Of the four Stephen King adaptations that are hitting theaters next year, perhaps none is more perfect for our time than The Long Walk. Based on King’s 1979 novel of the same name that he penned under the pseudonym Richard Bachman, the story is set in a dystopian future ruled by a totalitarian government that rounds up 100 teenage boys every year to participate in a sick game where the stakes are literally life and death. Written by King as a social commentary piece on the Vietnam War, the film is directed by The Hunger Games’ Francis Lawrence, and stars a plethora of young newcomers along with Hollywood veterans like Judy Greer, who recently teased what we can expect from the movie when it debuts in 2025.
Dealing with themes of sacrifice, survival, and oppression, Greer sat down with Collider to discuss The Long Walk, which was filmed earlier this year in Canada and is now in post-production. Like the novel, she says the film is set in a “timeless” place, and while there is some technology present in the adaptation, she did mention that there is a vintage quality to the script that highlights the fact that you could drop it in any time period, and it would still be relevant. In addition to also commenting on its young stars, Greer called it “a really dark story.”
“Yeah, it’s called The Long Walk. It’s based on a novel Stephen King wrote in 1979. It was in response to the Vietnam War. Our movie kind of takes place again in sort of like a timeless place. Like there’s some technology, but then there’s a lot of throwback elements to the script. Francis Lawrence directed it, and Cooper Hoffman is the star. There are so many great young actors in this movie. I’m excited for all the talent that’s going to emerge. It’s a really, really, really dark story, and it’ll probably be perfect for when it comes out.
“My husband just read the book, and every night in bed, he’d be just turning a page going like,’Oh my God, oh my God.’ [Laughs] I’m like, ‘I know. I was telling you every day when I was shooting.’ He’s like, ‘Yeah, but it’s really dark!’ Personally, it’s so nice sometimes to see movies cast with people I don’t already know because I can still lose myself in the story, you know? Not like I watched the movie, and I’m like, ‘Oh, I need to call her.’ [Laughs] I’m like, ‘I don’t know who they are, and they’re amazing.’ That’s kind of how I felt when I was on set. These young guys are just incredible.”
The Long Walk Is One of Four Stephen King Movies Being Released Next Year
Made up of 100 teenage boys that are chosen at random from a list of applicants, The Long Walk sees them trek along U.S. Route 1 with no rest, and the threat of death should they fall below a speed of 4 mph more than three times. In that case, they’re shot dead on site, which is how each contestant is eliminated until there remains one solitary walker, who gets a cash award and a prize of whatever he wants for the rest of his life. By that time, however, the lone survivor is so damaged both physically and mentally that it makes living a nigh impossible task, which speaks to the story’s theme of war, and the irreparable harm it causes to those who come back from witnessing such atrocities.
It’s not the only Stephen King adaptation hitting theaters next year that takes place in a dystopian future featuring a horrendous game, though, as director Edgar Wright will also be presenting his take on The Running Man in November, another Bachman novel that was first brought to life in 1987 with Arnold Schwarzenegger. Glen Powell is taking point this time, with William H. Macy, Michael Cera, Lee Pace, and Josh Brolin also on board to star.
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We’re also getting The Monkey in February, which comes by way of Longlegs director Osgood Perkins, and is another dark adaptation that deals with themes of family, innocence, and evil. On the lighter side of things, Mike Flanagan’s adaptation of The Life of Chuck is also getting a wide release in 2025, and while there are some tragic elements present in that one, it’s more of a celebration of life and the human condition rather than an outright horror movie.
Adapted from the story of the same name by Stephen King, The Monkey is a horror mystery film that follows twin brothers Hal and Bill, who discover a mysterious monkey toy in their father’s attic that seems tied to several grizzly deaths. After years apart, the twins learn that similar deaths have begun again and must reunite to destroy the monkey.
- Release Date
- February 21, 2025
- Director
- Osgood Perkins
- Main Genre
- Horror