Stephen King’s early dystopian novel The Long Walk has finally been adapted into a movie, set to premiere in theaters on September 12, 2025. The film, directed by Francis Lawrence, known for his work on The Hunger Games sequels, brings to life a brutal story about a deadly walking contest in a dystopian America. Here’s everything you need to know about the release, cast, and first glimpses of this highly anticipated film.
Release Date and Distribution
The Long Walk will be released in the United States by Lionsgate on September 12, 2025. The movie has a runtime of 1 hour and 48 minutes and is rated R for its intense violence, language, and graphic content. This release comes after decades of failed attempts to adapt Stephen King’s novel, which he wrote as a teenager in the 1960s but was not published until 1979 under his pen name, Richard Bachman.
The production, with a budget of around $20 million, began principal photography in Winnipeg in July 2024 and wrapped by September of the same year. The film’s score is composed by Jeremiah Fraites of The Lumineers, adding to the emotional and tense atmosphere of the story.
Cast and Characters
The movie features a mix of rising stars and veteran actors, led by Cooper Hoffman (son of the late Philip Seymour Hoffman) as Raymond Garraty, the main character who joins the walk to support his family and honor his father’s rebellious past. David Jonsson, known for his roles in Alien: Romulus and Rye Lane, plays Peter McVries, a philosophical and resilient walker who forms a close bond with Garraty.
Other key cast members include:
- Garrett Wareing as Stebbins, an unsettling figure with cryptic motives.
- Tut Nyuot as Arthur Baker, a kind-hearted participant.
- Charlie Plummer as Gary Barkovitch, the aggressive antagonist of the group.
- Ben Wang as Hank Olson, who starts confident but faces emotional breakdowns.
- Mark Hamill as The Major, the authoritarian leader overseeing the walk.
- Judy Greer as Mrs. Garraty, Raymond’s worried mother.
The cast also includes Josh Hamilton as Mr. Garraty, Raymond’s father, and Jordan Gonzalez as Richard Harkness, a walker documenting the event for a future book.
First Look and Story Details
The film is set in a dystopian America where 50 teenage boys volunteer for an annual contest called “The Long Walk.” They must maintain a speed of at least 3 miles per hour; if they slow down or stop, they receive warnings, and after three warnings, they are executed. The last walker alive wins untold riches and a wish granted by the government.
The first look at the movie, released by Vanity Fair, shows a gritty, intense atmosphere focused on the physical and psychological toll of the walk. Director Francis Lawrence emphasized the importance of authenticity, stating:
“You need to feel the miles and the time passing, and feel the degradation โ emotionally, psychologically, physically. I wasn’t going to dilute that and make the studio feel super-comfy with it.”
The story centers on the friendship between Garraty and McVries, who support each other through the brutal ordeal. While the novel ends ambiguously, the film adaptation changes the ending, with Peter McVries emerging as the winner instead of Garraty. In a dramatic twist, McVries uses his wish to demand a gun and kill The Major, making a bold statement against the oppressive regime.
Background and Production
The Long Walk was Stephen King’s first novel, written during the Vietnam War era, and serves as an allegory for the senseless loss of young lives in conflict. The book has influenced many dystopian stories, including The Hunger Games and Squid Game, with its themes of survival, sacrifice, and societal decay.
Director Francis Lawrence, who also produced the film with Roy Lee and Steven Schneider, described the project as a long passion. He aimed to stay true to the novel’s bleak tone while highlighting the humanity and bonds between the characters. The movie was shot on location in Manitoba, Canada, using realistic settings to emphasize the desolate, economically struggling world of the story.
Early Reactions and Reviews
Early reviews praise the performances of Cooper Hoffman and David Jonsson, whose chemistry adds emotional depth to the brutal narrative. Critics note the film’s unflinching violence and psychological intensity, which make it a challenging but compelling watch. On Rotten Tomatoes, the movie holds a 95% approval rating from critics, who call it “a brutal slog for its characters but an exhilarating watch for audiences.”
However, some reviews point out weaknesses in character development for supporting walkers and the repetitive nature of the dystopian setting. Despite this, the film is celebrated for its faithfulness to King’s vision and its powerful commentary on modern issues like reality TV, economic despair, and authoritarianism.