The Long Walk, the long-awaited Stephen King adaptation that spent nearly four decades in development, reached number one on HBO Max within 24 hours of its streaming debut, reports polygon.com.
Directed by Francis Lawrence (Constantine), the film was released in cinemas last year and is based on King’s 1985 novel, originally written in 1966 under his Richard Bachman pseudonym.
The project had previously passed through the hands of several high-profile filmmakers including George Romero, Frank Darabont, James Vanderbilt and André Øvredal, none of whom progressed to production.
Set in an alternate United States under military dictatorship, the story follows 50 teenage boys who volunteer for an annual walking competition across the Midwest. Contestants who slow or stop are shot dead, with the sole survivor receiving a cash prize and their greatest wish.
The film’s success has drawn renewed attention to King’s Bachman era, which also produced The Running Man. Critics have noted thematic parallels between The Long Walk and later dystopian works such as Battle Royale and The Hunger Games, while some scholars have interpreted the novel as a Vietnam War allegory.
Lawrence’s adaptation runs at a brisk pace and makes notable changes to King’s original ending, which have generated discussion among fans of the source material. The film stars Cooper Hoffman and David Jonsson.
The Long Walk is now streaming on HBO Max.
•Featured image credit: Murray Close/Lionsgate