Stephen King’s ‘The Long Walk’ Adaptation Stuns Critics with Perfect Rotten Tomatoes Score
Stephen King fans have something to look forward to this year. The Long Walk, a new dystopian horror thriller, is set to hit theaters on September 12. The movie is directed by Francis Lawrence, co-produced by him as well, and written by JT Mollner.
It is based on King’s 1979 novel, published under his Richard Bachman pen name.
The film features a strong ensemble cast, including Cooper Hoffman, David Jonsson, Garrett Wareing, Tut Nyuot, Charlie Plummer, Ben Wang, Roman Griffin Davis, Jordan Gonzalez, Josh Hamilton, Judy Greer, and Mark Hamill.
The story takes place in a dystopian version of the United States, where a totalitarian government runs the country. Each year, a group of young men competes in a deadly walking contest. They must keep moving at least three miles per hour, or they face execution. The challenge continues until only one participant remains alive.
The Long Walk has already received strong praise from critics. On Rotten Tomatoes, it debuted with a perfect 100% score based on 19 reviews.
Critics highlighted the movie’s strong performances, emotional depth, and how it balances intense survival drama with meaningful messages about friendship, loyalty, and endurance. They also praised the way the film focuses on the walkers’ personal experiences, which makes the story more engaging and suspenseful.
I’m in absolute awe of the film’s audacity and execution. It’s modern cinema at its most hardcore.
Eric Eisenberg
The Long Walk is brutal. It’s not for the faint of heart. It can be violent, disgusting, and incredibly hard to watch. But if you do watch, you’ll be rewarded with a surprisingly beautiful, nuanced, human story.
Germain Lussier
The Long Walk is a perfect movie. I don’t say that very often about new films, but as I watched this, I realized I didn’t have a single thing I would change about it.
Jonathan Sim
Terrifying in its premise and heart-wrenching in its execution, The Long Walk achieves a gripping story with dynamic characters.
DarkSkyLady
The Long Walk’s steadfast focus on the lives and emotions of the walkers themselves is an exceptional choice, allowing the film to be tense, moving, and complex. It’s one of the best horror movies of the year.
Jeff Ewing
The movie has been described as a successful adaptation of a novel that many thought could not be translated to the screen.
Critics appreciated the mix of emotional storytelling and tense, thrilling moments. Many said it ranks among the best Stephen King adaptations in recent years, showing both the brutal and human sides of the story.
WALK OR DIE.
— The Long Walk (@jointhelongwalk) May 7, 2025
From legendary author @StephenKing.
From The Hunger Games director Francis Lawrence. #TheLongWalk – in theaters September 12. pic.twitter.com/lpEt7rfoSb
The Long Walk will be released in theaters in the United States by Lionsgate on September 12.
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