BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) \u2014 This week, dystopian thriller \u201cThe Long Walk,\u201d directed by Francis Lawrence and based on the 1979 novel of the same name by Stephen King, released in theatres. On Friday, WIVB spoke with actor Judy Greer, who plays the main character\u2019s mother in the film, about her role and the film\u2019s production.<\/p>\n
https:\/\/anchor.fm\/s\/105cffc3c\/podcast\/rss<\/a><\/p>\n Greer said her preparation for the role consisted of reading the book to understand the film\u2019s plot and to know what to prepare for behind the scenes.<\/p>\n \u201cWith this, it was really all on the page,\u201d she said. \u2018I don\u2019t tend to make a lot of adjustments depending, you know, people ask me that a lot, like, \u2018Oh, is it different doing a comedy than a drama?\u2019 Well, obviously it is, but the tone is already set on set. I don\u2019t really have to rein it in or do anything different. I just have to tell the truth.\u201d<\/p>\n She said working with Cooper Hoffman, who plays her character\u2019s son in the film, did increase that challenge a bit, as they got along so well behind the scenes, that it made it harder for them to \u201crein it in\u201d sometimes.<\/p>\n The film, which follows 50 young men on a nonstop walk until there is only one man left standing, all while being followed by armed guards, has numerous heavy moments throughout, particularly one heartbreaking scene involving Greer about halfway through the film.<\/p>\n \u201cThat was a rough one,\u201d she said. \u201cI remember when we shot that, everyone at the video village watching the monitor was crying and people were \u2014 we were all really upset when we were shooting that scene. It was awful. It was a really hard \u2014 that was a tough one because I think of all the parents out there who have to say goodbye to their children and send them off to war, let\u2019s say, to a great unknown, and how do you function? How do you deal with that? How do you put on a tough face? Do you put on a tough face?\u201d<\/p>\n Despite the devastating nature of the film, Greer said Francis Lawrence, who also directed \u201cThe Hunger Games\u201d franchise, kept set light, which helped with the cast\u2019s communication, creativity, and ability to have fun.<\/p>\n \u201cI wasn\u2019t there as often as the boys, obviously, so they might have different answers,\u201d she said. \u201cBut I really feel like there is so much beauty and love and hope in this film.\u201d<\/p>\n Charlie Plummer as Barkovitch, Garrett Wareing as Stebbins, Cooper Hoffman as Garraty, David Jonsson as McVries, Ben Wang as Olson, Tut Nyuot as Baker, and Joshua Odjick as Parker in The Long Walk. Photo Credit: Murray Close\/Lionsgate<\/p>\n Though the film is set in a dystopian landscape, Greer noted that the relationships in the film also bring hope.<\/p>\n The film does a great job exploring the complexities of the relationships between young men who just met each other and know that their newly formed friendships won\u2019t last long. The men come to face their own mortality, as well as the others\u2019, all while dealing with hopes and dreams, friendship, sacrifice, and love. Additionally, \u201cThe Long Walk\u201d takes on the challenge of filming a constantly moving group of subjects, only standing still for a brief flashback scene.<\/p>\n Alongside Greer and Hoffman, the film also stars David Jonsson and Mark Hamill.<\/p>\n The full interview can be streamed at the top of this page or watched in the video player below.<\/p>\n Adam Duke is a digital contributor who joined\u00a0WIVB<\/a> in 2021. See more of his work\u00a0here<\/a>.<\/p>\n Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.<\/i><\/p>\n<\/span><\/div>\n