The Shining: A Horror Masterpiece or a Disastrous Adaptation?

Stephen King adaptations encompass a significant portion of both remarkable and disappointing horror films throughout history, offering a blend of extremely accurate and significantly divergent interpretations. For every masterpiece like Misery or IT, there’s a Graveyard Shift, Thinner, or even an entire Children of the Corn franchise. Stanley Kubrick’s The Shining falls into the middle ground, initially adhering to King’s 1977 novel’s fundamental concept before veering off on a chilling journey that, however, strays far from its original source material.

As a movie enthusiast, I found myself drawn into “The Shining,” a chilling tale that follows the Torrance family – Jack, Wendy, and their son Danny – as they embark on a winter season caretaking job at the secluded Colorado resort, The Overlook Hotel. Initially, Jack, a former teacher with dreams of writing, is thrilled by the opportunity for solitude to fuel his creative pursuits, while Wendy, ever mindful of their strained relationship due to Jack’s past struggles with alcoholism, sees it as an opportunity to reconnect as a family.

However, the idyllic setting soon reveals itself to be anything but peaceful. The hotel appears to harbor a sinister force that slowly begins to infiltrate the Torrance family’s stay, transforming their quiet retreat into a haunting nightmare.

The Shining’s Numerous Plot Diversions Make Its Runtime Harder To Justify

Kubrick’s Streamlined Approach Is Still A Frustrating One

Over the past 45 years, Stanley Kubrick’s movie “The Shining” has often been criticized by Stephen King fans and even the author himself for the numerous alterations made from the original novel. Considering how vast the book is, it’s understandable that adapting it into a full-length film necessitated some adjustments. However, since Kubrick’s version runs for 144 minutes, featuring lengthy scenes of characters wandering through the Overlook Hotel corridors, these changes can become increasingly irritating as time passes.

In the novel, Jack’s slow slip into insanity is more gripping because it’s primarily driven by his exploration of the Overlook Hotel’s haunted past, making him vulnerable to its influence in subsequent sections. On the other hand, in the movie, Kubrick methodically delves into this descent into madness, but it seems less justified. It appears that Kubrick aimed to portray The Shining as a study of cabin fever rather than something explicitly supernatural, despite some scenes lacking a reasonable explanation.

In the movie adaptation of “The Shining,” I found that several characters fell short of their fully fleshed-out selves as they appeared in Stephen King’s novel. It seemed as though Wendy and Danny’s roles underwent a significant transformation, possibly due to Stanley Kubrick’s apprehension regarding the actors’ capacity to convincingly embody their literary counterparts. Moreover, Dick Hallorann appears primarily to clarify Danny’s Shining abilities for the audience, only to meet an untimely demise. Despite his rich backstory and further development in both the 1977 novel and its sequel, “Doctor Sleep,” Hallorann’s role in the film feels limited to this single purpose.

Kubrick’s Remarkable Grip On Atmosphere Largely Makes Up For Its Narrative Foibles

Skillful Direction & A Haunting Score Keep Us Grounded In Terror

Although the movie’s innovative alterations may lead to perplexing plot decisions, it’s difficult to dispute that one reason The Shining stands as a horror masterpiece is due to Kubrick’s remarkable filmmaking. Collaborating with cinematographer John Alcott, they create intriguing visual aspects in the movie, effectively placing us within the Torrances’ experience at the Overlook Hotel and conveying just how unsettling an empty building of such grandeur can be.

One standout demonstration of the movie’s striking visual aesthetic continues to be the numerous journeys through the Overlook Hotel’s corridors. Whether it’s Danny pedaling his tricycle or Jack aimlessly wandering, encounters like those with the Grady twins and struggles against writer’s block respectively, Kubrick and Alcott skillfully animate these scenes without allowing the cinematography to overshadow the stunning hotel set design.

One significant factor that continues to make “The Shining” a chilling viewing experience is the captivating soundtrack composed by Wendy Carlos and Rachel Elkind. These musicians, who previously collaborated with Kubrick on “A Clockwork Orange”, effectively enhance the eerie ambiance of the film. From the haunting blend of electronic synthesizers and deep trombone in the opening track to the spine-tingling sounds during the film’s most frightening scenes, Carlos and Elkind skillfully convey the cold, icy atmosphere of the Overlook Hotel as well as its supernaturally tense environment.

Strong Performances Keep The Shining Afloat, Despite 1 Glaring Miscast

Shelley Duvall Haters Can Be Damned

In my opinion, while a powerful plotline can effectively hold viewers captivated within a horror flick, an exceptional cast is equally vital. Thankfully, Stanley Kubrick skillfully gathered a talented ensemble for his masterpiece, The Shining. Though the alterations to her character made Wendy seem less resilient, Shelley Duvall managed to shine even in challenging circumstances. Her portrayal of Wendy might have been our emotional tether within the film, offering a relatable depiction that resonated with many – much like someone who has endured a history of domestic abuse, striving for peace while unwaveringly caring for her child.

Among the actors in “The Shining,” Jack Nicholson as Jack Torrance stands out as a character who leaves me divided. Similar to Duvall, Nicholson gives a powerful performance as we witness Jack’s transformation into insanity. However, due to his portrayal of a family man, he seems ill-suited for the role. From the journey to the hotel with Wendy and Danny through to the film’s conclusion, it’s hard to believe that he genuinely cares for them, which makes his descent less shocking and more predictable.

The Shining is available to stream on Max and Prime Video.

2025-05-24 00:08