Overview

• Early write-ups cite a near-perfect 94% Rotten Tomatoes critics’ score following preview screenings.
• King says he told filmmakers to show real consequences of killing, calling the result “a pretty brutal movie.”
• The story follows a televised contest where boys must keep a 3 mph pace or face execution, with one winner remaining.
• Francis Lawrence, known for The Hunger Games films, directs from JT Mollner’s script with a focus on stark realism.
• Cooper Hoffman and David Jonsson lead a cast that includes Mark Hamill, with critics praising performances and emotional impact.