Stephen King’s The Long Walk, a classic dystopian novel by one of the most popular writers of the past several decades, has now been made into a chilling and thrilling film adaptation. This film is set in a alternate, futuristic America that has fallen into a desperate state. As a result, Americans have been driven to extreme lengths to obtain wealth and fortune. The “Long Walk” itself is a competition where 50 young men above the age of 18 walk for survival, with the hope of winning a fortune and a wish, granted to the last man standing.
Viewers have described this film as intense and fast-paced, encompassing the drive of the walk from beginning to end. This film relies on its tension, camerawork, and pacing to immerse the audience into the film. During a promotional screening, heart monitors were strapped to viewers, and every participants heart rate exceeded 200 beats per minute, which is an astonishing spike compared to the rate of 70/80 beats per minute. This statistic was used as part of the films marketing campaign to show just how psychologically thrilling the film truly is. According to The Long Walk‘s official Facebook page, audience heart rates during the first 20 minutes alone increased to 2.5 times higher than their average resting levels.
While the film has received plenty of positive attention, many viewers have also found the film quite morbid and disturbing. There is a significant amount of gore and brutality, making it unsuitable for those who dislike graphic scenes of violence. The combination of relentless pacing and brutal depictions of death can be overwhelming, and some audience members even had to leave the theatre because it. Despite the intensity, the film delivers a powerful and thought-provoking and themes, making it an overall gripping and enjoyable film experience.
