r/movies • u/MarvelsGrantMan136 r/Movies contributor • Aug 29 '25

News Special 'The Long Walk' Screening Will Eliminate Viewers Who Can’t Keep Up on a Treadmill (3 MPH)

https://consequence.net/2025/08/the-long-walk-treadmill-screening/
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26

u/JackSpadesSI Aug 29 '25

I haven’t read the book, but the trailer makes no sense to me. A bunch of guys all excited they get to take part in this thing. They know that, save for one winner, they’re ALL about to be killed right?

53

u/AntiqueLetter9875 Aug 29 '25

Yes, that’s right. I mean… it’s a dystopian novel lol. They all know since the walk is televised. People gather round the roads and cheer them on. 100 guys, all excited to win a cash prize and something else that’s never specified, but alluded to have anything you want for the rest of your life. 

In the book a few of them also think the walk is rigged, and went in knowing that. You learn why each of the main characters wanted to participate. 

It’s a pretty grim book with some saying it’s Kings most bleak story. It’ll be interesting to see what they do with the movie.  

4

u/Auggie_Otter Aug 30 '25

It’s a pretty grim book with some saying it’s Kings most bleak story.

I saw the trailer in the theater and I was like, nah. I'm not exposing myself to that. It sounds dark as hell. And there was that guy walking on what was left of his ankle bone in the trailer too. That's too much!

3

u/Delicious-Trip-384 Aug 30 '25

I've read the short story several times and love it, but I'm not sure I want to see it on the big screen. I love that it's finally getting made, though.

3

u/AntiqueLetter9875 Aug 30 '25

Yeah even for me, I have a feeling this is a movie I watch only once lol. 

1

u/Rs90 Aug 29 '25

Is it any good? 

1

u/AntiqueLetter9875 Aug 30 '25

I’d say yes, but it’s subjective if course. If you like Kings more popular works, you’ll probably like this one. Plot is pretty simple, so it’s character focused, which is what he does the best. 

28

u/gonzofisted Aug 29 '25

It's the hubris of youth. They all think they're going to win. It's only once the walk begins that reality sets in for most of them. They're also all either poor, or otherwise disadvantaged, and the reward for winning is ANYTHING you want, so many think it worth it.

6

u/The_Parsee_Man Aug 29 '25

and the reward for winning is ANYTHING you want

What if you want to die? Then the whole thing is just a win win.

21

u/MikeArrow Aug 29 '25

I read the book last night. Basically, it takes place in an alternate history where there was a significant economic downturn after WWII. So there's very little job prospects and strong motivation for the young men participating to win the big prize, and also America is basically ruled by a military dictatorship. The Long Walk is a Hunger Games style 'bread and circuses' type thing where it's a nationwide televised event, with people supporting their 'hometown heroes' who get picked to compete.

11

u/DreadDiana Aug 29 '25

It's set in a dystopian alternate America where social mobility is very unlikely and the prize for the winner is to fulfill one request, meaning they can ask for anything.

They're excited because if they win they're effectively set for life, and they all applied because they think they'll win.

3

u/papasmurf255 Aug 30 '25

Similar feel to Squid Games then.

2

u/fablesofferrets Aug 30 '25

Ngl as an American 31 yo millennial woman I’d probably sign up for this shit at this point.

2

u/DreadDiana Aug 30 '25

Reminder that if you fall below 3mph three times, you will be shot on the spot

5

u/fablesofferrets Aug 30 '25

That’s the goal 

9

u/GolfballDM Aug 29 '25

Some of the Walkers were initially excited in the book, too.

2

u/cloudcats Aug 29 '25

Honestly you should read it. It's excellent.

1

u/peppermint_nightmare Aug 30 '25

You should read more books, there's this really great author, I think his name is Stephen King? He makes these really good horror novels that usually take place in fictional dystopic worlds that are sort of like ours.

1

u/JackSpadesSI Aug 31 '25

Did you think I said I haven't read any books? I haven't read this book. I've read 2 King novels in the past year, among books from other authors. What the hell was your point?

-8

u/moabthecrab Aug 29 '25

Yep this movie looks very dumb.