Adaptations of Stephen King works are a common thing in Hollywood. Ever since the horror author shot to fame in the 1970s, his books have won over and terrified generations of readers. Some film adaptations of his work have been very successful, such as Carrie, The Shining, Christine, Stand By Me, The Running Man, The Shawshank Redemption, Misery, The Green Mile, 1408, The Mist, It, and The Monkey. Other adaptations have received mixed reviews, such as Dreamcatcher, Thinner, Secret Window, and Doctor Sleep. Finally, there have been disappointing films based on King’s work, such as Firestarter, Mr. Harrigan’s Phone, and Mercy. While there is interest in the author’s novels, the Hollywood adaptations of said books tend to either be very good or not so good.

The Long Walk is the latest King adaptation. Based on the 1979 novel (published under the pseudonym Richard Bachman), it is directed by Francis Lawrence, who’s best known for his work on The Hunger Games film series. Yet the question remains: does this movie adaptation do justice to its source material?

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Set in a dystopian post-war world, American society has been facing crippling economic hardships, mass unemployment, and a deep loss of morale. A totalitarian dictatorship has installed itself in charge of the country and focuses on inspiring patriotism. In order to get people motivated to work, the government has devised a system called “The Long Walk”, in which fifty boys are selected via way of a national lottery. The contestants have to keep walking for an undetermined amount of time until there is only one person left. Nobody outside of the event is allowed to help the contestants, who are provided with food rations and water canteens by the military guards. If a walker drops below three miles an hour, then he is served a first warning. To get a warning rescinded requires one to increase their walking pace for about one hour. A second warning can lead to a third warning, which culminates in a contestant getting shot by the soldiers. Attempts to stop running or to escape from the road also result in execution. When a walker is ill, injured, or in a compromised state, execution via the soldiers is the immediate response. There is no end date or finish line, and the last person left will be declared the winner, receive a huge monetary reward, and have a wish of his choosing fulfilled. Although the contest is voluntarily, thousands of boys willingly sign up for the event, because there are no real alternative options to consider beyond extreme poverty and the increased militarization of the United States.

Ray Garriaty (Cooper Hoffman) is a local Iowan boy who joins the Long Walk. Despite pleas from his fearful mother Ginnie (Judy Greer), he decides not to back out from the competition. Among the other contestants include cynical snarker Peter McVries (David Jonsson), cocky and upbeat Hank Olson (Ben Wang), nerdy Richard Harkness (Jordan Gonzalez), athletic Arthur Baker (Tut Nyuot), bullying Gary Barkovitch (Charlie Plummer), skittish Thomas Curley (Roman Griffin Davis), and aloof Billy Stebbins (Garrett Wareing). Overseeing the event is the Major (Mark Hamill), a military official who’s never shown without his dark-tinted aviator sunglasses. He is adamant on inspiring work ethic and greatness among the American public. Furthermore, the Major argues that anybody can win the Long Walk if they have enough determination.

As the event begins, it quickly becomes apparent that not everyone is physically or mentally up to doing the challenge. Three contestants are executed within the first thirty-five miles covered. What’s more, the first one to go is the youngest, having lied about his age to participate in the competition. During the first night, thirteen Walkers are gunned down by the soldiers due to slowed pace, fatigue, injury, or sickness. Meanwhile, Ray finds himself haunted by memories of his late father William (Josh Hamilton), who was executed for promoting seditious materials to the public. It becomes apparent that his father’s death is what spurred Ray to sign up for the Long Walk. He opens up to McVries and slowly forms a friendship with his fellow contestant. Despite his wariness to talk, McVries reveals himself to have been the victim of his parents’ deaths, an abusive uncle, and countless fights.

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Upon entering the second day, a number of Walkers have been killed, and the group realizes that it is anyone’s game by this point. Ray and McVries have to contend with Barkovitch’s obnoxious attitude and Hank starting to crumble from the pressure. Bookish and intellectual Richard Harkness wants to write a book about the competition, but his fellow competitors are doubtful that he’ll get a chance to finish said project. Stebbins clashes with other contestants and finds himself on the outs after an argument ends in sheer tragedy. Despite assuring each other that they can make it to the end, Ray and McVries are beginning to doubt whether or not winning is possible or if it’s worth pursuing.

