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The Shining

Name: The Shining
Genre: Horror, Thriller
Released: 1980-05-23
Duration: 144 min
Rating: 8.2
Cast: Jack Nicholson, Shelley Duvall, Danny Lloyd, Scatman Crothers, Barry Nelson

19808144 min

HorrorThriller

Uitgebracht

23 mei 1980

Landen

United Kingdom, United States of America

Producties

Warner Bros. PicturesPeregrineHawk FilmsThe Producer Circle Co.

Jack Torrance accepteert een bewakingsbaan in het Overlook Hotel, waar hij samen met zijn vrouw Wendy en hun zoon Danny de winter in isolatie van de rest van de wereld moet leven. Maar ze zijn niet voorbereid op de waanzin die binnenin schuilt.

About

Quick guide

Stanley Kubrick’s 1980 horror thriller. A family caretaker struggles as isolation turns sinister.

Jack Torrance, a recovering alcoholic, takes a winter caretaking job at the remote Overlook Hotel. His wife Wendy and son Danny accompany him, hoping for a fresh start. As the snow seals the hotel, the family finds themselves cut off from the world, while strange and frightening presences stir. Jack’s growing agitation, tied to alcohol and the hotel’s eerie atmosphere, threatens the fragile bond with his family. The film blends psychological dread with supernatural elements, exploring isolation, family tension, and the erosion of sanity. Through subtle set pieces and unsettling imagery, Kubrick builds a slow‑burn horror that unsettles viewers long after the credits roll.

What to know

The film runs roughly 2 hours and 26 minutes on the longest cut.
Jack Torrance is portrayed as a recovering alcoholic struggling with his past.
Danny possesses a psychic ability called “shining” that lets him see ghosts.
The Overlook Hotel is a constructed set inspired by real Colorado hotels.
The film’s tone blends psychological horror with supernatural dread.
Silence and minimal music heighten tension throughout the movie.
The ending leaves the audience with an ambiguous, symbolic image.

Watch if

If you enjoy atmospheric, psychological horror that slowly builds dread and offers a nuanced look at family breakdown and isolation, you’ll appreciate Kubrick’s masterful direction and chilling performance.

Skip if

If you prefer fast‑paced action or explicit gore, The Shining’s slow burn and subtle scares may not satisfy your expectations.

horror elementspsychological elementssuspensefulslow burnmature themessome goredark toneintense action

Setting: The Overlook Hotel

The film opens with the vast, snow‑covered landscape that frames the towering Overlook Hotel, a sprawling set built at Elstree Studios. Its architecture, inspired by Colorado landmarks, creates a sense of grandeur and isolation. From the moment the Torrances arrive, the hotel’s opulence masks a sinister undercurrent, hinting at the psychological journey ahead.

Jack’s Transformation

Jack Torrance’s character arc is marked by a gradual descent. Initially a hopeful writer, his alcoholism resurfaces as the isolation sets in, and the hotel’s unseen presence nudges him toward aggression. Kubrick captures this shift through subtle visual cues, lingering shots, and Jack’s increasingly erratic behavior, setting the film’s tense rhythm.

Danny’s Visions

Danny’s psychic gift, known as 'shining,' allows him to perceive past and future events. He sees the hotel’s history and encounters ghostly twins, fueling his fear. Kubrick’s use of color, lighting, and sound design emphasizes Danny’s isolation, making his visions both a narrative device and a source of mounting dread.

Wendy’s Struggle

Wendy, Jack’s wife, wrestles with growing unease as her husband’s mood shifts. She balances her role as a mother with the fear of impending violence, while the hotel’s oppressive atmosphere magnifies her anxiety. Her perseverance becomes crucial as the family’s safety hangs in the balance.

The Maze and Symbols

The hedge maze becomes an allegory for the characters’ internal confusion. Its labyrinthine design mirrors Jack’s descent into madness, while the endless corridors suggest an unending cycle of fear. Kubrick uses the maze to reinforce themes of isolation, psychological entrapment, and the relentless pull of the hotel’s malevolence.

Climactic Confrontations

The film builds to a tense finale where family and supernatural forces collide. Jack’s violent obsession peaks, while Wendy and Danny fight for survival. The climax is marked by striking imagery, sudden movement, and the chilling echo of 'redrum,' underscoring the film’s blend of psychological and physical horror.

Final Twist

The concluding scene presents a haunting image that defies simple explanation. A photograph of Jack from 1921 appears, implying a loop of time and possession. Kubrick leaves the audience with unresolved questions, suggesting that the hotel consumes those who enter and that the cycle will repeat itself.

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