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.
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.
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!
This is the right blog for anyone who wants to find out about this topic. You realize so much its almost hard to argue with you (not that I actually would want…HaHa). You definitely put a new spin on a topic thats been written about for years. Great stuff, just great!
I have read a few good stuff here. Certainly worth bookmarking for revisiting. I wonder how much effort you put to create such a great informative web site.
Hello! This is kind of off topic but I need some guidance from an established blog. Is it tough to set up your own blog? I’m not very techincal but I can figure things out pretty quick. I’m thinking about making my own but I’m not sure where to start. Do you have any tips or suggestions? Many thanks
I think this site holds some very superb info for everyone :D. “Years wrinkle the skin, but to give up enthusiasm wrinkles the soul.” by Samuel Ullman.
A person necessarily lend a hand to make seriously posts I might state. This is the first time I frequented your website page and thus far? I amazed with the analysis you made to create this actual submit amazing. Wonderful activity!
Thank you for the sensible critique. Me and my neighbor were just preparing to do a little research on this. We got a grab a book from our local library but I think I learned more from this post. I’m very glad to see such magnificent information being shared freely out there.
Attractive section of content. I just stumbled upon your weblog and in accession capital to assert that I get in fact enjoyed account your blog posts. Any way I’ll be subscribing to your feeds and even I achievement you access consistently quickly.
Hi I am so excited I found your webpage, I really found you by mistake, while I was looking on Digg for something else, Regardless I am here now and would just like to say thanks a lot for a tremendous post and a all round enjoyable blog (I also love the theme/design), I don’t have time to read through it all at the moment but I have book-marked it and also included your RSS feeds, so when I have time I will be back to read a lot more, Please do keep up the superb job.
Hello, Neat post. There’s an issue along with your web site in internet explorer, would check this?K IE still is the marketplace chief and a large component to other folks will leave out your wonderful writing due to this problem.
naturally like your web site but you have to take a look at the spelling on quite a few of your posts. Several of them are rife with spelling issues and I find it very troublesome to inform the truth then again I’ll certainly come again again.