As ‘Nauseating’ As Critics Say The Long Walk Is, One Actor’s Performance Is ‘The Beating Heart Of This Grim Story’

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In 2025, as Francis Lawrence’s “The Long Walk” graces the cinema calendar on September 12th, theater-goers might find themselves moved to a deep emotional response. Previews have left some viewers in tears, while early screenings have been described as delivering an “impactful emotional punch.” However, beyond the intense, perhaps even unsettling, experience audiences are anticipating, there’s widespread praise for David Jonsson’s acting prowess.

The film adaptation of a Stephen King novel focuses on Cooper Hoffman’s character, Raymond Garraty, who is one of 50 young participants competing in a contest where they must walk continuously. Those who slow down are put to death until only one survivor remains. Although Cooper Hoffman’s performance is receiving high praise, our very own Eric Eisenberg asserts that David Jonsson delivers an exceptional performance that surpasses his previous work. In TopMob’s review of The Long Walk, Eric gives the movie a rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars.

In simpler terms, Hoffman’s work shines, and I want to emphasize the exceptional acting performances across the board (a special mention goes to Judy Greer, who touched me deeply with her portrayal of Ray’s mom). However, without a doubt, the performance that will generate the most buzz after watching the movie is David Jonsson as Peter McVries. As we delve deeper into the story, Peter emerges as the heart of the film – a kind-hearted individual born into nothingness who strives for eternal optimism in a harsh world. Jonsson’s emotional performance throughout this journey is flawless.

Meagan Navarro from Bloody Disgusting concurs, identifying Cooper Hoffman (from Licorice Pizza) and David Jonsson (known for Rye Lane and Alien: Romulus) as emerging talents. In summary, the critic awards the forthcoming horror film a rating of 4 out of 5 skulls. Regarding the actors, they are commended in her review.

In this somber tale, the duo serves as the resilient core, helping each other endure the toughest moments and testing their beliefs against the backdrop of worsening circumstances. Remarkably, Jonsson’s unwavering optimism, a beacon of hope amidst a lifetime of disillusionment and suffering, risks captivating the entire movie and your affection in the process.

Jacob Oller from The AV Club assigns a B grade to ‘The Long Walk.’ Despite the film being “graphic” and “disturbing,” he notes that it essentially features a 100-minute conversation between some of the most talented young actors, notably Cooper Hoffman and David Jonsson. Oller goes on to say…

In this film, Hoffman delivers a heartfelt performance, particularly during a moving monologue about his character’s late father, which sets him apart. However, it is Jonsson who truly shines with his versatile acting and nuanced facial expressions that make him a standout performer. The exceptional talent in the cast ensures they all shine brightly, as they each strive to capture the truth in Stephen King’s often unconventional dialogue under Jo Willems’ direction.

According to Clint Worthington from RogerEbert.com, the movie “The Long Walk” receives a rating of 3 out of 4 stars. He emphasizes that the film’s gruesome killings, categorized as splattercore, are truly deserving of an R-rating and remain chilling as the number of victims increases. Among the actors in the movie, Worthington praises their performances in his critique.

Hoffman and Jonsson form an inspiring duo, standing firm on their moral ground in a setting where others might emulate Barkovitch’s ruthless tactics (bullying and undermining fellow competitors to ensure their downfall). By creating a tight-knit group of survivors, they offer support during difficult times. Although their histories are not extensively explored, brief dialogue snippets, including Judy Greer as Garraty’s concerned mother, provide intrigue that compensates for the perceived lack of depth in their backstories. The captivating performances fill in the gaps with a sense of mystery.

According to Gregory Nussen of Deadline, while he concurs with the criticisms about the performances of the main cast, overall, he finds “The Long Walk” overwhelmingly intense. The disturbing theme is so strong that it feels like a heavy anvil instead of a necessary hammer. He further explains that this heavy-handed message repeatedly strikes us when a more subtle approach would have been more effective.

Hoffman and Jonsson exhibit remarkable humanity under such profound circumstances, yet their dialogue sometimes feels contrived and overly sentimental. In stark contrast, they are the only individuals who genuinely appear human among all the contestants. The majority of the others can only be understood as embodying the importance of youth, serving primarily to evoke emotional responses from us.

Without a doubt, “The Long Walk” promises to be a challenging viewing experience. However, for those with strong constitutions who are up for the challenge, this R-rated clip could serve as a gauge. It seems the actors have delivered a performance that is definitely worth catching in theaters starting September 12th.

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2025-09-12 02:39