The Long Walk: 2025’s Most Heartbreaking Stephen King Film

Some films leave you a bit misty-eyed, others have you sniffling all the way home, and then there’s the 2025 live-action version of Stephen King’s The Long Walk, directed by Francis Lawrence and JT Mollner. This adaptation, featuring a cast of endearing oddballs, sticks closely to the source material until it upends the original ending, shifting the focus to love and selflessness. The result? A film that not only outshines the book but also claims its place as one of the most powerful and sorrowful King adaptations to date.

Unforgiving World, Unlikely Bonds

One Letterboxd reviewer summed it up:

“It’s not a fun movie.”

That’s up for debate, especially for fans of dystopian sci-fi, at least until the story gets a bit too real and you realise you’ve grown attached to characters who are about to meet grim fates.

The story unfolds in a bleak future where America’s barely hanging on, ruled by a harsh military regime led by the Major (Mark Hamill). Each year, a group of young blokes, including Ray Garraty (Cooper Hoffman), are forced into a brutal contest called The Long Walk. The rules are simple and cruel: keep walking or cop a bullet. The last one standing gets whatever he wants, no questions asked.

Shifting the Focus: From Survival to Sacrifice

While the novel centres on Ray’s solitary journey, the film gives him a grieving mum (Judy Greer), a whirlwind romance, and a personal vendetta against the Major, who killed his dad. Ray’s trek isn’t a lonely one anymore; he finds mates among the other walkers, forming a scrappy group who manage to keep their spirits up as the numbers dwindle. The love story at the heart of the film brings a new layer of depth, with a final act so raw it leaves you breathless.

Getting attached to these lads is tough enough, but the connection between Garraty and Peter McVries (David Jonsson) is something else. Their bond is the emotional core, and the performances from Hoffman and Jonsson are nothing short of electric. McVries is the one who steadies Ray when things get hairy, and the moment Ray’s mum yells, “Keep walking!” through tears is a punch to the gut, recognised even by The Academy as a standout scene.

Love, Loss, and a Twist on the Classic Ending

Ray’s drive to win isn’t just for his mum; he’s also out for revenge. He confides in McVries about his plan to take down the Major, adding another layer to his motivation. The film sets you up to expect Ray’s victory, just like in the book, but then pulls the rug out. McVries tries to bow out so Ray can win, but Ray convinces him to keep going, ultimately sacrificing himself. McVries, shattered but determined, finishes what Ray started, declaring,

“This is for Ray Garraty.”

He walks off into the night, forever changed.

The Long Walk is now available for digital rental or purchase. For those keen on more, there’s plenty of buzz around upcoming Stephen King adaptations set for release in 2026 and beyond.