As the calendar inches toward September 12, 2025, anticipation among moviegoers and Stephen King fans alike is reaching a fever pitch. The reason? The imminent arrival of The Long Walk, a film adaptation of King’s first-written novel, helmed by Francis Lawrence—the director best known for bringing the dystopian world of The Hunger Games to life. With the first wave of social media reactions released on August 20, critics are already hailing the film as a brutal, emotional, and timely triumph, potentially one of the best King adaptations ever to hit the big screen.
For those unfamiliar with the source material, The Long Walk is no ordinary thriller. Penned by King while still in high school and published in 1979 under the pseudonym Richard Bachman, the story centers on a state-sponsored annual contest in which 50 teenage boys must walk without dropping below three miles per hour. The brutal catch: those who falter are executed on the spot, and the walk continues until only one boy remains. It’s a premise that’s as chilling as it is compelling, and one that has inspired filmmakers for decades. Notably, both George A. Romero and Frank Darabont once tried to adapt the novel, but it is Lawrence who has finally brought it to theaters.
The cast is a veritable who’s who of young Hollywood talent, featuring Cooper Hoffman as Ray Garraty, David Jonsson as McVries, Roman Griffin Davis, Ben Wang, Charlie Plummer, Tut Nyuot, Garrett Wareing, Jordan Gonzalez, Joshua Odjick, and Josh Hamilton. The adult roles are equally stacked, with Mark Hamill stepping in as the Major—the contest’s chilling enforcer—and Judy Greer as Mrs. Garraty, Ray’s mother. The screenplay, crafted by JT Mollner (Strange Darling), is said to expand on the novel’s emotional depth while remaining faithful to its harrowing vision, according to The Hollywood Reporter.
The embargo on spoiler-free social media reactions was lifted less than a month before the film’s debut, and the response has been nothing short of effusive. Critics have almost unanimously praised the performances of Hoffman and Jonsson, with several calling their turns Oscar-worthy. Russ Milheim of The Direct declared, “The Long Walk is an incredibly harrowing, terrifying, and traumatizing film. Cooper Hoffman and David Jonsson give Oscar-worthy performances. It’s maybe a tad long, but it does really sell the world it creates & the characters viewers find themselves walking with until the end.”
If you’re expecting another run-of-the-mill King adaptation, think again. Lauren Milici of GamesRadar+ described the film as “one of the best Stephen King adaptations ever made” and “a two-hour panic attack,” while Iyvie Scott of Inverse raved, “Cooper Hoffman and David Jonsson were born to walk beside each other” and that the movie “tore my heart out.” Collider’s Perri Nemiroff tweeted, “The Long Walk is easily one of the most intense emotional wallops of the year. I’ve read that book quite a few times. You’d think I’d be prepared to stomach the story’s themes and most gut-wrenching moments. Nope. I’m exhausted—and the movie earned it. You can tell the source material was adapted by someone who really gets it.”
What sets The Long Walk apart, many argue, is its unflinching depiction of authoritarianism and the psychological toll of such a dystopian ordeal. Andrew J. Salazar of DiscussingFilm observed, “Francis Lawrence pulls no punches, driving home the book’s themes of how authoritarianism continues to eat away at today’s youth.” This sentiment is echoed by other reviewers, who note that the film doesn’t shy away from the grim realities of its premise. Chris Gallardo of Reel Roller wrote, “An absolutely brutal experience that left me visibly shocked. Cooper Hoffman and David Jonsson’s friendship is sweet to watch in the midst of the grueling moments and physical struggles. It’s Stephen King in the vein of Hunger Games: purely intense.”
The comparison to The Hunger Games is perhaps inevitable, given Lawrence’s directorial pedigree and the film’s dystopian contest format. Yet, as several critics have pointed out, King’s novel predates both Suzanne Collins’ 2008 bestseller and the 1999 Japanese cult classic Battle Royale. Instead, the film is being praised for capturing King’s distinctive voice and the emotional complexity of his characters. “The Long Walk houses pitch-perfect, exceptional performances from Cooper Hoffman & David Jonsson,” wrote Variety’s Courtney Howard. “Visceral, gripping, emotional & provocative, a brilliant Stephen King adaptation & one of the year’s best films. A towering achievement reminiscent of The Outsiders & Full Metal Jacket.”
Of course, not all feedback is without criticism. Some viewers, such as Matt Neglia of the Next Best Picture podcast, noted that “Mark Hamill leans a bit too heavily into the Major’s villainy,” but even these quibbles are tempered by recognition of the film’s overall strength. Neglia continued, “Cooper Hoffman and David Jonsson deliver powerful, magnetic & relatable performances of remarkable depth, grounding the film in profound emotion and humanity through their characters’ brotherhood in the face of totalitarian oppression & certain death. The result is an exhausting yet gripping journey that, even at under two hours, left me feeling as though I too had marched for hundreds of miles alongside them. Hard-R brutal and moving.”
At 108 minutes, the film is described as “brutal,” “devastating,” and “riveting,” with several reviewers warning audiences to brace themselves. As Mike M of Lionsgate put it, “Truly blown away by #TheLongWalk! A harrowing, emotional, well-directed, and well-written film about friendship and perseverance under terrifying circumstances. One of the year’s best, with a career-defining performance from @davidjonsson__!”
The film’s release also marks a notable moment in the ongoing wave of King adaptations. With recent successes like The Monkey and The Life of Chuck, and more on the way—such as It: Welcome to Derry and The Running Man—King’s work is enjoying a cinematic renaissance. Yet, as The Long Walk prepares to hit theaters, it’s this adaptation that many are calling the standout of 2025.
For fans of King, dystopian fiction, or simply great cinema, The Long Walk promises an unforgettable, emotionally charged journey—a chilling meditation on survival, friendship, and the cost of obedience in a world gone mad.
