An actor’s reaction to The Long Walk proves that it is one of Stephen King’s most haunting and grounded tales of a slow-burning psychological horror wrapped in the guise of a compeтιтion. Francis Lawrence’s film adaptation of the 1979 novel is gearing up to be one of the most exciting films of the year, releasing on September 12.
Starring names such as Cooper Hoffman, David Jonsson, Garret Wareing, and Mark Hamill, The Long Walk follows a group of young men in a ᴅᴇᴀᴅly last-man-standing annual walking contest. Now, with the movie releasing in less than two weeks, one of The Long Walk‘s stars opens up about just how powerful and disturbing the final product turned out to be.
In an exclusive interview with ScreenRant, The Long Walk star Judy Greer shared her raw, unfiltered reaction after seeing the completed Francis Lawrence film for the first time. Greer blatantly stated, “I’m so f***ed up” after watching the dystopian horror thriller, admitting she was left visibly shaken. Check out Greer’s full comment below:
I watched the movie yesterday for the first time, and I’m so f***ed up. I came home in a daze, and my husband’s like, ‘Do you want to go for a walk?’ And I’m like, ‘Yeah, I think I need to go for a walk.’ Which is ironic, but it actually did help clear my head.
Greer also reflected on just what struck her most deeply: the moment when the youthful idealism of the main characters in the film collides with their brutal reality. Greer stated: “You see the beautiful energy of youth and […] belief in something bigger than us… until things get real, and then they start to question everything.“
She also praised the film’s storytelling, applauding writer JT Mollner and Lawrence, saying: “I was so moved by how powerful the story is in its simplicity.“ Greer also added what the lack of exposition meant to her: “I felt so respected by the filmmakers, honestly, as an audience member – even though I’m in it. That doesn’t often happen anymore.”
What Judy Greer’s Reaction To The Long Walk Means
Greer’s visceral reaction speaks volumes about the emotional weight of The Long Walk. Her description suggests a film that doesn’t just entertain, but one that lingers. For fans of the novel, that’s an encouraging sign that the adaptation is staying true to the spirit of King’s story — bleak, introspective, and deeply human — without straying into typical dystopian spectacle.
Known for both comedy and drama roles, Greer has a wide range, but this may be one of her rawest performances yet, as her emotional investment clearly goes beyond the screen. If her reaction is any indication, The Long Walk will challenge viewers as much as it moves them, and that’s exactly what a great Stephen King adaptation should do.
Our Take On Judy Greer’s Reaction To The Long Walk
Judy Greer being “so f***ed up” by her own movie might be the most honest endorsement we’ve seen in a while, and it’s exactly the kind of reaction you want from a story like The Long Walk. Dystopian thrillers should go beyond just action, and it sounds like The Long Walk is a film that really makes you think.
Therefore, if The Long Walk captures even half of the emotional punch Greer describes, fans are in for one of the most faithful and affecting King adaptations to date. Consequently, between Greer’s performance and the apparent trust placed in the audience by the filmmakers, The Long Walk could very well walk its way into modern classic territory.
