Even though the next Hunger Games movie isn’t due until next fall, Hollywood is having a moment with dystopian book adaptations – especially of the Stephen King variety. As someone who’s only really been exposed to the King of Horror through his more straight-laced horror properties like It, Carrie and The Shining, I’ve been intrigued by his entries into the genre, through 2025 movie releases, The Long Walk and The Running Man – the latter coming out in November. I’m a longtime fan of the Hunger Games movies after being into the books first, most of which The Long Walk director Francis Lawrence helmed, so I thought I’d be able to stomach The Long Walk easily.
Wow, I was wrong. It’s no secret Stephen King is hardcore, and I’d heard The Long Walk novel was a particularly rough one, even for King’s biggest fans, but now that I’ve seen the movie critics are praising, boy, do I get it. Let’s talk about my experience.
