The first reactions to the upcomingStephen KingadaptationThe Long Walkare in, and it looks like yet another winner in the author’s catalog. Published in 1979 under the pseudonym Richard Bachman,The Long Walkis actually the first book King ever wrote. Versions vary, but it has been said that he completed it when he was still a teenager. 2025 sees the project on the big screen after decades of several industry figures trying to adapt it. George A. Romero and Frank Darabont tried at some point, but those attempts never came to fruition. Eventually,The Hunger Gamesfranchise directorFrancis Lawrence teamed up withhorrorproducer Roy Lee, and together they have seemingly achieved what many thought to be impossible.
Now, several fortunate fans and critics have already had the chance to see the film, which officially opens on September 12, courtesy of Lionsgate. Following the screenings, the embargo has been lifted andX/Twitteris flooded with resoundingly positive reviews.Courtney Howardcompares the film toThe OutsidersandFull Metal Jacketsand says it “houses pitch perfect, exceptional performances from Cooper Hoffman & David Jonsson. Visceral, gripping, emotional & provocative, a brilliant Stephen King adaptation & 1 of the year’s best films.”
Matt Negliaof Next Best Picture says that it “finally brings Stephen King’s 1979 dystopian novel to the screen in an adaptation that preserves its core essence while making a few surprising changes,” and confirms it left him “feeling as though I too had marched for hundreds of miles alongside them.“Chris Gallardocalls it “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’sStephen King in the vein ofHunger Games: purely intense.”
‘The Long Walk’ Is “One of the Most Powerful Stephen King Adaptations” Ever Made
The praise continues courtesy ofAndrew Salazar, who says “Cooper Hoffman & David Jonsson steal the entire film” and callsThe Long Walk"one of themost powerful Stephen King adaptationsin recent years. Francis Lawrence pulls no punches, driving home the book’s themes of how authoritarianism continues to eat away at today’s youth.“Russ Milheimsays the movie feels a bit long (it has a running time of 108 minutes), but says it “is an incredibly harrowing, terrifying, and traumatizing film.” He also praises the two leads, saying “Cooper Hoffman and David Jonsson give Oscar-worthy performances.”
Finally,JJ Gonzalezadvises audiences not to get popcorn for the movie, and says, “Francis Lawrence at hismost dystopian, disgusting, and emotionallygrueling yet. An entirely fantastic cast that will have you throwing your flowers for everyone, ESPECIALLY the amazing Ben Wang. This keeps the 2025-is-great-for-horror fire burning and has a certain moment that’ll be talked about for a LONG TIME.”
The Long Walk
