The Return of the Dystopian Genre

Photo from Pinterest.com

In an era where popular franchises like “Divergent” and “The Maze Runner” feel like a distant memory, the release of any dystopian film gains the attention of watchers almost immediately. 

On Sept. 12, “The Long Walk” made its way to the big screen. This film is based on the 1979 novel by Stephen King and immerses watchers into a nightmarish society.

Photo from Pinterest.com
The Long Walk

This film is set in a dystopian past, where watchers are placed into a society that has been controlled by a totalitarian military regime. It follows the lives of 50 boys who are faced with the controlling and unforgivable nature of this civilization.

With a note similar to the plot of “The Hunger Games,” the main characters of this film are randomly selected to participate in “the long walk.” Through this competition, these characters have the chance to completely change their lives with wealth and stability, but equally face the risk of death.

The challenge itself is a walking marathon, where each participant is made to walk at least three miles each hour. Falling behind has one immediate effect: death.

The film follows the challenges each participant encounters during this deadly experience, utilizing the concept of “the long walk” to cultivate commentary on greater societal issues. In exploring broader topics like economic disparity, dehumanization and the general desensitization to war and death, this film serves as a reflection on the world we currently live in. 

Photo from Pinterest.com
Dystopia as a Reality

The dystopian genre is one that has infiltrated the pages and screens of media consumers consistently encounter. In providing a window to live in a world that isn’t our own, this genre continues to fascinate readers and watchers through its immersive context.

At a time in which the line between reality and dystopia are gradually becoming more difficult to pinpoint, the dystopian genre becomes more difficult to portray. 

Totalitarianism, dehumanization and economic disparity are elements that many experience in present day society. Extreme versions of these ideas are found within the dystopian genre, yet are becoming more difficult for readers and watchers to find satisfaction within.

As a result, franchises like “The Hunger Games” continue to resurrect elements of a well-loved and positively perceived dystopia without facing the risk of desensitizing a reality many experience.

“The Long Walk” is a film that has been well received by the public as it is reminiscent of a genre so well perceived in the past. Yet, many viewers are left wondering if this genre is one that can be appropriately portrayed in a society that shares frightening similarities to a seemingly implausible fictional one.

Did you watch “The Long Walk”? Tag @VALLEYMag on Instagram and share your thoughts!

Related

468 Comments

  • Good day very nice blog!! Man .. Beautiful .. Wonderful .. I will bookmark your web site and take the feeds alsoKI am satisfied to seek out a lot of helpful info right here in the post, we’d like work out more strategies on this regard, thank you for sharing. . . . . .

  • reforma says:

    Attractive section of content. I simply stumbled upon your blog and in accession capital to claim that I acquire actually loved account your blog posts. Anyway I’ll be subscribing to your feeds and even I success you get right of entry to consistently rapidly.

  • It’s exhausting to search out knowledgeable people on this topic, but you sound like you know what you’re speaking about! Thanks

  • Hey, you used to write excellent, but the last few posts have been kinda boring?K I miss your tremendous writings. Past few posts are just a bit out of track! come on!

  • hello there and thank you for your info – I’ve definitely picked up anything new from right here. I did however expertise some technical issues using this web site, since I experienced to reload the site lots of times previous to I could get it to load properly. I had been wondering if your web host is OK? Not that I’m complaining, but slow loading instances times will very frequently affect your placement in google and can damage your high-quality score if ads and marketing with Adwords. Anyway I’m adding this RSS to my email and can look out for a lot more of your respective fascinating content. Ensure that you update this again very soon..

  • Thanks for pointing this out clearly.

  • Very interesting subject , thanks for posting.

  • Well I really enjoyed reading it. This subject provided by you is very helpful for accurate planning.

  • free dart says:

    Thanks for any other great post. The place else may anybody get that kind of information in such an ideal manner of writing? I have a presentation next week, and I’m on the search for such information.

  • I have to convey my admiration for your kind-heartedness in support of men who should have help with in this niche. Your real commitment to getting the message along was astonishingly productive and has usually empowered ladies like me to get to their objectives. Your own useful instruction can mean a lot to me and a whole lot more to my office workers. Best wishes; from everyone of us.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *