17Nov
The Long Walk follows a brutal annual competition in which a group of teenage boys must walk without stopping, fall behind, and be eliminated on the spot. As the miles add up, friendships form, rivalries flare, and the psychological and physical toll intensifies. What begins as a test of endurance becomes a grim exploration of survival, sacrifice, and what people do when pushed beyond their limits.
Story
I really liked the core story being told here. The world the film builds around the Walk feels harsh, believable, and oppressive in a way that pulls you in. There’s a strong thematic backbone throughout — a mix of dystopian pressure, personal torment, and the slowly unraveling mental state of each participant. The narrative has a good weight to it, and the tone stays consistent from start to finish. The film succeeds most when it leans into the bleak atmosphere and allows the world itself to tell the story.
Acting
This is where the film stumbles a bit. Some of the dialogue delivery felt off — either rushed, awkward, or lacking the emotional punch you’d expect in such intense moments. A few scenes were especially weird or just poorly acted, breaking the immersion when things should have felt most gripping.McVries, in particular, frustrated me as a character. He’s portrayed as endlessly good, calm, and morally solid, with almost no flaws or complexity. It’s a missed opportunity, because a film like this thrives on characters with layers and cracks. Without that, certain interactions feel flat or unrealistic. It kind of reminds me of a bit of Holes, or something like Remember the Titans.
Presentation
Visually, the film is strong. I really liked the overall look — the dusty roads, the oppressive heat, the sense of exhaustion that the cinematography captures. The gore and shock moments land well and give the story some needed impact. However, some scenes were stretched a bit too thin, dragging on longer than necessary without adding much. And from the first ten minutes, it was pretty clear who the final characters would be, which took away some of the suspense. The film has great moments, but the predictability pulls the tension out of the journey.
Overall
Overall, I enjoyed The Long Walk. The themes, tone, and world-building hooked me right away, and the imagery and presentation kept me invested. But the dialogue issues, a few awkward scenes, and the predictability of the character arcs held it back from being something truly standout.Still, it’s a solid adaptation with strong ideas and memorable moments.
Final Score: 7.5/10
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