It reaches theaters “Walk or dies” (“The Long Walk”): Francis Lawrence offers a new dystopyy based on a Stephen King novel

The prolific writer Stephen King adds a new and disturbing adaptation with the arrival to theaters of Walk or die (The Long Walk)the second novel he wrote under his pseudonym Richard Bachman. The film is directed by Francis Lawrencerecognized for bringing to the screen the most memorable deliveries of The hunger games.

With echoes of contemporary phenomena such as The squid gamethe film is located in an alternative and totalitarian United States (with reminiscences to the sixties), the plot revolves around the participants of a contest as a walk.

What it is about walking or dies (The Long Walk)

50 young Americans are selected by raffle for this annual walk. If any walker reduces the speed to less than five kilometers per hour or deviates from the road, it is eliminated from the competition with a shot in the head at close range. The last survivor wins a fortune that will live well for the rest of his life, in addition to the promise of fulfilling him a desire, to be able to ask for what he wants.

History works like a brutal metaphor about the pressure, competition and limits of physical and emotional resistance. During the march it is ensured that the whole country is seeing these young people to leave their lives to meet the goal. A deliberate attempt by invisible rulers (represented by “the elder”) by appease the masses and glorify obedience.

Ray (Cooper Hoffman) and Peter (David Jonsson) are the protagonists of this story that at times has a lot of Stand by me. Contrary to what one might think of a death competition, friendship has a fundamental role in the film. At times it works, at times it feels forced, but it is distinctive.

The youth cast also brings together promising names with solid trajectories: Roman Griffin Davis (Jojo Rabbit), Charlie Plummer, Ben Wang and Tut Nyuottogether with consolidated figures such as Mark Hamill (The legendary Luke Skywalker of Star Wars) and Judy Gerer (Halloween, Ant-Man).

Designed for fond of suspense, social science fiction and intense narrative challenges, walk or dies challenging a new generation of audiences: gamers, streamers, booktubers and cinephiles, which will find in this film not only tension but also disturbing questions about obedience and the cost of survival.

Walk or die (The Long Walk) arrives at theaters on Thursday, September 25. Directs Francis Lawrence. Cast: Cooper Hoffman, David Jonsson, Garrett Wareing, Tut Nyuot, Charlie Plummer, Ben Wang, Roman Griffin Davis, Jordan Gonzalez, Josh Hamilton, Judy Greer, Mark Hamill. Producers: Roy Lee, Steven Schneider, Francis Lawrence, Cameron Macconomy. Distribute: BF Paris.