Stephen King, a titan in the horror genre, excels in crafting psychological narratives. In his novel The Long Walk, participants face a harrowing choice: walk or face death. While the concept sounds straightforward, the stakes are high.
Lionsgate has unveiled the official trailer for The Long Walk, a dystopian thriller adapted from King’s 1979 book. The story revolves around a brutal walking competition where 100 contestants must maintain a speed of over three miles per hour. Those who fall short risk immediate elimination.
The suspenseful trailer reveals the grim fate that awaits anyone who cannot keep pace. One contestant receives three warnings before a soldier executes him on the spot.
This competition is a battle to be the last person standing, featuring “one victor and no finish line.”
The film’s ensemble cast includes Cooper Hoffman, David Jonsson, Charlie Plummer, Ben Wang, Roman Griffin Davis, Judy Greer, and Mark Hamill.
Directed by Francis Lawrence, known for his work on the Hunger Games series, The Long Walk features a screenplay penned by JT Mollner of Strange Darling fame. This adaptation is based on King’s novel, originally published under the pseudonym Richard Bachman. Producers include Lawrence, Roy Lee, Steven Schneider, and Cameron MacConomy.
Stephen King’s stories continue to thrive in Hollywood. Earlier this year, Osgood Perkins directed The Monkey, a dark comedy centered on a cursed toy that leads to deadly outcomes. Next month, Mike Flanagan’s film adaptation of The Life of Chuck will hit theaters, following its People’s Choice Award win at the 2024 Toronto International Film Festival.
This November, Paramount will also release a new adaptation of The Running Man, another novel by King written under the Bachman alias. Directed by Edgar Wright, Glen Powell will portray Ben Richards, a competitor in the most lethal game show on Earth.
The Long Walk is set to debut in theaters on September 12.
