“The Long Walk,” based on the book of the same name by Stephen King, is about a dystopian version of 1970s America where each year, 50 male teenagers are chosen from a voluntary pool to walk until one is left. The winner receives a large monetary prize and one “wish,” which can be anything the winner desires as long as it does not directly alter any laws or government structure. The losers die.

The boys must continually walk at a pace at or above three miles per hour, receiving two warnings if they fall behind pace. If they don’t return to the pace within a certain time frame, they are shot and killed. If they leave the pavement, they are killed. If they attack the guards, they are killed. The participants are given water and limited rations, and can bring whatever they can carry when they start.

The film stars Cooper Hoffman (“Licorice Pizza”) as Raymond “Ray” Garraty. He quickly makes friends with Peter “Pete” McVries (David Johnson “Industry”), Arthur “Art” Baker (Tut Nyuot “The Witcher: Blood Origin”), and Hank Olson (Ben Wang “Karate Kid: Legends”).

As the boys walk and numbers thin, they grow closer and share personal details such as what they would wish for if they win. The movie blends comedic moments, such as Hank claiming he’d wish for ten naked women if he wins, with introspective conversations as Ray points out that the Long Walk isn’t truly optional. He asks the others if they know anyone who didn’t enter. They don’t. Every single male teenager they know entered the raffle. Ray explains that this event is just the only visible escape from poverty.

The government has blinded the population from seeking any other means for the poor to escape. I loved these moments. Hank acts like a stereotypical teenage boy, juxtaposed with Ray’s insights about the society they live in; it’s an interesting dichotomy that both creates and relaxes tension during the murderous game.

Mark Hamill (“Star Wars,” “The Rise of Skywalker”) plays the Major, who leads the soldiers that run the Long Walk. In a flashback, the Major is shown killing Ray’s father for smuggling banned media and speaking out against the totalitarian government. Ray wants revenge, since the winner essentially becomes a mega-celebrity and a beacon of hope; he hopes he won’t be immediately killed for his actions. Ray calls the Major’s death “cutting off the head of the snake,” showing that members of the government are not invincible and that real change can be obtained.

Pete doesn’t have a home or family. He’s been walking all his life, getting into fights and just trying to survive. The large scar on his face was from someone who attacked him with a knife. But his attitude about it is inspiring. He survived that attack and decided that he should live in the moment. To focus on the here and now and make the best of it. That’s why if he wins, he wants to use his wish to make others’ lives better. For someone to experience the worst of humanity and decide they want to embody the best is a beautiful message.

Perhaps the most complex character is Gary Barkovitch (Charlie Plummer “The Clovehitch Killer”). At first, he comes off antagonistic, insulting the other competitors and picking fights. This culminates in his goading a boy named Rank into a physical altercation. Rank tries to punch Barkovitch and, in doing so, falls, severely injuring himself. He is quickly disposed of by the armed guards when he fails to get up to continue walking. Pete calls out that Barkovitch caused Rank’s death. Barkovitch denies the accusation, but he struggles with his guilt for most of the movie.

“The Long Walk” is gorgeously filmed, bringing its brutality, punctuated philosophical discussions, and moments of levity into focus. As I watched these boys laugh, share rations, and sing, I became so engrossed in their growing camaraderie that when a character that I started to feel a bond with died, it was even more impactful. As someone who is rarely moved by media, I was surprised by how hard certain moments hit me.

Although it takes place in the 1970s, ”The Long Walk” is a timely film, using a literal walk for survival to dramatize the cruelty of a totalitarian government and its misuse of military power, while highlighting the bonds that can be forged in these dark moments between friends. I encourage anyone who can handle some gore to go and watch this movie. While the concept is “out there,” I find that it is just a hallmark of King’s work. This movie did what few adaptations accomplish: it made me want to read the book. Also, don’t be afraid to see a movie by yourself. I did, and I feel that it made the film so much more impactful and engaging.