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The Shining, directed by Stanley Kubrick and written by Stephen King, is one of the most extraordinary and controversial works of art that came on the list of innovative horror films. The movie revolves around the life of Jack Torrance, a writer, and his personal complications. Back in 1980, the film was released, showcasing the life of Jack as he accepts a winter caretaking position at the Overlook Hotel, quite far from civilization.
His family comes along with him for the long vacation, and he hopes that the peace will help him heal his current state of mind and mend his fractured family. That, however, is the surface-level plot. Above all, the beauty of the film, the intricate balance of psychological and supernatural horror equally blended, is what makes it stand out.
The hotel eerily depicts an empty void, now serves as a living being. Specialized frightful images begin to disturb the family, especially young Danny, who has the ability of "The Shining." It's apparent that Jack's outbursts are becoming more volatile by the day, and the reality hidden behind miles of the Overlook's glass facade becomes more sophisticated; something primal lurking within the walls is gnawing on the shreds of the family's dread and seclusion.
To many, Kubrick’s The Shining is viewed as a masterpiece of film for its unrivaled atmosphere, tension, and striking imagery. It's not without merit: it is perfectly paced, filled with dread, and magnificently lit. Nevertheless, it misses the mark of King’s novel, favoring the fragmented reflection of madness over the emotional heart it holds.
A slow-burn nightmare driven by visuals and mood
The Shining is a work of visual artistry. The long tracking shots of the hotel’s symmetrically orderly architecture, with its vast, maze-like halls, are captured with eerie precision. They make the viewer feel as if they’re trapped inside the building. The hotel’s silence, combined with the sparse dialogue and meticulous pacing, creates an atmosphere that is more claustrophobic than chaotic.
Another highlight of the film is its score by Wendy Carlos and Rachel Elkind. Even in The Shining’s quiet moments, dissonant melodies and eerie motifs transform everything into pure agony. Every scene comes with its own tension: from the quiet thump of Jack’s furious wall pacing to the soft brushing of Danny’s tricycle wheels against carpet and hardwood. The sound design, just like the visuals, is equally terror-inducing.
Every fear-inducing sound becomes part of the experience. This overwhelms the viewer’s senses, along with the film’s extended runtime, which adds to the unnerving sensation. Some scenes feel horrifically drawn out without resolution, but within the world of the film, it makes perfect sense. Kubrick is not telling a story; he is using slow, purposeful pacing to immerse the viewer in a meticulously engineered reality of unease designed to disturb.
Powerful performances, but not without controversy
As Wendy, Shelley Duvall expresses a profound and emotionally charged performance that showcases the delicacy of a woman trying to navigate the chaos of a disintegrating world. In the years since, her performance has been assessed as one of the most cruel and heartbreaking impressions of domestic abuse and surviving a violent relationship.
Jack Nicholson’s interpretation of Jack Torrance is as renowned as it is controversial. While some of the viewers absolutely adore the terrifying descent into madness Jack goes through, others remain faithful to the opinion that he starts the picture unhinged, which detracts from the reduction of his outcome's transformation—and, with it, the emotional core of his degradation, which in the book is crucial, significantly loses impact in the film.
Young Danny Lloyd deserves accolades for his portrayal of Danny, as his performance and Danny’s haunting yet understated demeanor are just as notable. The way he carries a childlike naivety alongside an unsettling reality makes him one of the most unforgettable characters in the film.
Final verdict on The Shining
This, for me, still deserves a 9/10⭐
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Fans of The Shining by King may be somewhat irritated. However, the film stands on its own as a masterpiece of disturbing psychological horror, drawing audiences in through its bone-chilling soundtrack paired with stunning cinematography, unique for its time. The few horror movies in the present day have ever come close to achieving. Rather than a superficial ghost story, The Shining is a deep dive into fatalistic violence, insanity, madness, and the existential dread of being alone.
The film's impact is undeniable, despite the bizarre casting decisions and character alterations. Stephen King’s works have been popularized time and time again, but The Shining has arguably embodied all of the author's worst fears blended into a disturbing yet frightful piece of stunning artwork, proving all too well that terror and beauty can indeed co-exist. It may not be the author’s vision of The Shining, but it is undoubtedly King’s The Shining, and it will forever mark the legacy of Kubrick, earning its spot as a timeless classic.
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