Stephen King Criticizes Superhero Movie Violence Ahead The Long Walk Release

Stephen King has sharply criticized the sanitized portrayal of violence in superhero films, describing it as "almost pornographic" due to the lack of realistic consequences such as blood and brutal outcomes. Speaking about his upcoming film adaptation of The Long Walk, King insisted that the film depict the graphic violence of teenagers being shot, rejecting the softened depiction common in superhero movies. The Long Walk, set in a dystopian America where young men compete in a deadly walking contest, embraces brutal realism, contrasting with the sanitized destruction typically seen in the Marvel and DC cinematic universes. King emphasized that if the film did not show the harsh realities of violence, it should not be made at all, resulting in a notably brutal movie that remains faithful to the tone of his novel. His critique extends beyond just his own work, highlighting a wider issue with how violence is glamorized yet sanitized in mainstream superhero entertainment. This stance also reflects King's long-standing commitment to presenting the darker, more human dimensions of violence and horror in cinema.