Podcast Summary: The Dr. Laura Podcast

Episode: Movie Review: The Long Walk

Host: Dr. Laura Schlessinger
Date: February 17, 2026

Episode Overview

This episode of The Dr. Laura Podcast features a thoughtful and candid review of the film adaptation of Stephen King's "The Long Walk." Dr. Laura dives into the film’s dystopian premise, discusses the psychological impact of extreme situations on young characters, and reflects on the bleakness and morality at the core of King’s work. The conversation explores themes of hardship, survival, and the importance of relationships amid brutality.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Introduction to "The Long Walk"

• [01:44–02:07]
  Dr. Laura starts by sharing her mixed feelings about "The Long Walk," noting its quality and source material:
  • The story is a dystopian take written by Stephen King (as Richard Bachman).
  • She observes:

    "The original book is by Stephen King, which means kids get killed."
    (Dr. Laura, 01:51)

2. Dystopia, Violence, and Social Commentary

• [02:09–04:09]
  Dr. Laura situates "The Long Walk" among King's earlier, darker works:
  • Clarifies that these "bleak, dark" novels came during an era in which King explored authoritarianism and social collapse.
  • She draws a parallel to "bread and circuses" from ancient Rome, suggesting the spectacle of violence in dystopia is used for social control.
  • Key quote:

    "Blood and guts to pacify like ancient Rome. Blood and guts to motivate the terrified populace. Blood and circuses."
    (Dr. Laura, 02:38)

3. The Film’s Premise & Mechanics

• [07:06–08:46]
  Dr. Laura explains how the film’s central event works:
  • Each year, one adolescent male from every state is forced to walk, maintaining a pace of at least three miles an hour.
  • Deviations or slowing down result in warnings; three infractions mean instant death via gunshot.
  • She expresses her shock at this brutality:

    "I'm sitting there going, what? What just happened? Holy shit. Oh my God, no."
    (Dr. Laura, 07:39)

  • The "winner" is the last surviving boy; 49 others are guaranteed to die.

4. Character Development & Relationships

• [08:46–09:52]
  • Dr. Laura is drawn to the evolution of relationships among the boys, especially between a spiritual Black teen and a "country bumpkin."
  • Highlights the nuanced backstories and resilience in the face of bleakness.
  • Notable insight:

    "It's them dealing with where they come from in their heads and hearts, plus being compassionate or not about the kids who were dropping behind. So it's powerful. Which made me sit in that chair until it was over."
    (Dr. Laura, 08:53)

5. Comparison to Stephen King’s Other Endings & Adaptation Choices

• [06:36–07:06]
  • Observes that the film’s ending deviates from King’s original conclusion—possibly for the better.
  • Recognizes that "a smiley ending" would undermine King’s core style.

6. Reflections on Modern vs. Classic Cinema

• [09:54–10:04]
  • Dr. Laura expresses love for older films and slower storytelling, suggesting modern audiences might lack patience for reflective cinema:

    "I still love the old movies. I spend a lot of time on retro films channel. I love that."
    (Dr. Laura, 09:54)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Stephen King's Style

  "Before Stephen King wrote so-called horror books, he wrote novels dystopian in nature. In the 70s and 80s, he used a pseudonym, Richard Bachman. These were bleak, dark works."
  (Dr. Laura, 02:17)

• On watching violence as spectacle

  "Blood and circuses. So what they do every year, they do a long walk where they take one adolescent teenage male from each state. No females. Frankly, I was a little grateful for that."
  (Dr. Laura, 02:40)

• On the core of the film

  "It shifts into relationships. So, yup, I wanted to watch that. Especially these two kids..."
  (Dr. Laura, 08:08)

• On modern film pace

  "Which means you can't watch movies from the 1950s because you're used to boom, boom, boom, boom, boom, boom. Things blowing up and short quarter of a concept."
  (Dr. Laura, 09:46)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• (01:44–02:07): Introduction to the film and King’s penchant for child characters in danger
• (02:09–04:09): Dystopian context, King’s literary style, and film’s setup
• (07:06–08:46): Plot mechanics, rules of the Walk, and Dr. Laura’s reaction to the violence
• (08:46–09:52): Character details, relationships under pressure, core emotional arc
• (09:54–10:04): Reflections on film pacing and nostalgia for classics

Tone & Recommendations

Dr. Laura’s tone is candid, analytical, and thoughtful, blending shock at the film’s violence with appreciation for its philosophical and psychological depth. She is especially moved by the focus on relationships and resilience amid horror, and ultimately recommends the film to those with a taste for thought-provoking, character-driven dystopia.

Summary:
This episode provides a stark, insightful, yet non-sensationalistic exploration of "The Long Walk." Dr. Laura’s review balances empathy, critique, and personal reflection, making it a compelling listen for both King fans and those interested in how harsh fictional worlds reveal the strength or weakness of the human spirit.