly digs down to the core of human nature, harshly pushed to its absolute limit.
THE LONG WALK is in cinemas from September 12th.
