Many movies claim to subvert audiences' expectations; however, none can quite match the conviction or boldness of Mattie Do's The Long Walk. Not only does Laos' first and only women director find a unique and intriguing way to weave time-travel into a wispy and mysterious horror film -- an impressive feat in itself -- but she does so while delivering a harrowing meditation on grief. Written by her creative partner Christopher Larsen, The Long Walk is the first Lao film to screen in the U.S. -- and will leave audiences hungry for more.
The Long Walk is a film that works best not knowing too much about its premise to keep its central mystery alive. However, it's fair to say the film follows a young boy (Por Silatsa) who uncovers a dead body and invites a supernatural entity -- known as The Girl (Noutnapha Soydara) -- into his life. But as the film continues, an even darker threat reveals itself.
Set and filmed in central Laos, The Long Walk immerses the viewer in a lush rural setting juxtaposed against the fluorescents and "modernizations" left behind by NGOs. Seeing solar panels lined up against farmhouses lends an out-of-time element to the film, which supports its time travel premise while also authentically depicting the frustrations of Lao villagers in the real world. Do, in her words, wanted to use this film to call out "poverty porn" that so often depicts Lao people as one-note caricatures of humble ignorance. By the end of the film, Do and Larsen more than succeed in this aim as each character floats across the screen with intriguing depth and plenty of layered pain. As the saying goes, hurt people hurt people, and boy does this film lean into how much harm can be caused to soothe someone's pain.
Carrying much of the film's haunting heart is Lao hip-hop dancer Noutnapha Soydara, who conveys just how many colors of sorrow there are in a mere glance. Yannawoutthi Chanthalungsy's Old Man also provides a standout and terrifying performance. But the real treat is watching how these two characters play off of each other in unexpected ways.
While some audiences will pull out straws to poke holes in the time travel rules in The Long Walk, it's delightful to watch The Girl and The Old Man's long journey with each other and wonder what keeps them together. Their compelling connection smoothes over any lingering questions. For those still determined to map out the sci-fi aspects of The Long Walk, Do and director of photography Matthew Whitcomb Macar have provided plenty of visual color palette clues for the attentive viewer. This is not a film that cares about explaining rules. First and foremost, this is a character-focused film about what regrets make people do.
The Long Walk's creepy atmosphere is buoyed up by Alex Boyesen's naturalistic and minimal sound design mixed with Anthony Weeden's purposefully unsettling score. When the film hits its final and bittersweet note, it'll be hard not to want to hit play all over again. If you do, the depth and range of The Long Walk's look at cyclical violence will only land better. For anyone who's ever lost someone close to them, this film will give them a cathartic cry.
The Long Walk is out in U.S. theaters now and will be available on VOD on March 1.