After decades of anticipation, the first trailer for The Long Walk has been released, bringing Stephen King’s chilling dystopian vision to the big screen. Directed by Francis Lawrence (The Hunger Games), the film is set to premiere in theaters on September 12th, 2025.
Originally penned in 1979 under King’s pseudonym Richard Bachman, The Long Walk tells the story of 100 teenage boys who participate in a grueling walking contest in a future authoritarian America. The rules are simple yet brutal: maintain a pace of 3 miles per hour without stopping. Fall below the pace, and after three warnings, you’re executed on the spot. The last one standing wins whatever they desire.
The trailer introduces us to Ray Garraty, portrayed by Cooper Hoffman, as he joins the deadly march. Alongside him are fellow contestants like Peter McVries (David Jonsson), all under the watchful eye of the Major, a cold and calculating figure played by Mark Hamill. The film also features performances by Charlie Plummer, Judy Greer, and Roman Griffin Davis.
King once described The Long Walk as a story he wasn’t sure could—or should—be filmed due to its “merciless” nature. However, Lawrence embraces this bleakness, shooting the film sequentially to mirror the emotional and physical unraveling of the characters. The result is a slow-burn psychological horror that delves into themes of endurance, grief, and the cost of survival.
For longtime King fans and newcomers alike, The Long Walk promises to be a haunting exploration of human resilience in the face of unimaginable adversity.
https://youtube.com/watch?v=videoseries&si=P02kMLDn8guNOrXJ&list=PLVVBkEdl2J2jv81DBYRZisAIP5EzkF1GF
