The Long Walk

In about a decade, we will look back on the cast of The Long Walk the same way we do for ensembles of films like Short Term 12, Scott Pilgrim, and Dazed & Confused. We will point to this eclectic mix of future superstars and say, “Yeah, this is where it all started.” This cast contains some of the next generation’s great talents, and I am confident that it is not a matter of if their careers explode but when.

Headlining this ensemble is David Jonsson. I first fell in love with his work in the very underseen & underappreciated film Rye Lane, where he completely steals the audience’s heart. He has such a strong comedic presence and radiates this infectious, positive energy in every single scene. Then he turns around and does a total 180 in Alien: Romulus, delivering a phenomenal performance as a character meant to be an emotionless blank slate. Now, in The Long Walk, Jonsson once again proves just how much on-screen charisma he has. He tugs at your heartstrings, uplifts the ensemble, and delivers so many standout moments thanks to his impeccable timing and delivery. Jonsson already has a diverse portfolio of fantastic performances under his belt, and I cannot wait to see what the future holds for him.

But while Jonsson in particular shines, the entire ensemble is remarkable here. This is a two-hour dialogue-driven movie, following 50 young men on a relentless walk where only one can remain. If the performances were not all on point, this could have been a miserable experience. Thankfully, everyone steals scenes from top to bottom. Most of us have already been introduced to Cooper Hoffman for his spellbinding turn in Licorice Pizza, and he more than holds his own alongside Jonsson across this journey. He maximizes his signature charm here as the deeply relatable Ray, stealing scenes with his moments of great humor, immense compassion, and hefty emotional weight—especially in a scene involving his mother. It is yet another strong performance in what is already becoming a notably blossoming career.

It was also great to see Ben Wang pop up again after his impressive debut earlier this year in Karate Kid: Legends. The movie was pretty forgettable, but his performance stood out as a real highlight. He continues that streak here. Even though Wang has limited screen time, he delivers some of the film’s best laughs and most memorable lines, leading to a presence that far outlasts his character. Like Jonsson and Hoffman, I am highly anticipating to see where his career takes off from here. Tut Nyot also makes a strong impression, stealing hearts and delivering what I would call the film’s most emotionally devastating moment. And Roman Griffin Davis of  Jojo Rabbit fame makes another welcomed appearance. Need I say more? If there was any reason to see this film, it would be to witness the next generation of movie stars.

However, I have to give credit where credit is due. Director Francis Lawrence, known for The Hunger Games series, has such a gift for pulling brilliant performances from young actors. He turns characters you have only just met into people you quickly become attached to. The Long Walk sets its tone early with a perfectly timed title card drop right at a peak moment of tension. It had me hooked, and Lawrence’s vision never lets up. As a result, he crafts one of the must-watch films of the year.

The Long Walk is the fourth Stephen King adaptation that I have seen this year, and in my opinion, it stands out as the best one. There is a film I cannot talk about yet, a film that won the People’s Choice Award at last year’s Toronto International Film Festival, and an atypical horror movie that you would expect from an adaptation of the legend. You would think the massive action spectacle, the prestigious festival winner, or the unambiguous horror spectacle would be the truly special King adaptation, but The Long Walk really moved me. It blew me away to the point that I was fighting to hold back tears. It keeps that King charm of his iconic horror works, adds in the sense of camaraderie and brotherhood that we saw on display in flicks like Stand By Me and The Shawshank Redemption, and adds this brisk, nonstop pace that is sometimes absent from King adaptations. I want to extend extra praise to screenwriter JT Mollner, who truly makes this film special with his deliberate and earnest writing. I am eager to check out his acclaimed flick from last year, Strange Darling, after this.

I do not want to give away too much, because I truly believe this is one of those films that is best experienced as blind as possible. But The Long Walk is easily one of the best films of 2025. Between its phenomenal ensemble cast, its ever-forward pacing that never drags, and its emotionally tight, character-driven screenplay, it is no wonder that it has the word of mouth it does. This is ultimately a film about brotherhood, humanity, and passion. Every actor, creative, and craftsperson on this film marches together to deliver one of the most impactful movies of the year.

8/10