Cooper Hoffman shines as Ray Garraty. The son of the late Phillip Seymour Hoffman has proven to be a capable actor in his own right. Whereas his father excelled playing jerks, eccentrics, creeps, and losers with vulnerability, Cooper has found his niche in insecure young men, as demonstrated by his most recent roles in Licorice Pizza and Saturday Night. He manages to make Ray believable as a troubled, insecure teenager who is facing tough stakes and an uncertain future. What Hoffman conveys best is a sense of affability with a growing sense of dread. One emotional poignant scene in the film involves remembering his character’s deceased father, and Hoffman really sells the moment in a way that brings the real-life loss he and fans of cinema endured back in 2014. It is clear that Hollywood has someone really special on their hands with this young talent.

Jonsson brings a stoic yet emotive demeanour to McVries. Having shot to fame as the friendly android in last year’s Alien: Romulus, the British actor does a 180 in playing a more somber, defeated character. While initially withdrawn and closed off, he gradually begins to speak more and his biggest moment as McVries is recalling the story of how he acquired his scar. Unlike Hoffman having flashbacks, Jonsson really shines when holding his own opposite Hoffman, and viewers believe the chemistry between these two actors.

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The rest of the cast does well in their roles. Roman Griffin Davis gives an aura of sensitivity and boyishness to the role of Thomas, and one cannot help but feel for him as the young man realizes how much he’s out of his depth. Garret Wareing plays Stebbins as a calm, quiet type with no desire to interact with anyone else. When watching him onscreen, he brings to mind a young Wyatt Russell and Glen Powell. Despite his initial standoffish behaviour, he slowly opens up to the other Walkers. By the time the film enters its third act, he is more emotionally available, and the reason for why he joined the Long Walk is revealed (but will not be disclosed by this author). In some ways, Wareing is also an underdog competitor whom the audience grows to understand and even empathize with. Jordan Gonzalez brings a light-hearted element of comedy to the role of Richard, and one can’t help but pity him as he realizes his dream of writing a book may never come to pass. Ben Wang comes off as blustery and charming when playing Hank, but as the stakes increase, his cockiness gives way to fear and uncertainty. Charlie Plummer succeeds in making Barkovitch a bullying jerkass, but his unpleasant persona gives way to an increasingly troubled demeanour who’s feeling guilt over his actions. While Tut Nyuot isn’t given much exploration, his quiet nature and acceptance show Arthur as a man of honour and conviction, and a final request he makes to Hoffman is painful to watch.

Perhaps the biggest surprise of The Long Walk is Mark Hamill himself. The former Star Wars veteran has officially entered a new chapter in his career: that of a character actor. Having done thirty years of voice acting roles like The Joker in animated Batman productions, Hamill changes gears by playing the Major as a grizzled, no-nonsense martinet with an air of bravado and extremism. As confident as the Major sounds in valuing ideals and fallen Walkers, it becomes apparent that he is a pretty hypocritical individual who doesn’t truly care for anyone else. Viewers never learn what his name is, nor do they get a glimpse of the eyes behind those sunglasses. Hamill has admitted the Major is meant to be a despicable type; in a San Comic-Con interview, he described the character as such: “He’s sadistic and all those terrible things. It’s unlike anything I’ve ever done before and that’s what I like.” That being said, however, there is a significant plot twist in the film that puts an even more darker spin of the character. It also makes Hamill a truly compelling actor who can hold his own.

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As a filmmaker, Lawrence excels at focusing on individuals in extreme situations that have to find a way to survive. Unlike his past work in The Hunger Games, this is a story about endurance and focusing on pushing towards the end. Specifically, the film is difficult to watch in depicting people being pushed to their physical and mental limits. Injuries sustained during the event are shown in graphic detail, such as severe bruising, inflamed skin, fractured bones, lacerated flesh, and even bullet wounds. One Walker even has an internal hemorrhage and endures copious nosebleeds, which is jarring to watch. The issue of Walkers having to relieve themselves of bodily waste during the competition is depicted in full, and it is both squeamish and uncomfortable to behold on the silver screen. Another disturbing aspect of the event is the number of spectators that gather to watch the Walkers struggle onwards, including young children who refuse to look away. It speaks volumes about a society where coming to gawk at people’s struggles is considered entertaining by the masses.

Vertigo Entertainment/Lionsgate

Overall, The Long Walk is a great movie and a solid adaptation of King’s novel. Indeed, it could very well be one of the best adaptations to date. Lawrence succeeds in capturing the essence of the source material and exploring a world in crisis. Hoffman, Hamill, Jonsson, Wareing, Plummer, and Wang deliver strong performances. Four out of four stars.