Aaron Ploof
I’m a Stephen King Fan. Although I’m relatively new to his works, I’ve loved just about every one of his stories. And while, yes, they are known to be horrifying and dark, there is another aspect to his writing that encourages me to continually come back to his work: his humanity. Whether it be the innocence of children overcoming societal evils (IT), the love a mother has for her child winning out over her husband’s familial abuse (The Shining), or learning to accept the damage that is passed down to us (The Monkey), there’s usually something significantly human to King’s works. Something that speaks to our hearts and lets us recognize warmth, or at least the more positive, healing side to life.
In The Long Walk, humanity shines through, even if the story in which it takes place is definitely not optimistic. Serving as a metaphor for war (particularly Vietnam), or simply a recognition of the long walk of life, The Long Walk manages to continually instill hope, only to rip it away at the next chance it has. Still, the movie is a celebration of friendship, camaraderie, and the sacrifices we will make to see our loved ones survive. It is also a condemnation of violence and an urgent plea to see the beauty surrounding us from day to day. These messages are conveyed effectively in the film; however, you may need some time to recover after viewing it.
Congratulations, You Have Been Chosen
The Long Walk takes place in an unknown dystopic future of America, ruled over by a totalitarian regime. The economy is in the pits, so for “inspiration” to the rest of society, the regime runs a yearly event in which 50 teenage boys will walk endlessly across a preset route. They must maintain a speed of 3 miles per hour. If they fall behind, they will receive a warning. Two more warnings and they will be “given their ticket” from the muzzle of a carbine rifle. The last boy to still be walking gets a hefty cash prize as well as the granting of any wish he desires.
One of the boys chosen from this year’s voluntary lottery is Raymond “Ray” Garraty (Cooper Hoffman). The film opens with him arriving at the starting point for the event with his mother, Ginnie (Judy Greer), in tow. She begs him not to go, but he says, “This is the only way.” After a tearful goodbye, Ray meets the rest of the boys and The Major (Mark Hamill), the leader of the regime. Following an “encouraging” speech by The Major, the boys start walking.
Friends Till the (Bitter) End
Among the group of boys, only a few connect with Ray. There’s Billy Stebbins (Garret Wareing), Arthur Baker (Tut Nyuot), and Hank Olson (Ben Wang), with a couple of others. Olson is a habitual gum chewer. Stebbins is in perfect shape. These characters are mostly one-note. To put it simply, they’re difficult for me to remember, even just a few days after seeing the film. I do recall Charlie Plummer, though. He plays Gary Barkovitch, an antagonizing kid who makes trouble for the walkers. He has little depth, but his character arc is at least a bit intriguing.
Other than Ray, Peter McVries (David Jonsson) is the most memorable. He becomes a steadfast companion and trusted ally of Ray’s on The Long Walk. Jonsson vanishes into the character, fully embodying his optimism in the weary world that continually beats him down. He delivers what I would argue to be the most essential monologue in the entire film. His speech conveys an important theme. We should live in the present moment, seek beauty, and appreciate the world around us. Jonsson performs it exceedingly well.
Despite the violence that surrounds them on their walk, the bonds that the young men share help carry them through. All of them come from low-income, barely getting by households, and although they may have different personalities, they come together on The Long Walk. “F*ck the Long Walk,” they cheer, and although viewers will wish they could all make it through, at your core, you know it will probably come down to Ray, as he has a special wish to make.
A Special Wish
Ray’s reason for being on the walk in the first place, and the wish he desires, is revealed as the film ratchets up in tension. With this reveal comes flashbacks to the past that more fully explore Ray’s childhood and his relationship with his recently passed father. The nature of Ray’s wish becomes a central theme: Is vengeance worth losing one’s soul? Or should one devote oneself to love and do their best to live life, despite knowing that darkness will endure? Is it selfish to die for a cause one believes in, knowing that loved ones will be left behind?
Some of these questions are answered, but a few are left for you to ponder over the themes. The ending of the film is not what you would expect, but it fits perfectly. It leaves you feeling haunted, dwelling on its implications.
As said before, the bond that is shared between Ray and McVries is at the core of the film; everything revolves around it, including the boy’s shared hatred for The Major and the Long Walk Itself. It’s simply how they approach these factors that differentiate the boys from each other. I’ve said much about Jonsson’s performance as McVries, but Hoffman also disappears into his role. Point in fact, all of the actors do, even the ones that make less of an impression.
Villains, Heroes, and Weaknesses
Speaking of impressions, Mark Hamill makes little of one. There’s nothing wrong with his performance, but then again, the role doesn’t call for a lot of range. He yells, shouts, and looks angry throughout. No knocks against his acting, I doubt anyone could have done a better job, but this isn’t a complex villain. Judy Greer is amazing as Ray’s mother. When she breaks into tears after seeing her son off, you truly believe the sorrow her character is experiencing.
Besides the poorly developed side characters, the film feels burdened by its overreliance on vulgar language. There’s an overabundance of f-bombs here, and I don’t feel like their presence contributed to the film in any manner.
This One’s a Winner
Despite these weaknesses, The Long Walk is still an impressive film. Filled with tension, dramatic moments, and more than enough heart, this is a film one should see if they are looking for a thrilling, dark experience. Just know this is one of Stephen King’s more pessimistic adaptations, and hope always seems a long walk away in this universe.
