Stephen King, the prolific and celebrated horror author, is known for his sincerity, and he made this clear in a recent magazine for The Time UK. The author once again attacked a massive film genre: superhero movies.

His main criticism focuses on what he perceives as a dishonest and almost “pornographic” portrayal of violence. King compared the sterile approach of major franchises like the Marvel Cinematic Universe and DC Studios to the uncompromising brutality he demanded for the adaptation of his 1979 novel, 'The Long Walk' (written under the pseudonym Richard Bachman).

“If you watch these superhero movies, you'll see some supervillain who destroys entire city blocks, but you never see any blood,” King stated. "And that's wrong. It's almost pornographic."

For the author, if violence is central to the narrative, it must be shown in all its consequences. This was the non-negotiable condition he imposed for the adaptation of 'The Long Walk'.

He stated that it was important to him because viewers had to “see teenagers getting shot.” The result, according to King, is a “pretty brutal movie” that doesn't shy away from the rawness of its source material.

The grueling journey of 'The Long Walk'

The film, which hits theaters September 12, adapts the dystopian story of an annual competition in which 50 teenagers volunteer for an endless walk.

The only rule is to maintain a pace of 4.8 km/h (3 mph). Those who fail are eliminated… literally. Only one winner remains.

The filming process was as demanding as the story itself. The actors didn't simulate the walk; they lived it.

Tut Nyuot, who plays competitor Arthur, said in an interview: "We walked, we really walked. It's something I don't think has ever been done, just being in constant motion."

Garrett Wareing, who plays Stebbins, kept track of the physical feat: "We were all walking, except for the crew members, between eight and fifteen miles a day. What's that? 25,000 to 30,000 steps?"

This physical immersion was key to capturing the grueling mental and physical reality of the characters.

The film's brutality is such that a graphic death scene had to be cut from the clip shown at this year's San Diego Comic-Con, proof that the film delivers on the gritty vision King demanded.

The Long Walk, starring an ensemble cast that includes Mark Hamill and Judy Greer, promises to be as intense a cinematic challenge for audiences as filming it was for the actors. King, for his part, has already given his approval to this merciless walk.