The Long Walk’s powerful ending is its biggest and most important change from the novel

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The Long Walk ending spoilers follow.

Finishing off projects can be challenging, and this struggle is a universal feeling among writers, regardless of whether they’re novelists, screenwriters, or playwrights. So, it’s quite surprising when two distinct endings – in the original source and its adaptation – both turn out to be exceptional on their own merits.

Stephen King’s inaugural novel, “The Long Walk” (initially published as Richard Bachman), along with its 2025 film adaptation, successfully bring his storytelling prowess to life.

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The fundamental idea of the story is quite dramatic yet straightforward: In this narrative, America experiences a totalitarian takeover. One hundred boys from various parts of the country decide to join the titled march, which requires them to walk continuously until exhaustion. Each participant receives three warnings prior to being shot if they cannot keep up.

In a unique turn of events, there’s only one person who will walk away with an abundance of wealth beyond measure and a single wish granted. Among the primary characters, Ray Garraty interacts with numerous boys, approximately ten playing significant roles in the storyline. However, none hold as much importance as Pete McVries.

In a similar vein, Francis Lawrence’s film adaptation titled “The Long Walk” features Cooper Hoffman portraying Garraty and David Jonsson taking on McVries. While there are numerous alterations made to Stephen King’s original text, perhaps the most significant modification lies in the reworking of the ending.

Numerous readings of the novel’s conclusion have emerged ever since its publication in 1979. In this climactic scene, McVries unwittingly dozes off while walking and comes close to straying from the road, but Garraty intervenes, thereby defying the agreement that all remaining survivors would cease aiding each other.

Following the event, McVries kept his initial pledge as he grew weary and chose to rest instead. When his alarms ceased, he reluctantly accepted whatever lay ahead.

Overwhelmed by McVries’ passing, I found myself contemplating surrender. Yet, when I attempted to share my decision with Stebbins, the last of the walkers, he unexpectedly fell lifeless. The Major, our guide for this journey, tried to celebrate my departure, but I spotted the ominous figure that had been pushing me all along and pursued it relentlessly, believing there was still so much more ground to cover.

The depiction serves as a catalyst for various interpretations. Many view it as symbolizing death, encouraging Garraty to persist until the boy, who had been walking continuously for days, finally found the determination to run.

Many people (including this author) think that The Walkin’ Dude, better known as Randall Flagg, is consistently present across Stephen King’s works. Some others believe it could be the spirit of McVries that motivates Garraty to persevere or even the combined spirits of all the boys who have taken the walk throughout the years.

The Long Walk” serves as a fictional portrayal of a United States, designed to reflect our societal truths in a startlingly direct manner. It acts as both a warning and a deterrent against venturing too deeply into certain paths. However, in the year 2025, this reflection seems less metaphorical and more like a literal reflection of America itself.

Due to these changes in JT Mollner’s script, The Long Walk has been updated and modernized in an unexpected way, especially considering the strong ending of the original story. In 1979, it served as a warning; however, by 2025, it’s no longer a warning but rather a call to action.

In the film adaptation, Garraty and McVries experience significant alterations from their original characters. Their homosexuality is portrayed in a more overt and humorous manner, rather than subtly implied as in the source material. Interestingly, the character of Jan, Garraty’s girlfriend, is removed from the story, with her role being reassigned to his mother, played by Judy Greer.

McVries is a powerful catalyst, often tailoring his speeches to reflect the unique struggles and resilience of an African-American man in America, along with the tenacious optimism rooted in faith in solidarity and relentless perseverance. On the other hand, Garraty exhibits a compulsive nature, willing to destroy everything if it means he can kill The Major (Mark Hamill).

But, the key change here is that their fates are completely swapped.

McVries settles down with resolve, planning to conclude matters in a way that allows his companion to live and seek vengeance. However, in the film, Garraty manages to pull his friend up and compel him to continue moving forward.

He continues to walk, convinced that his friend is with him despite his exhausted state. However, by the time he discovers otherwise, Garraty has already been shot. Notably, Stebbins meets his end in a rebellious act against The Major, his father, before either of them. (In this rephrased version, Stebbins dies defiantly against his father.)

Afterwards, McVries turns to The Major and expresses his desire for a firearm – a request identical to Garraty’s initial one. He seizes the weapon, points it at The Major, and fires upon him. This transpires after The Major informs his troops that the youth wouldn’t dare put everything on the line and make the shot.

Upon the Major collapsing onto the ground, McVries spins about and continues his journey along the road, muttering about the distance yet to be covered. On this particular occasion, however, there’s no ominous presence in sight. This time, the soldiers choose not to impede him.

In the closing scenes of the film, it appears that McVries goes against what he’s been advocating throughout – the idea that revenge has too great a price. However, Garraty asserts that he is enacting change, not just seeking vengeance. Yet, in reality, he is deceiving both himself and his friend, while this deception does not seem to apply to McVries.

In the interpretation of Mollner’s ending in ‘The Long Walk’, it’s clear that trying to overcome a totalitarian system by becoming part of it is futile. The oppressive rule persists as long as the journey, or struggle, endures.

While we may never be able to confirm that the death of The Major, responsible for the murder of numerous boys and many other citizens opposed to him, directly leads to the downfall of his regime, it’s important to note that this scenario doesn’t imply endorsement for violent actions such as taking up arms and targeting the source of all wickedness. Instead, it could symbolize the potential impact of eliminating oppressive figures, even if other factors ultimately contribute to the collapse of their regime.

Rather than McVries’ intention being merely to tell a story, it is more accurately described as a tribute to his fallen comrades and an expression of deep respect for them. Simultaneously, the narrative serves to convey a profoundly significant lesson.

In Stephen King’s book “The Long Walk,” the sentiment expressed in the title – that there is still much ground to cover – is often perceived as desolate and hopeless among critics. However, contrary to this general viewpoint, these phrases instead evoke a sense of resilience and determination within the narrative of the story itself.

In the narrative, McVries devotes much of his effort towards aiding Garraty grasp the true nature of advancement. He fulfills Garraty’s wish by eliminating The Major, but, as he confided in his friend when discussing the plan, McVries is well aware that this act cannot be the culmination.

A common misunderstanding about hope is that it’s a weak and feeble emotion that can be easily defeated. On the contrary, hope is resilient. It’s persistent and built on determination. It’s about taking one step at a time when it seems virtually impossible to move forward.

Due to the narrative style, “The Long Walk” portrays the phrase “there’s still so far to walk” not as a lament of despair, but rather as an inspiring call-to-arms. It subtly conveys a message: regardless of whether you triumph or fail, what truly counts is your determination to fight on.

The Long Walk is out now in cinemas.

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2025-09-12 19:24