The Major's Symbolism in The Long Walk Explained

Mark Hamill's villainous Major is perhaps the most important character in Francis Lawrence's The Long Walk when it comes to understanding the movie's true meaning. An adaptation of Stephen King's 1979 novel of the same name, The Long Walk chronicles a walking competition to the death that takes place in a twisted dystopian version of America .

Hamill's mysterious Major is present throughout the movie, almost lurking on the edges of the narrative, only popping in occasionally to remind the Walkers and the audience of his omnipresence. The ending of The Long Walk finally provides a big moment for The Major in what turns out to be one of the most significant departures from King's original novel .

The Major, who is never given a name in either the novel or the movie, has a p