Stephen King’s Latest Dystopian Horror Adaptation Debuts with the Highest Possible Score on Rotten Tomatoes
Stephen King fans have a lot to be excited about. The Long Walk, a new dystopian horror thriller film, is making waves even before its official release.
Directed by Francis Lawrence and co-produced with a screenplay by JT Mollner, the movie is based on King’s 1979 novel written under his pseudonym Richard Bachman.
The film features a strong 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 United States run by a strict totalitarian government. Each year, a group of young men participates in a deadly walking contest. They must keep moving at least three miles per hour, or they face execution. The contest continues until only one walker survives.
The Long Walk has already earned high praise from critics. According to Rotten Tomatoes, the movie debuted with a perfect 100% critics score based on 19 reviews.
Critics highlighted the film’s strong cast and its emotional core. They appreciated how it balances the brutal survival story with the lessons about friendship, loyalty, and human endurance. Many noted that the movie brings the “unadaptable” novel to life in a way that is both gripping and moving.
Some of the most talked-about points include the film’s powerful performances and masterful direction.
Critics say it delivers a tense and emotional experience while keeping viewers on edge. They were also impressed with how the movie focuses on the lives and feelings of the walkers themselves, making the story more personal and intense. One review described it as “one of the best horror movies of the year” and praised it for standing shoulder-to-shoulder with the best Stephen King adaptations.
The Long Walk far exceeded my expectations, delivering one of the most accomplished Stephen King adaptations in years — easily standing shoulder-to-shoulder with the very best entries in the author’s cinematic canon.
Brent Hankins
Strong cast, life-affirming messages power haunting tale of government overreach.
Christian Toto
A brutal tale of endurance, friendship, and loyalty that tries to straddle the fence between the early life lessons from the novel and the graphic violence that would satisfy horror fans.
Norman Gidney
The “unadaptable” becomes one of the year’s most harrowing and impactful watches, defying preconceptions to emerge atop of this year’s horror crop.
Matt Donato
With masterful direction, heart-wrenching performances, and a harrowing survival tale in perpetual motion, ‘The Long Walk’ smoothly snatches back its legacy as the king of the dystopian fable.
Lyvie Scott
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 is set to be released in the United States by Lionsgate on September 12. With its mix of suspense, emotion, and thrilling action, it’s already shaping up to be one of the year’s must-watch films.
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