Garrett Wareing on the new Stephen King movie, The Long Walk, the emotional toll of filming, and the unforgettable bond with his costars.
Stephen King is a master of horror, but his true genius lies in his ability to dissect the human condition under extreme duress. His 1979 dystopian novel, The Long Walk, is a perfect example. Published under the pseudonym Richard Bachman, the book follows a group of 100 teenage boys who enter an annual contest known as “The Long Walk.” The rules are simple yet brutal: walk at a minimum of four miles per hour without stopping.
If a participant slows down, they receive a warning. Three warnings, and they get their “ticket,” which is a euphemism for being shot dead on the spot. Only one boy can win, and the reward is anything he wants for the rest of his life. The film adaptation of this relentless and harrowing story is finally here, and it’s a gut punch that stays with you long after the credits roll.
Mama’s Geeky had the privilege of sitting down with Garrett Wareing, who plays the mysterious and complex character Stebbins. In this interview, we dive into the emotional and physical toll of filming such an arduous movie, the incredible camaraderie formed on set, and what it’s like to bring a beloved Stephen King story to life. Wareing shares his insights on his character’s hidden motivations, the film’s deeper themes of companionship and mortality, and the powerful, haunting moments that define the movie.
The Gut Punch of a Stephen King Adaptation
Mama’s Geeky: I was lucky enough when I went into my screening, I was sitting next to a friend, and she was a big fan of the book before the movie. And her and I were both just crying throughout the last half of this movie.
Garrett Wareing: Believe me, I was in the same boat. I still am. It sits with you. It’s this gut punch, and it just, it sits in your stomach and it really sits with you after you leave. It makes you think about life and companionship and appreciating what you have while you have it. I’m so glad that you felt the same way.
Mama’s Geeky: I had just finished the book. I was like, I haven’t read this one yet. I love dystopian horror. It’s my number one favorite thing. I was like, don’t know how I’ve never heard of this one before. I had just read it while I was in San Diego for Comic-Con in July.
Garrett Wareing: Right. I was there for The Long Walk as well. We did a panel at Hall H and—
Mama’s Geeky: Oh yeah, I was there for that one. You were there? Oh, of course. I was so— Really cool life moment. I was like, how did I get here?
Garrett Wareing: I know. And it was my first time doing San Diego Comic-Con. So I’m like, oh my God, I’m in Hall H. I get to see one of my most anticipated movies, and we got to see like the little sneak peek of it, and that really sold me. I was like, I was already excited for this movie, but seeing like the sneak peek that they gave us, I was like, I don’t think people are going to be ready for what they’re going to feel after they see this movie. Because that’s one of my main takeaways too, is that, like you said, it kind of like sticks with you. And if you read the book, the book is so incredibly just heavy and like foreboding and the movie—
Mama’s Geeky: Relentless. Relentless. And that’s been one of my questions, too, is, you know, how was it filming this? Because it truly does feel like arduous and relentless. Like you really are walking, like there really is a feeling to it.
Garrett Wareing: It was relentless, and it was beautiful, and it was, it taught me a lot, and it was cathartic, and it was difficult. In every way, it was perfect. It was what it was. And what you see on screen is all true. I mean, both from the camaraderie and the companionship to the emotions and the pain and the way that we’re walking. I mean, that’s all, that’s all true. And to be able to walk alongside these boys whom I love and respect and who are so talented in this film and who just steal the show and to me amongst their ranks is just a joy. And the fact that, I know I already said it, but the fact that people have responded so positively to this hard work that we put in is really affirming.
The Brutal Objective of Stebbins
Mama’s Geeky: And it’s all of you guys are fantastic. I personally love your character. I kind of liked that he was, he was there. He, what he brought was he really, I feel like he really rounded out like the group that we had and then, you know, without giving anything away, there’s like a twist for him towards the end. So, you know, without giving anything away about any of that, like, did you use that twist to kind of like help build your character?
