All the major differences between The Long Walk book and film – including major plot twist

The Long Walk came out this past weekend, and it’s already getting really good reviews. The film features a mostly unknown cast of up-and-coming actors who are being praised for their performances, especially the main stars David Johnson and Cooper Hoffman. Although it’s based on a Stephen King novel with the same name, there are loads of surprising differences between the book and film.

The age requirement for the walk was changed

In the film, all of the participants are supposed to be at least 18 years old. When the other walkers meet Curly, who obviously looks a lot younger than them, they make fun of him and say he’s lying about being 18. But in the book, all of the boys are aged 13 to 18.  Director Francis Lawrence also directed most of The Hunger Games films, so he’s no stranger to stories about kids dying.

Raymond Garraty’s girlfriend was completely removed

When he’s walking with Peter, Raymond briefly mentions a girlfriend he had to break up with because of the walk. In the book, Raymond and his girlfriend Jan are still together. He looks forward to seeing her when they walk through his hometown. A similar scene happens in the film, except it’s with Raymond’s mum instead.

Peter McVrues’ family background was changed

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During an emotional heart-to-heart, Peter tells Raymond he got his scar from a fight on the street. He opens up about the death of his parents and uncle, which left him homeless.This sympathetic story is entirely different in the book, as both Pete’s parents are still alive and his scar comes from a physical fight with his girlfriend. Not so wholesome.

The number of walkers was reduced by half

For Raymond, the already slim odds of winning The Long Walk are even smaller in the book. Instead of 50 participants there’s 100 boys to beat. This also means the detail about each boy representing a state isn’t in the book.

The ending was entirely different

Raymond tells Peter his plan to use his wish to murder the Major in the tense final act of The Long Walk film. When he sacrifices himself to let Peter win, Peter carries out his wish and kills the Major, before walking off into the darkness. But in the book, this assassination plot doesn’t exist, and Peter doesn’t even make it to the final two.

Instead, Peter decides to sit down and is killed, leaving behind Stebbins and Raymond. Stebbins suddenly dies mid-walk and leaves Raymond as the winner.

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Featured image via Lionsgate Films