Francis Lawrence’s The Long Walk is riveting and unsettling in equal measure, with a sharp humanistic edge. Yes, this latest Stephen King book adaptation grips from the start—not just with its twisted, gruesome acts (the film is unflinchingly brutal and often very gory), but through the relationships and character development that anchor the looming horror. You really get to know these guys, and against your better judgment, you start rooting for them—even though you know only one can survive. And with that, every elimination hits like a gut punch. That emotional reaction is no small feat given that the film is literally 95% walking and talking. And while the story wisely skips showing every step of the endless march, you still feel the weight of the journey by the end. Heck, my feet were killing me just watching it. Much of the positive impact comes from the cast: Cooper Hoffman is a standout, while David Jonsson brings a grounded presence as the voice of sanity. Ben Wang and Charlie Plummer infuse their characters with memorable quirks, and even Mark Hamill’s authoritarian Major strikes the perfect love-to-hate balance. Beyond the performances, the movie resonates with themes of totalitarian control and the resilience of hope in the face of despair. Yes, it stumbles a bit in the final stretch, but like any worthwhile long walk, the payoff is worth the bumps along the way.