Garrett Wareing: Oh my God. Yes. I mean, that’s his objective and getting into the walk to begin with, you know, everybody has their reasons for getting in, but I think Stebbins’ is a brutal one. And, you know, this realization that he experiences during that kind of monologue, realizing that maybe all of this was just in his head and none of this was true and how heartbreaking that is, this fantasy that he had built up and releasing that. And, you know, that is the core of everything. Receiving my dog tag from the major and, you know, when they’re all shouting, “The Long Walk!” you know, that it’s all rooted within this reason for being a part of a walk. This is the primary objective that you’re playing.
Finding Companionship on the Walk of Life
Mama’s Geeky: It’s coming out at a very interesting time. I feel like I’ve been saying movies are coming out at really prescient times a lot recently, but like, in today’s world, it really is kind of like, how far are we away really from something like that? So how is that kind of feeling to it?
Garrett Wareing: You know, it makes you think about our place in this world. And for me, it was more so about like the temporal nature of things in life and how everything is temporary and everything ends. And the idea that like, you know, we can appreciate what we have while we have it, even though we know it’s going to end. And I think it’s a beautiful story about companionship and loving those around you. And I think Stebbins is a core player in that and the idea of you go into something with one thing and you’re allowing yourself to be changed. I believe that we all are on the long walk of life together and finding companionship and finding beauty throughout that, I think is really beautiful. McVries has a monologue where he says, “Brother, I’ve been walking my whole life.” And, you know, choose joy. “You see that rainbow? That is joy.” Follow this, you know, and even in sad, hard times, I think that if we can find the companionship and find the joy, that’s what gets us through this long walk of life.
The Traumatic Bond of Filming
Mama’s Geeky: That’s one thing that always fascinates me with, you know, this sexual like this work is everything is ephemeral. It’s not like a normal job where you’re like, “Oh, I can know my coworkers for like, five, ten years, whatever.” It’s like, you have a job, you make all these friends, and then you’re done. And then maybe you’ll stay in touch.
Garrett Wareing: And you hope you will. And with a movie like this, it’s like, yeah, you all probably did trauma bond. And I hope that bond kind of like goes further than like, we woke up to 100% on Rotten Tomatoes today. And I sent the screenshot to the text, the group chat. And I was just like, “Congratulations, boys, we did it.” And it’s true. Like we walked the long walk together. And without them, it wouldn’t have been the same.
Mama’s Geeky: And it genuinely, from my perspective, from like several other people that I know, like it’s one of the best adaptations of Stephen King that they’ve done.
Garrett Wareing: I will wear that with like a badge of honor. And if we’re amongst the of, of Misery and Carrie, I’m a happy boy.
Mama’s Geeky: What do you want people to kind of take away from this when they see it?
Garrett Wareing: I think that I want people to take away the fact that we are all one. And we were all together walking this this long walk of life. And you can choose to be with your walls up, or you can choose to find companionship. And I think if you watch Stebbins throughout the film, he leans in with the walls up. And then by the end, he’s he’s he’s accepting the companionship. And I think if we if we take something away from that from this film, it’s it’s that.
Mama’s Geeky: I love that. Yeah, it really, it really is companionship. I hope people I hope people read it after they see it, especially considering it’s a little different than the book.
Garrett Wareing: How cool. No. Yeah, I think I think fans of the book are in for a treat when in regards to what we’re both talking about right now. Yes. And I know, I know someone was like, I think I think it’s like one of my friends talked to JT Molnarum. He was like, “See the movie before you read the book.” If you haven’t read the book. But I was like, I have to read the book before I see the movie. And my jaw was just dropped. I encourage people. I think the book should be read first and then see the movie. That’s how I felt.
Mama’s Geeky: Well, thank you so much for talking to me. You were so great. Everybody was so great. The 100% Rotten Tomatoes is beyond served. So I’m just excited for more people to see this movie and for you to be able to see more reactions. I I’m going to a fan screening tonight. This will be the first like kind of live reaction that I’ll be able to get to witness.
Garrett Wareing: I think you’re gonna be in for a treat. I have a hard time speaking after the fact. It really kind of gets me in my gut. So I hope everybody enjoys the film. They’re all gonna leave and they’re just gonna be like heads down just like that’s how I’m… I have to like sit and like let the credits roll and like sit there and just like what just what happened marinate in my bones.
The Long Walk comes to theaters September 12th. Watch the full video interview for more behind-the-scenes details.