20 Incredible Modern Horror Movies That Came Out Of NOWHERE
7. The Long Walk
The Long Walk didn’t come out of nowhere because the people behind it were just getting started, but rather because it’s based on a relatively lesser-known Stephen King novel and because it’s the all-too-rare King adaptation that’s actually very good.
Set in a financially destitute post-war version of the rural United States, The Long Walk follows 50 young men who volunteer to trek nonstop across the country to inspire patriotism, integrity, and a rejuvenated work ethic. They’re guided by army soldiers, and after receiving three warnings, they’re executed without hesitation if they walk too slowly or stop for any reason.
Ultimately, the last one standing receives a ton of money and the ability to make any wish they want.
Every death hits hard because the men are convincingly multifaceted – be they cowardly, friendly, antagonistic, foolishly prideful, etc. – and their believable bonding is the heart of their journey. Thus, there’s overwhelming fear and tragedy in seeing them be brutally murdered while knowing that only one of them will cross the figurative finish line.
In typical King fashion, then, The Long Walk is a dystopic narrative that melds excellent characterizations and dialogue with dreadful circumstances to provoke audiences into considering how much the fictional world mirrors the policies and practices of the real world.
In other words, what’s happening in The Long Walk isn’t too far-fetched from what has happened – or could happen – in the real world.