The Long Walk (MA) – 107 minutes

A walk to the death. Think The Hunger Games on the road. That is the conceit behind the dystopian psychological thriller The Long Walk.

Written by JT Molner, it is based on the first book that Stephen King wrote.

Francis Lawrence, who directed four films in The Hunger Games franchise, is in the chair.

Nineteen years after civil war, the USA – now a totalitarian regime – is a shell of what it was, in economic ruin.

The only way for anyone to get ahead is via a lottery for teen boys.

Fifty are chosen annually to enter a televised event known as The Long Walk.

It has been designed by military leader The Major (Mark Hamill) to inspire patriotism and a work ethic among the destitute population.

The rules are simple: walk as far as you can without stopping and the last man standing is granted a wish and financial security.

The catch: any walker who falls below three miles per hour, or who stops, is given three warnings before being shot dead by soldiers accompanying the walk.

And there are no excuses, so that also means peeing and defecating on the road.

The main focus is on Raymond Garraty (Cooper Hoffman) and Peter McVries (David Jonsson), whom Ray befriends while preparing to start the challenge.

Having lost his father, Ray is very close to his mother, Ginnie (Judy Greer), who is desperate for him to pull out.

Both Ray and Peter have compelling back stories.

While the narrative is primarily about them, it spotlights several of the others in the field, including initially outspoken Hank Olson (Ben Wang).

We witness the participants physical and mental deterioration as the hundreds of miles pile up.

One by one, the boys fall by the wayside, until only the final two remain.

As a commentary on the destruction of the American dream, it is hard not to see parallels with present day USA.

It is a brutal and compelling tale of hardship and horror, characterised by a strong script.

It has been cleverly designed so that we – the audience – care more as we learn more about each of the lads.

Some are more likeable than others, but inevitably their respective ends are nasty.

As Ray, Cooper Hoffman is a decent and driven young man who carries a painful legacy.

As Peter, David Jonsson has had a rough upbringing, which would have broken most.

Judy Greer wears her heart on her sleeve as Ray's mother.

Director Lawrence keeps a tight rein on proceedings to ensure the revelations are drip fed.

He and the cast and crew make The Long Walk a trek worth taking from the comfort of cinema seats.

Rated MA, it scores an 8 out of 10.