By Sarah Osman

The movie version of The Long Walk doesn’t follow Stephen King’s narrative exactly, but it remains true to the spirit of the novel.  Which means it is just as harrowing an experience.

The Long Walk, directed by Francis Lawrence. Screening nationwide on September 12.

Cooper Hoffman (l) and David Jonsson star in The Long Walk. Photo: Lionsgate

Over the years, Stephen King has introduced us to some spine-tingling villains: Pennywise, Annie Wilkes, Jack Torrance. But the most disturbing of his baddies isn’t supernatural or just an all-powerful homicidal killer. It is a monster who has no qualms overseeing teenage boys die. In fact, he believes in these deaths because it’s all for “the glory of America.”

This grotesque creature is simply known as the Major. Perched upon the top of a tank, the tyrant gives rousing speeches to teenage boys who embark on the long walk. The rules of the long walk are simple. You have to maintain a speed of 3mph. You will receive two warnings if you fall below this requirement. On your third warning, you receive your exit ticket — a bullet to the head. Try to escape: a bullet to the head. Try to attack the soldiers monitoring you: a bullet to the head. And you can never stop walking. At the end of this long walk, one boy remains. That lone winner receives riches and his heart’s greatest desire.

Thus is the premise of The Long Walk, a King novel that has now been made into a movie directed by Francis Lawrence (Lawrence also helmed most of the dystopian Hunger Games films). Cooper Hoffman stars as Ray Garraty, who’s entered the contest because, as his father puts it, no one actually volunteers for the Long Walk. They must enter the lottery  because, in a poverty-stricken world, what other choice do they have? He’s challenged and befriended by McVries (David Jonsoon), who tries his best to look at the sunny side of life, even when he’s part of a literal death march. Two more boys round out the plot’s “musketeers”: Hank Olson (Ben Wang), a smart ass with a New York accent, and the kindhearted Arthur Baker (Tut Nyuot). Not every boy welcomes camaraderie: Barkovitch (Charlie Plummer) enjoys mentally tormenting his competitors while the silent Stebbins (Garrett Wareing) maintains himself by showing no emotion.

I have read The Long Walk, and I was curious about what a film adaptation would look like. Most of the book is focused on Garraty’s point of view, interrupted by the occasional horrific death scene. Despite its elemental survivalist minimalism, it’s a captivating read. Thankfully, the film turns out to be as fascinating as the novel. The movie version of The Long Walk doesn’t follow King’s narrative exactly, but it remains true to the spirit of the novel. Which means it is just as harrowing an experience.

King was insistent that the movie receive an R rating and he was right to make the demand. Not only because of the consistent profanity, but because of the succession of violent and shocking deaths. No matter how many characters die, I never became accustomed to the sound of gunshots. The first 20 minutes of this film wouldn’t fly at Comic-Con — and for good reason.

Mark Hamill (yes, Luke Skywalker himself) plays the chilling Major with surprising power — he projects an imposing and haunting intensity. The character never shows any remorse or care for these boys; he sincerely believes what they are doing is what’s best for the country. We never quite learn how America became this dystopian but — considering our current pathetic state, given its obsession with a ‘warrior ethos’ — it is not hard to imagine how we might get there. We have men who resemble the Major currently in office, creatures who are apparently more than willing to make a contest out of punishing the impoverished.

Sarah Mina Osman is based in Los Angeles. In addition to The Arts Fuse, her writing can be found in The Huffington Post, Success Magazine, Matador Network, HelloGiggles, Business Insider, and WatchMojo. She has an MFA in Creative Writing from the University of North Carolina Wilmington and is working on her first novel. She has a deep appreciation for sloths and tacos. You can keep up with her on Instagram @SarahMinaOsman and at Bluesky @sarahminaosman.bsky.social.